Good point. I know the performance characteristics are none too crisp. My
plan is to build a cruiser for the Intracoastal Waterway on the eastern
coast of the US. The sizes that I've seen, and prefer, are in the 28-32 foot
range, although I know there are some much bigger in the UK. Some even in
the upper 50's!. The small diesel engine should be pretty efficient at
cruise speeds. Perhaps some rudder modification and a bow thruster might
help handling. If I can only find a good hull.....

James

Before you do so, please check how the lifeboat type you plan to convert,
react
when the the gear is in reverse ; quite a few I seen of old types double
ender
lifeboats work very bad in a crowded harbour as it seem the propellor work
in
air when reverse.