Boat Builder Central

Cracker Larry wrote: On my OD18 I used a heavy rubber rail from Taco. It's like a bumper car bumper.

Were you able to heat, and bend around a tight radius? Around the bow? Or did you cut/ miter that joint?

Thanks, CL. I really like it. About the rub rail. I found that most GF/ XF builders are using no rub rail. Has anyone regretted their decision. It seems like the plywood/ fiberglass rub rail would get beaten to hell. MajorGator used what looks like a solid rigid. I couldn't find pics to see if you w...

I dry fit the decks. The bow deck is 60" long, and the rear is 48". There's plenty of room, and I really like the wide gunwales. They're about 9" wide at the rear, and widen out to almost 11" wide at the bow deck. That was as wide as I could get them with the pieces of plywood th...

I will do WillG. I dry fit the bow deck, and there is very little curve to it. About 1/16th", in 24". So it looks like there will be no additional bracing needed. I'm just making plain doors, with no gutters, or seals. Any water will drain down to the sole, and overboard.

I finished fairing the bow compartments, and applied the first coat of pigmented epoxy. There is a little orange peel (similar to the graphite coating on the bottom) It was about 75 degrees in the garage, this afternoon. I'll knock this coat down with 120 grit, then roll it out in the sun, to get it...

I happen to have a 5 hp Honda hanging on a bracket in my garage. I can bring it down there and hook it up for sure! :D Bring it, we'll put it in the river and you can take it for a test run :) I dare you.... They have cardboard boat races here in Hernando Beach every year. I haven't been able to ca...

Looking real good man. Bout time you got back to work :D This place has stainless parts at pretty reasonable prices. I used them for cleats and such. http://www.marinepartdepot.com/index.html I have three of these: http://www.marinepartdepot.com/ststflhali.html I was going to use them on my build b...

Wow very clean job 8) Yes it is. Both clean and strong. 8) Got enough storage to smuggle illegals I think :lol: Thanks guys. That means a lot, folowing both of your builds. Yes, a lot of storage. A choice I'm wondering about now. Stainless hinges, latches, and premade hatches must be made of gold. ...

jacquesmm wrote:That is going one very strong and stiff GF18. Lots of framing and very clean epoxy work, nice.

Thanks, JM. I really want to get it on a scale. I'm curious how heavy it is.

I haven't posted any progress in a while. I've been working on the boat, a little at a time. The projects keep getting smaller, and more spread out, which is convenient for short work sessions. I have most of the frame work finished, and have been fairing the inside. There is a LOT of surface area, ...