Breaking down the problem.

It would be dishonest of me to say that I don't have a final design in mind but I want to take some time to define the things I want the boat to do. This may make eventual solutions seem more rational.

So, we have the rather clumsy-sounding statement:

'A mobile platform from which I can enjoy being on the water'

I have used a 'mindmap' to break things down a bit further.

First let's tackle stuff that I have lumped together in 'WATER':

• What water?
• River - e.g. the upper Thames
• Estuary - e.g. the Thames Estuary
• Harbours - e.g. Chichester
• Coastal - e.g. Solent to Weymouth
• Shallow Water
• Draft no more than 300mm
• Preferably no underwater appendages
• Seaworthiness/Seakeeping
• Resistant to capsize
• Self bailing
• Rightable single-handed
• Easy re-boarding from the water
• Low tendency to blow away when capsized
• Protects outboard motor from immersion when capsized
• As large as possible 'footprint on the water'
• Ability to carry and easily deploy/recover appropriate ground tackle

We can already see that there are some juicy contradictions to resolve here, with plenty more to come.....

Now, 'MOBILE'.  This needs to cover both land and water.  So:

• On Land
• Goes on top of the car
• Maximum weight 60kg
• No individual piece heavier than 40kg
• Launching trolley stows aboard
• Fits through a 780mm wide gate

• On Water
• Propulsion
• Oars/paddle
• Sail
• Motor
• Outboard up to 6hp
• Preferably with remote tank
• Peformance
• Under sail/human power - 3knots cruising
• Under sail/motor power - 8 knots cruising
• Must be able to navigate by day or night
• Steering
• I don't want to be tied to the helm constantly
• No rudder approach
• Inherent self steering ability
• Guaras
• Paddle/Oar steering
• Motor steering
• Steer by sail trim
• With rudder approach
• Tillerpilot
• Wind vane

Oh no - things are getting a bit weird here aren't they?  I lurk on quite a few boating fora and they are full of people scoffing at people who expect too much of a cartopper.  I don't care - I want to see if I can have it all before I get into compromises.


Moving on - to 'ENJOY':

• Comfort
• Sit, stand or lie down when underway
• Protection from elements
• Wind and spray
• No need for wetsuit or drysuit
• Rain protection (possibly not when underway)
• Stability
• Stay out of the water unless I choose to go in
• No need to constantly balance the boat
• I don't want to have to spend every second sailing the boat
• Visibility
• High eye line so that I can actually see over things like river banks

Evidently I don't believe that travelling on a small boat should be a horrific experience demanding constant fiddling about.

So, lastly, 'PLATFORM':

• Sufficient area for:
• Sailing and rowing
• Camping
• Passenger x 1 or:
• Labrador x 1

• Platform is above waterline.

Phew, what a lot of demands!