Boat Builder Central

That’s awesome Larry!!! Great to hear from you, hope you are doing well.

I’m currently building the XF-20. I’m in Corpus Christi and fish the Upper Laguna Madre to Baffin. I see a lot of tower boats. The platform of this boat matches or exceeds the boats I see. The Shoalwaters, Majeks, Transports, Haynies. I would put a tower on it with no worries of stability. I raised...

The XF-20 platform is super stable. The same hull or a variant is a very common sight in the Big Bend area of Florida. Many have half towers for sight fishing flats fish. I see no problem with a raised console or half tower, just understand it’s not a 70mph Pathfinder or Lake and Bay type boat.

The steering has gone out on No Excuse. When looking at how to remove the helm I discovered where Larry had grounded the helm and the T top to the main ground bus bar. Does this help? I seriously doubt the ground to the battery would make much difference if the t-top or helm gets zapped by lightnin...

The steering has gone out on No Excuse. When looking at how to remove the helm I discovered where Larry had grounded the helm and the T top to the main ground bus bar. Does this help? I seriously doubt the ground to the battery would make much difference if the t-top or helm gets zapped by lightnin...

A LOT of sail boats have that wheel. Or all steel wheels. I can’t imagine you’re at more risk than a giant, floating lightning rod. I did not enjoy holding the wheel under the vessels hoghest point. You could also keep a thick pair of rubber gloves onboard. :D The flash is also a great test of one’...

Florida has some pretty good lighting in the summer. Been on an aluminum hull cat boat when lightning was popping the water close enough to see steam rising. I was working in a SunTrust bank in Temple Terrace, Florida in about July, 2002. No front door and the BR window at the drive up wasn’t in yet...

I see what you are asking, I’m a little slow today.
Yes, the epoxy sealed holes will work just fine with a plug.
I’ve got several done that way on the bulkheads of “bare bones”. I can find a pic if you want?

Cockpit scuppers on my XF20. Above the waterline and too big for a standard drain plug. I over drilled, filled and re-drilled.

Nice looking work. 8) It’s a big accomplishment to get where you are at. For the record, that center strake would not have made a spits difference if you had ran it to the tunnel. The water coming out of the tunnel is so confused it literally doesn’t matter. Once you get the boat up on plane for the...