me too please
Building boats from Hourston glascraft molds
- Thread starter RDale
- Start date
me too please
RogersonCrusoe
Well-Known Member
Definitely very excited to see this. Hourston's are always on the list, but the ceiling height is a big bummer. would love to see 6'6 height with no drop between inside and outside 
I'll start saving up for a 20'!
I'll start saving up for a 20'!
Sir Reel
Well-Known Member
I’ve been wondering when somebody was going to do this. With so much respect for the product and a proven hull makes for a much easier startup and sell.
However Hourston’s are known for their thick, heavy, and solid fiberglass hulls. With modern boat building techniques the hull could be much thinner and lighter requiring less horsepower but maybe not as solid as a ride. Will be interesting to watch the development
However Hourston’s are known for their thick, heavy, and solid fiberglass hulls. With modern boat building techniques the hull could be much thinner and lighter requiring less horsepower but maybe not as solid as a ride. Will be interesting to watch the development
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
I’m curious how heavy they’ll make them as well...
The security admittedly is definitely a plus, although less of a concern for folks that don't moor their boats for long periods of time (most boaters I would argue). That sort of set up frankly is also nice if one uses the boat a lot during the winter for prawning or in the fall to go to remote hunting locations.
However, in the summer the ability to open up the entire back for maximum airflow, an open atmosphere between driver and people on the back deck, and quick access to the rods is ideal in my opinion, and eliminates the need for a second steering station out back (and the associated extra electronics which often accompany that) which a lot of Alaskan bulkhead style boats now seem to have.
On boats with a quality drop down curtain and a diesel heater I really haven't had a lot of problems with heat in cold fishing temps to be a problem though.
Rain City
Crew Member
It's just better overall. Open the door if you want a breeze.
cracked_ribs
Well-Known Member
I like an open boat, but the one thing I really value in an Alaskan bulkhead is that when it's seriously rough you can control where the water goes better.
Not much more distracting than piloting a boat with a few inches of water around your ankles.
That said, mathematically I think the free surface problem of water on deck is actually worse if it's only on half the length, but it's twice as deep. That's one thing I don't mind about center step-down decks like hourstons and eagles...if you put a bilge pump in the step-down and the water is confined to the center, it gets a bit trapped and functions a little more like ballast until it's pumped out. Of course, if you're really pitching non-stop, it won't stay put. But side to side roll, it can actually hold it better than you'd think. If it's down low and centered like that it'll dampen the roll a bit or at least not make it worse, whereas if it's on a flat deck and won't leave, even a few inches is deadly.
Anyway to me the ideal setup is a deck that's a few inches above the water line, with big scuppers. But I don't mind a step down if it's done right.
I admit to having done a lot of dumb things in boats in bad weather and my concerns may not be... representative of the market at large.
Not much more distracting than piloting a boat with a few inches of water around your ankles.
That said, mathematically I think the free surface problem of water on deck is actually worse if it's only on half the length, but it's twice as deep. That's one thing I don't mind about center step-down decks like hourstons and eagles...if you put a bilge pump in the step-down and the water is confined to the center, it gets a bit trapped and functions a little more like ballast until it's pumped out. Of course, if you're really pitching non-stop, it won't stay put. But side to side roll, it can actually hold it better than you'd think. If it's down low and centered like that it'll dampen the roll a bit or at least not make it worse, whereas if it's on a flat deck and won't leave, even a few inches is deadly.
Anyway to me the ideal setup is a deck that's a few inches above the water line, with big scuppers. But I don't mind a step down if it's done right.
I admit to having done a lot of dumb things in boats in bad weather and my concerns may not be... representative of the market at large.
ab1752
Crew Member
My hourston has a self bailing deck and you step-down into the cuddy. Ive had this thing in some stupid places and even though its a soft top, I've never had any water hit me in the feet while running the boat. I figure if that happened I have bigger things to worry about.
I really appreciate not having a step up or down in this 26' hulls deck. I can trip over enough things all on my own.
I really appreciate not having a step up or down in this 26' hulls deck. I can trip over enough things all on my own.
cracked_ribs
Well-Known Member
Yeah, you're pretty up against it if the waves are sweeping your roof. That's the only way I've gotten really water in my Double Eagle.
Fishin
Well-Known Member
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kaelc
Crew Member
I wonder how the search for labour to build these will go. We get requests from as far away as Nova Scotia for fibreglass guys. Probably some strong guys down in WA working for Northwest Marine Industry and then more on the east coast. Be great to have a strong BC fibreglass boat builder again.
Flyfishinggeek
Member
Any up dates on production and sales?
Hi. We are working hard to get a website ready for early January and have our first 2 boats booked for April starts with several boats per month after that. We plan to have a basic online ordering process with the goal of keeping the cost down vs dealers and inventory etc. the sales will be factory direct with popular options offered to allow every buyer to build the right package for their use. The base package will allow for upgrades to power and a choice of outboard manufacturer. Other options will include colored hull, hard tops and canvas packages, electronics, etc.
Sorry for the delayed response. After nearly a year of trying to put a deal together in BC we have partnered with the guys at NMI in Bellingham to build our boats. You are correct about the state of the BC boat building industry.
yed response
If
anyone has suggestions or feedback we are still developing the build plan. Boats will certainly be wood free with updated interiors and electronics. The plan is to have a great all purpose west coast platform offering value / seaworthiness and functionality. Not to say they won’t look great but we expect these boats to work hard. It could be fishing and crabbing, commuting or heading offshore. The boats will be built to perform. I want a 26’ with twins, a hardtop with big skylight and a nice overnight package.
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