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“Hot & Cold Folding Doors”
The
late Reg Butler, my instructor at the Landing School of Boatbuilding
and Design, had a saying for boats that were loaded down with every
creature comfort known to man. He used to say the boat was equipped
with “ . . . hot and cold folding doors.” Since that
time in the mid 80's, boats have probably surpassed even his wildest
dreams of bloated extravagance. Does
a 20' center console really need three or four fish-boxes when everyone
is
pushing for catch and release? How many pumps does your 20 footer have,
1
. . . 2 . . . 3 . . . more? How often do you burn through that 120
gallons
of fuel in your bilge during a days fishing? Do you really need a
$15,000,
225 hp outboard to push a 20' boat?
Now I have no problem with boats being built and equipped this way, although I would never own one of them myself. Each boater has to decide for him or herself how much is too much. But if you are contemplating building a small sportfishing boat, give a little thought to which items you need and which items you want. It may be helpful to make a list of wants and a list of needs. Use your lists to pare things down to a more manageable level. In the end, you may find that less is more. Less cost, less weight, less maintenance, less complexity . . . more speed, more fuel economy, more time and most important, more fun!
Boating is growing more costly and more complicated every day. With our everyday lives already a mass of complication, confusion and challenges, do we really need to carry those things into our boating time as well? Sometimes I feel a little like a man out of time, yearning for the days when boats were simpler and more efficient. Then I wake from my daydream and remember how much better the average boat is today! Maybe the best compromise is a boat that combines the simplicity of the past, with the technology of today. Try to keep that ideal in mind as you choose the design for your next boat.
Timm Smith
February 17, 2003
Now I have no problem with boats being built and equipped this way, although I would never own one of them myself. Each boater has to decide for him or herself how much is too much. But if you are contemplating building a small sportfishing boat, give a little thought to which items you need and which items you want. It may be helpful to make a list of wants and a list of needs. Use your lists to pare things down to a more manageable level. In the end, you may find that less is more. Less cost, less weight, less maintenance, less complexity . . . more speed, more fuel economy, more time and most important, more fun!
Boating is growing more costly and more complicated every day. With our everyday lives already a mass of complication, confusion and challenges, do we really need to carry those things into our boating time as well? Sometimes I feel a little like a man out of time, yearning for the days when boats were simpler and more efficient. Then I wake from my daydream and remember how much better the average boat is today! Maybe the best compromise is a boat that combines the simplicity of the past, with the technology of today. Try to keep that ideal in mind as you choose the design for your next boat.
Timm Smith
February 17, 2003
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Copyright 2003 Smith
Marine Design. All Rights Reserved.
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All materials on this site are the property of Smith Marine Design and any unauthorized use without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.