FishyFish Tolman Alaskan Skiff and Boat Building Forums

Hei, I am building a widebody in Norway, and have put some thinking into the cabin design. First you have to remember that the widebody is not that big and the hull is quite sleek. I will have a shortened cuddy and then a shortened wheelhouse. When I first started the build and saw the dimensions take shape, I was impressed by the size, but now, after the flip and building the cuddy, I am not so impressed any more. Of course, I love the boat, but it is not that big. The most important step was to simulate different solutions for the interior, using cardboard. This said I will try to give you some ideas about what is possible on a widebody:
Cabin size will cost you deck space. Of course, you can build a widebody for traveling and with berths, but then you will not get any decent fishing deck.
Cabin size will change the boats proportions, both it’s looks, but also weight distribution, center of gravity and how it reacts to wind. Once again some arguments to stay reasonable.
And its important to realize how much space you can win by adding some width. So yes, the standard will be much smaller on the inside. And the jumbo is a whole new category.

In my mind the widebody will work fine (and look fine) with a small cabin. I would not go for the standard, even if it is doable. And I doubt that you can build a very comfortable cabin on a boat of this size. The cabin will be more like a small camper van. Lots of multifunctional details crammed into a confined space. I will accept that, but I don’t know how that will fit your needs.

All the Tolmans handle great. But all reports I have red indicate that seaworthiness increases when you move from the standard to the widebody or even bigger. There is no single design detail, but simply a little more width, weight, bigger engine, and so on. Just all these details adding up to make you feel safer.

Good luck Peter

Neither the Standard or Widebody were designed for extensive, heavier, cabins as you've stated ... and the Standard wasn't designed for any cabin at all.  THAT said, you CAN do it, but just keep it very light and mostly an open shell - Renn's last Jumbo build had cabin sides that were only 1/8" thick if I recall, and it served the purpose.  You just don't want to get top-heavy and/or invite too many windage issues (docking, drifting) - the wind blowing the boat around.  You may consider a Bimini type arrangement as well.  They are super-light and serve the purpose as well ... You could do it on a Standard or a Widebody.  The Widebody is fine with a light house/cuddy on it ... well-proven.

Give the boat a cuddy and nice windshield, then do this - that's what I would do:


bd

I agree with TananaBrian that a biminy could be a good solution for sun/spray shade as well as tight garage quarters.  Renn addresses your questions regarding the capacity/operational differences between the three hulls quite thoroughly in the book. The internal capacity of the WB is 15% greater than the Standard.  The WB accommodates a cuddy and pilothouse quite well, especially if you keep it light and minimalistic, and you can certainly build out a larger more tricked out cabin on the WB if you want to suffer the additional weight and windage.  If you want space for sink, head, and other such nonsense then the Jumbo is the better size option.  For reference: my pilothouse provides the same sun coverage (probably a good bit more) and interior space as the biminy Brian depicted.  My skiff is not decked, so I gain (or, rather, don't lose) about 6" of headroom there. I kept my roof heights as low as possible/practical. I'm 5'9" and sized everything to fit me; I can just sit upright in my cuddy, and have 2"+ head clearance at the wheel.  A 6'+ tall person can comfortably move around in the pilothouse and stand erect in the center without knocking her/his head when it's rough.  Inside the cuddy, I have a twin-width bunk on the port side; a small gimballed alcohol stove and lots of storage on the starboard.  My 22' WB so configured when trailered fits through a 9' x 9' door with a few inches to spare on top, and can be squeezed into a 28' deep bay.  Those dimensions should be considered to be pretty much the minimum.  Most folks don't seem overly concerned with weight, but I was/am, and my skiff is light enough that I can tow it with a first generation Tacoma.

Would you consider going that far out with an 18 - 20 ft standard body? Curious on your thoughts.

Do a search on KEN BEDOE of San Diego CA  not sure if his posts are still here but his first boat was a 20ft standard consol skiff for spanking tuna 50+ miles out after 5 or so yrs he moved up to the widebody with higher sides and up turned bow now referred to as the
Bedoe Bow.