FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

To help other builders, please list the boat you are building in the Thread Subject -- and to conserve space, please limit your posting to one thread per boat.

Please feel free to use the gallery to display multiple images of your progress.
TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

I'm knee-deep in the process of building my first boat - an FL14. The intent is for this to be a serviceable, no frills boat for fishing and generally messing about. It will be rowed and at times powered by a small outboard. Nothing fancy, no effort to make a showpiece. This project is also meant to allow me to understand the basics of boat building so I can decide if I want to undertake a more ambitious build. My wife and I are taking sailing lessons this summer and I dream of someday building a camping cruiser.

The boat is being built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin but will live most of the time in Knoxville, Tennessee.

TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

Having said that the build wouldn't involve any fancy techniques, I'll begin by backtracking on that a bit. I have access to a CNC mill at my place of employment and did use it to cut most of the pieces for the boat. This was an absolutely unnecessary bit of technical gymnastics. The pieces are easily cut out by hand. I had simply been wanting to learn to use the mill and this project was a good opportunity for me to at least learn some flat milling techniques. As suggested in the instructions, I'm using BCX plywood from right off the shelf at the big orange box. All in all, the milling worked out well.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

fallguy1000
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
Posts: 10199
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:25 am

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by fallguy1000 »

TedS wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:23 pm Having said that the build wouldn't involve any fancy techniques, I'll begin by backtracking on that a bit. I have access to a CNC mill at my place of employment and did use it to cut most of the pieces for the boat. This was an absolutely unnecessary bit of technical gymnastics. The pieces are easily cut out by hand. I had simply been wanting to learn to use the mill and this project was a good opportunity for me to at least learn some flat milling techniques. As suggested in the instructions, I'm using BCX plywood from right off the shelf at the big orange box. All in all, the milling worked out well.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Be careful with HD bcx.

I had some that delaminated with any screw. It was a temp trailer deck, so I did not care, but definitely not good enough for a boat.
My boat build is here -------->

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=62495

TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

Fallguy, thanks for the heads up. I've had a bit of trouble with the plywood. It has delaminated in small areas along a couple of the cuts. I have just used a bit of wood glue and fixed it up. Seems to be working fine so far. I was just a little annoyed that the process used up some precious clamps for several hours.

TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

After getting the cut pieces to Wisconsin, a small snafu with the butt blocks, and some timely forum advice from Aripeka Angler, I was able to get the butt blocks in place. Really amazed at how strong and flexible the joints on the sides and bottom were.

Image
Image

TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

Once the splices had a chance to cure, the shape of the boat came together very quickly using zip ties. I predrilled for the ties using the CNC and found this worked very well. Only had to add a few holes with the hand drill to cinch a couple of places that needed a few additional ties.

Image
Image
Image

cottontop
* Bateau Builder *
* Bateau Builder *
Posts: 902
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Location: Ocala,FL

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by cottontop »

8) Lookin "Goooooood"!

Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 8436
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:17 pm
Location: Vero Beach

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by Jeff »

Good progress!! Jeff

pee wee
Very Active Poster
Very Active Poster
Posts: 2276
Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 8:29 am
Location: Georgia

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by pee wee »

That is coming along nicely!

About the bcx ply mentioned in some of the study plans- it has been said here (I believe by Jacques M. himself) that there was a time when you could get good quality exterior plywood that was acceptable to use in building, but those days have passed, what is now available does not meet minimum quality for boat building. I don't know what your expectations are, but your boat probably won't last as many years as it would have if built with quality marine ply (there is some cheap ply out there posing as marine ply).

I do get the part about learning the boat building process without breaking the bank, so I say keep on building and enjoy the process. It sounds like you've picked up some new skills already!
Hank

TedS
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:18 pm
Location: TN and WI

Re: FL14 Tennessee/Wisconsin build

Post by TedS »

Buddy of mine was visiting for a few days and he was curious about the process. He's a talented woodworker but has never built a boat. He jumped in and helped me get the cleats on and we were able to coat the interior with epoxy in short order.

Image
Image

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests