With the overall success and, amount of enquirys regarding the Mushulu 12, the most common question asked was, could the design be made larger to create a larger sister to around 14ft or 4.26m length overall. So after careful re-designing taking into consideration for simplicity in construction, stability and more importantly- seaworthiness, we designed the Mushulu 14.
Overview
The Mushulu 14 is designed to be the larger sister to the 12 ft version. She is designed as a fishing vessel suited to sheltered and semi-sheltered waters. The Mushulu 14 plans are large scale drawings printed on 2 ft by 3 ft sheets (or D size). The CAD plans are drawn to a very high degree of accuracy in both metric and imperial measurements. Included also is a building manual and material list.
Overall, the Mushulu 14 offers a great opportunity for those weekend fishing adventures, designed to be tough, reliable and seaworthy for those who love to venture out on the water.
Boat Specifications
Length of Hull: 14ft (4.26m)
Beam: 6ft - 0in (1.83m)
Depth: 2ft - 8in (.781m)
Freeboard : 1ft- 8in (.504m)
Transom Shaft Length: L/S (20" or 508mm)
Weight (boat only): 175 lbs (79kg)
Min Rec. HP: 15 hp
Rec. KW: 11.2 Kw
Max. HP: 30 hp
Max. KW: 22.4 Kw
Max. Main Motor Weight: 143 lbs (65kg)
Number of People (Basic): 5
(NOTE: 1 person = 1 adult or 2 children)
Max Load (Basic): 1178 lbs ( 534kg)
Design Brief
The brief for the Mushulu 14 , (a composite/plywood design) was it had to be based on the Mushulu 12, only larger. It had to be lightweight for its size, easily handled by 2 people and quick and simple in it's construction. It was decided to increase the length overall to 14 ft or 4.26m, as this would keep the overall design simple. With this in mind, the overall beam was increased to 6 ft (1.82m) and the freeboard raised to 1ft-8in (508mm). Overall, the Mushulu 14 had to be tough and rugged, yet simple in it's design and construction without the added "toys" to complicate the design. Most importantly, you had to feel secure when out and about, whether it be fishing or just plain exploring. But overall, it had to be simple.
Arrangements:
The Mushulu 14 is designed for seaworthiness and people's safety in mind. With her high topsides and comfortable seating heights of 457mm (18"), the seats are designed to be full buoyancy compartments, capable of supporting the boat in the event of swamping.
The forward compartment seat, not only doubles as a buoyancy compartment, but also a storage compartment for all the necessary boat gear (anchors/ warps etc). The rear seat, moved away and forward of the transom, allows for a sloped engine well between the rear seat and the transom. This allows for easy and comfortable handling of the boat without feeling like the motor is tucked up under your armpit.
The spacing between the aft seating arrangement and the middle seating arrangement is 1076mm (42"or 3ft-6in), providing ample leg room or area for those eskys of cold drinks and food. Between the middle and forward seating arrangement is 889mm (35"). For those long days out fishing or on excursions, seating width is paramount in order to be comfortable. With the Mushulu 14, the seating width is 346mm (14") in width!
Overall the Mushulu 14 is designed to be very comfortable, stable and seaworthy, and most importantly-practical.
Performance
Running through HullSpeed (a part of our Maxsurf ship modeling program suite), the result is a light hull built in our standard material epoxy-glass-plywood composite construction. The deadrise is 58 degrees at the cutwater, about 16 midship and 10 degrees at the transom, the Mushulu 14 has enough vee to handle choppy seas without problems and her moderate beam produces great stability and lift for planing at low speeds.
As the chine rise is very progressive, the Mushulu 14 does not have an obvious hump in its transition from displacement speeds to planing, resulting in a good moderate speed boat. Overall, the Mushulu 14 is able to maintain moderate speeds between planing and displacement without pushing a huge bow wave.
Materials
The following list of materials is approximate and intended for calculation of approximate costs. We offer no guarantees of accuracy.
The list is for all timber in the construction of hull, deck and interior, including building stocks, temporary bracing etc. Allowance has been made in the quantities for about 10% wastage.
These figures allow for building with 1/4" (6mm) & 3/8" (9mm) Meranti, Hoop pine or Gaboon plywood for the hull and interior.
MDF or PARTICLE BOARD 8ft by 4ft (2.44 x1.22m) 12mm (1/2") - 2 sheets
MARINE PLYWOOD 8'x4' (2.44x 1.22m - Pacific Maple or Gaboon)
6mm (1/4") - 7 sheets
9mm (3/8") - 1 sheet (Hoop Pine or similar) False floor option - you'll need and extra sheet of 9mm (3/8") plywood
Hardwood. 30 x 12mm (1-1/4"x3/4") (sheer clamps) -10 m (30')
Hoop Pine, Oregon or similar, 12 x 19mm (1/2"x 3/4") (Headers) 7m (23ft)
RESIN & GLASS (for coatings and reinforced areas)
Epoxy resin & Hardner - approx 18 kg
200g/sq.m cloth fabric - 25 sq.m
Glue powder 5 kg
Fairing powder 5 kg
2 Litres of Part A High Density expandable foam
2 Litres of Part B High Density expandable foam
Construction
The requirement of the Mushulu 14 was simple. It had to be light, quick to build, easy on the pocket, and yet still retain its strength, seaworthiness and performance. The Mushulu 14, designed to ABS Power Boat scantlings, is built of Marine plywood Sandwiched in epoxy, and directional E-glass fabrics using the Stitch & Tape method, the overall design results in a stronger, tougher and more durable "Composite" boat, while still retaining its lightweight construction.
The Mushulu 14 boat (hull only) weighs approx 64kg (142 lbs) When compared to an alloy boat of the same dimensions, the Mushulu 14 weighs approx 50 kg (112 lbs) less!
Like the Mushulu 12, the Mushulu 14 is designed with full seat bulkheads, every "compartment" is self contained. This means if you happen to spill water or fuel in the aft compartment, it stays there! It doesn't "swish" around the rest of the boat, covering everything and making an oily mess. The same applies to all areas within the boat. Everything is contained!
As far as building is concerned and the simplicity in its construction, the Mushulu 14 is built and constructed in the same way as it's smaller sister.
Overall, the Mushulu 14 is lighter and can be built for just a fraction of that of a purchased alloy boat of similar dimensions
Plans
Click the image above for a Plan sample
Plans for the Mushulu 14 are extremely comprehensive, with 6 sheets (D size or 2ft by 3ft) of drawings, complete written specifications and builders manual. Back up service is also provided as needed. Please read our Back Up Policy. This is an ideal project for the first time boat builder.
