Motor launches have undergone a big revival in the last few years. Plenty of people like to tinker with the petrol engines that suit the smaller designs, and they need a boat to put it in. Here is a range of craft to fit the different motors.

The bigger boats take a diesel, an economic way to cruise. The 8m design, with its outboard in a well, is another means of getting around on a smaller budget.

Realistically you are looking at up to a years work on a part time basis before the smaller craft are ready to launch, and another year at least for the bigger designs. But it's very satisfying to put the time in and thoroughly know both the structure and the mechanics of the craft .

Plans include lines, construction and details and a full size template sheet for the mould stations and profile, plus marks for a lapstrake lineout.

Working with WoodCraft boats, here is our first 4.26m launch on launching day.

At 4.50m long and 1.65m beam, the single chine plywood hull also takes a small petrol engine, but has more volume to take a heavier load. 10mm ply is used around timber framing and longitudinals.

The plans include lines, construction and arrangement and full size templates for the mould stations and stem profile.

The elegant 16 foot canoe stern launch slips along nicely. The shape suits strip plank construction, but it could be done in lapstrake as well. 10mm cedar and 300 gsm fabric are recommended for the planking. The 4-5hp petrol engines are ideal for this boat. At 4.86m by 1.15m wide she is big enough to carry 4 people comfortably. A raised deck option is also included.

Plans include lines, construction and layout, and full size templates for mould stations, stem and stern profile.

The 17 foot Snapper Boat as a launch carries a good load in an open boat configuration. 5.20m long by 2.10m beam is a handy size for 4 or more people. A small petrol engine fits in well, and a box table can be built around it. Construction is either 12mm WR Cedar strip plank and reinforcements, or 12mm plywood glued lapstrake.

Plans cover lines, construction and details, and full size templates for the mould stations and stem. Plans are only available from Woodcraft Boats P/L. PO Box 515 Leichhardt, NSW Australia 2040 mobile 0412 039 589

$300.00, postage extra.

Banjo, Mike Maskell's well known Snapper Boat in Queensland.

Cinema is a classic style of launch, with a cuddy cabin or raised deck and wheelhouse, 5.5m long and 2.15m wide. Quite big enough for day trips and even weekend camping trips, she takes a 5-8hp engine. 15mm WR Cedar and 400gsm reinforcements with sawn floors and some laminated frames are the basis of the strip plank structure, while another option is 12mm thick ply glued lapstrake.

Plans cover lines, construction and details, plus three sheets which join together of full size templates for the mould stations and stem.

The 6m launch does much more than Cinema for only a 1/2m extra length, and a beam of 2.4m. She fits in a V-berth forward, a bench is possible on one side, and with the longer cabin enclosing more of the cockpit, it becomes a good weekender. This design, displacing 1000 kgs, is big enough to accommodate the small 9-12hp diesels.

Plans include lines, construction and arrangement, details, and offsets for the hull and cabin or cuddy.

The prototype 6m launch at TAFE Port Adelaide SA

Gymea Bay about to be launched in Brisbane

The 6 metre outboard launch shares the same layout and styling but is designed around a 15 to 20hp 4 stroke outboard motor. The construction method is different too, using a single chine hull form that can be done in plywood, featuring a cold-moulded bottom and lapstrake or sheet ply topsides.  Strip plank is also an option, and the dimensions are similar to the inboard hull, but with the outboard it has only 400mm draft.

Plans include two drawings for the construction and layout, and offsets and details for the hull, cabin and cockpit.

$275.00

August 2007 and the first one is launched, 25hp outboard, 6 knots 1/2 throttle, 11 knots full throttle in calm conditions with 2 aboard.

Boatcraft Pacific Qld commissioned two launch designs, the 8m outboard powered plywood hull, and the 10m ply or strip plank launch. They are based on the style of the Moreton Bay cruisers and Halvorsen launches.

The 8m Motor Launch is trailerable at 2.44m width, and has a draft of 0.45m. Displacement is 1300kgs.The bottom panels are 12mm ply, while the topsides are 9mm ply, all reinforced with a 300gsm fabric. A 30hp 4 stroke outboard is mounted in an enclosed well inside the transom. There is a double berth forward, portable toilet to one side, and the cockpit seats also form single berths.

Plans include lines, arrangement and construction, details and a comprehensive set of offsets. These plans are only available through Boatcraft Pacific Qld. http://www.boatcraft.com.au

$660.00, postage extra

The bigger 10m launch is a live-aboard craft, with a double berth cabin up front, an enclosed head, a separate galley, and interior saloon. The plywood construction uses 2 x 9mm layers for the bottom and 2 x 6mm layers for the sides, with 400gsm exterior reinforcement. The strip plank structure, with a radiused chine, uses an 18mm core and 400 or 600 gsm fabric reinforcements.

Plans include lines, arrangement and construction, details and a comprehensive set of offsets. These plans are only available through Boatcraft Pacific Qld. http://www.boatcraft.com.au

$715.00, Postage extra