I've learnt the Harmonica design loosely fits a plethora of monikers. (Tiny/Micro) Houseboat, Shanty Boat, canal Boat and Jonboat / Johnboat. All good, but most reflect their respective locations, whether UK or USA. In Australia it would probably be called a Tiny House Boat.
Anyway, the name Jonboat is unfamiliar to me and I decided to do some research. Wikipedia describes the boat as those seen on the "Swampmen" (?) tv program, about 20-feet long, aluminium, bench seated and powered by a massive outboard engine. I suspect that the similarities lay in the hull profile, flat with a sweep up at the bow. But there's bugger all else, no hard top, relaxed pace of life and so on. But the website advertising the disadvantages of a Jonboat got my attention. Just to be shore I wasn't building a floating coffin!
Here goes, the top five disadvantages:-
1. Inability to cut through heavy waves like a vee-hull does.
2. Lack of comfort due to rigid movement and lack of cushions.
3. Not very sporty due to their rough ride at speed.
4. Inability to carry a large (200hp) engine in shorter boats.
5. Engine noise unrestrained by engine box.
Well, sounds like if you want to poke around in calm waters of canals, streams, creeks, rivers, lagoons, lakes and harbours, and don't care to travel at rapid speeds, this boat is ideal.
The designer, John Michalak does advise that the Harmonica is best kept in calm waters. Apparently, the solid, slab sides and "birdwatcher roof" are actually safety features in that they allow the boat to survive a roll or partial capsize, without sinking. The builder of Flipper installed foam floatation in the corners of the hull, but Michalak says few buildershave done that.
Anyway, the name Jonboat is unfamiliar to me and I decided to do some research. Wikipedia describes the boat as those seen on the "Swampmen" (?) tv program, about 20-feet long, aluminium, bench seated and powered by a massive outboard engine. I suspect that the similarities lay in the hull profile, flat with a sweep up at the bow. But there's bugger all else, no hard top, relaxed pace of life and so on. But the website advertising the disadvantages of a Jonboat got my attention. Just to be shore I wasn't building a floating coffin!
Here goes, the top five disadvantages:-
1. Inability to cut through heavy waves like a vee-hull does.
2. Lack of comfort due to rigid movement and lack of cushions.
3. Not very sporty due to their rough ride at speed.
4. Inability to carry a large (200hp) engine in shorter boats.
5. Engine noise unrestrained by engine box.
Well, sounds like if you want to poke around in calm waters of canals, streams, creeks, rivers, lagoons, lakes and harbours, and don't care to travel at rapid speeds, this boat is ideal.
The designer, John Michalak does advise that the Harmonica is best kept in calm waters. Apparently, the solid, slab sides and "birdwatcher roof" are actually safety features in that they allow the boat to survive a roll or partial capsize, without sinking. The builder of Flipper installed foam floatation in the corners of the hull, but Michalak says few buildershave done that.
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