Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

First Boat, first post. whoo hoo!
I guess many a wise head will smile and nod quietly when I say that after a few years of thinking about 'building a boat', getting some plans for a 'simple' build (the FS12), that I thought I'd knock it over in a 3 week Christmas break...
hehe.
All between looking after the kids, all the jobs around the house that have waited etc etc...
Anyway, I'm learning fast but lovin it!
Was a Mid December start, and it's looking much more like a boat now I'd have to say.

What great forums! Everyone's experiences, tips and pics must have saved me days of work and quite a few bucks so far.

Oh for sure, I've still made a few wrong measurements (measure twice, cut once), glued my knees together having an afternoon nap, experienced the thrill of a smoking glue pot, experimented with self-raising cooking flour fillets when I ran out of the good stuff (just a tiny bit), and become quite addicted to buying just one or two more clamps whenever I enter a hardware store.
Seems to be a common phenomenon that I'm already starting to think of the next bigger boat already.....

Good on ya Welcome aboard. That's a good start in a few weeks. The learning curve with epoxy is quick

Seems it doesn't take long to develop the BBV (boat builders virus). It affect most of us.

As for the time frame and other "goof-ups," don't worry about those. We've all done them. I thought I would complete my first build (a V12) in a month... Four months later I finally splashed it.

Have fun and don't set a deadline.

By the way, I'm on my second build and still learning; a lot.

Thanks guys, appreciate the encouragement!

Question: i've built a mini motor well / bilge on this one.
I can't see it on Shine's pics or 'FS12 Build sticky' , but then it's not mentioned that we don't need/make one either.
Just shows some foam to block off the foam pour in that area.
Just worried also my old Johnson might drop a bit of fuel there etc from time to time... surely that's not real good on the foam there above the stringers (if that's all that was there).
Anyway - hope I'm doing it right
(I hear it's also ok to make things up as you go sometimes )

here's some pics of where I'm at with it.
(yes - adding glass to joins now)

Looks great You'll be on the water in no time.

Paul

G'day Eril. Well done on the boat mate, you're roaring along

Mick

Welcome to the club !

Enjoy the building

Bye
Bernd

night by night, join by join.....
OK so... whats the thoughts on my fillet size? I notice some have very small fine fillets..are mine too chunky? or is chunky good?



yes - i could not resist..
am modifying the middle seat as i have a nice padded seat to put just in front of rear deck. Sure, yes, i know it will suck up room... but i can get it all right on the next boat yes? hehe



Oh yes - how could i forget!!! got to mention my good ol buddy Billy Vincent, who encouraged me to start this boat building project as he would gladly come and lend a hand glassing / sanding etc, since he wants to go out and fish in it when finished......
Now, when was it you said you were going to help on this?? !! haha
good one mate!

Biker B.O.B. wrote:... I thought I would complete my first build (a V12) in a month... Four months later I finally splashed it.

Have fun and don't set a deadline.

The boat is coming along fast. Have you got the engine waiting for her? Details? Where you plan to float her? Welcome to the group!

Good lookin' boat! Your cruising right along! Welcome to the forum.

thanks guys - ks8. here ya go.
Father in law arrived with a great old 9.5hp Johnson yesterday.
couldn't wait to hang it off the thick bit...

Some great little waterways around Nudgee beach in Brisbane, Australia near where we live. Probably launch her there I reckon.

Wow your going to launch in no time!

decided to add a nice smooth bow top.
some frames n cleats for it.
Mounted tank up under it on 2 ply rail cradle.

Q - how do I seal through hull fittings like the tow eye?
sure, i've done the epoxy donut and drilled out to slot through, but i don't use epoxy on stainless right? do i just seal with silicon?

Silicone will be fine, you could also use something like Sika Flex. Sika Flex is stronger but I've found Silicone seals better

3M 5200 is my preference.

love this bit!
chase tunes for fuel and sparks.
putting electrical n battery in midseat box, foam the rest.

cleats done on front sole (yes, will be heavy but strong, plus more spots for buoyancy foam)

Bow has combined fuel tank on bottom and seperate anchorwell sealed off above with drain to front deck.

I almost did the same sort of thing with an anchor well drain, but seeing the diameter tube you used, I'm very sure that if I had done it, the tube I had planned on was too small. What you've used should drain well! Will you have a drain grill on it in the well so anchor rode won't find some freak way to work its way into that wide tube end? Have you got any sort of cleat planned in the well for securing the bitter end (don't ask) ?

aaah ks8 - I almost did ask....
I've never owned a boat, first time build etc too, so all this nautical talk of bitter rodes needed investigating.
Quick zap on google and i'm now enlightened.

Yes - the good old father in law made a comment early that small drains and bungs etc are bad.... so I listened.
Ok - good point on the drain grill. I'll dig something up.
and Yes, cleats etc for bitter end, naven't got that far in thinking just where yet, but i do understand the need... are you asking from lessons learned?

Oh... and anyone who spots me doing something silly, or a better way to do something, PLEASE chip in and offer advice!!
First timer here, who loves the idea of getting advice from those who've been there before me.

thanks all

been a while... finally took some more pics.
started dry fit of hatches etc, glassing the bow.
yep - got carried away and built some inwhales? (is that what they are called?)




i am guessing now for a dinghy this size a mortorwell and bilge is a bit much hehe, but did it anyway.
now just working out how to build the 6 berth sleeping area.........

very nice. and interesting..

inwhales? look perfect..

are the sides built to the plans..

inwhales...eerr.... none on my plans for the FS12. but gr8 you think they look good mecreature.
(as long as 'inwhales' are the inside-the-boat side of the gunwhales? - excuse my lack of nautical knowledge)
cheers

phew...been a while.
There was a plan a few weeks back to launch her this week... so some quick workboat standard coats of aquacote to the interior, valspar flowcoat on the hull, and a quick bolt on of the shiny bits and some wireing and she is amazingly almost ready to go!
Rolled into the Qld rego office on Friday with numerous forms... found i needed a HIN number etc... but very nice lady there helped me through the process and shazaam!! - a registered homemade boat and trailer! woohoo!



I had planned to make the paintjob all nice and super slick, but summer is here downunder, and the fish are calling...
so workboat paint for now and off we go. Basically I also took and posted these shots now... just in case she sinks when actually launched! hehe




(big pic versions in gallery - http://gallery.bateau2.com/index.php?cat=22012

very close now, that is certainly one of a kind FS12, congratulations on the finishing and launch (soon). How much does she weigh?

Wow! I really like the layout of your FS12. You have definitely maximized the space for 2 person fishing. Good luck with the fishing!

-- jaydillyo

That's an amazing FS12 Congrats on the build and let's see some action on the water.

Tom

OK now that is one neat little FS12, looks really good. Can't wait to see the launch pics

G'day Eril N,

Congrats on getting her finished she looks very nice. You obviously had no dramas with the rego process and the builders plate! If you did, let me know.

Looking forward to seeing her wet and slimed.

Mick

shine wrote:very close now, that is certainly one of a kind FS12, congratulations on the finishing and launch (soon). How much does she weigh?

thanks guys! ... weight?? haha well... almost popped a pooper valve when I lifted it to turn it over the other week!
Certainly NOT a 'car-topper' thats for sure. But should be strong, quiet, and safe with all that bouyency foam everywhere I hope.
Will post splash pics after the big day!