SLITHER
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a 17' or 18' inboard or outboard sled boat
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Build in
PLYWOOD or ALUMINUM
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Covered foredeck or Pass-Through Windshield
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CATEGORY: Jet Sleds & Whitewater River
Boats
CONSTRUCTION - Both Designs:
Sheet plywood planking with wood framing or welded
aluminum
6º OR 12º Aft Vee-Bottom Options
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Characteristics
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Length overall
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17' or 18'
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Beam
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7'0"
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Bottom width
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5'6"
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Hull depth (fore/aft)
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35"/30"
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Cockpit depth aft
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24"
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Hull weight (approx.)
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700 lbs.
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Fuel capacity
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30 gals.
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Power (outboard HP)
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50 to 165
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For whitewater river running, not much matches our SLITHER
VEE sleds. (See SNAKE SHOOTER for a larger version.) The
SLITHER design includes two V-bottom options. For ultimate
shallow water use, build the 6° transom vee (12° bow
entry). For deeper rivers or more open waters such as lakes,
bays, sounds, or other choppy waters, build the 12°
transom vee (20° bow entry). In all cases you get a beamy
hull deep enough for safety, with generous full-length flare
for dry running.
With SLITHER you can build with standard covered foredeck or
with BOW COCKPIT and pass-thru on the Aluminum Version. Power
options with both designs detail single 20" or 25"
shaft length outboard (jet pump retrofit or prop optional),
or stern-mounted inboard with jet or I/O. Weight limits are
750 lbs. for jets and 675 lbs. for I/O's.
All plans include FULL SIZE PATTERNS for frame member outer
contours; NO LOFTING REQUIRED! Instructions especially for
amateurs include material listings. Plans also include easy
methods for altering boat length. You can build SLITHER at
either 17' or 18' long.
Separate plans are available for sheet plywood or welded
aluminum construction for both designs. Plywood hulls total
1/2" bottoms and 3/8" sides over a rugged
framework, with fiberglass coverings on the outside. Aluminum
hulls have 3/16" bottoms and 1/8" sides over
transverse frames reinforced by standard extrusion
longitudinals.
Construction is simple yet rugged in either material. Sides
and bottom are fully developable for easy application without
special forming. Frames, transom, and stem (all taken from
pattern contours), are set upside down over a simple but
rigid form. Hull-strengthening longitudinals are then wrapped
around. Then hull sheets are leaned against this framework,
marked to shape, cut, and fastened or welded in place -
it's quick and easy even for first-timers. Yet results
can equal or exceed those found on costly production boats.
So whether you want to fish, run rapids, or tow skiers,
SLITHER can do it all. Don't forget! You can also build
your own boat trailer from our Boat Trailer Plans.
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2021