FS17 Build Planning
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 12:21 am
Good Evening all, I am a new member and starting on my journey of building my first boat. Currently, I have no boating knowledge other than what google has told me (right, wrong, or indifferent). My wife told me, I couldn't buy a boat, but she never said anything about building one. She knows I am building one and she is fine with it.
I have a few questions regarding my build, but before I get there let me tell you about my intended uses. I live in Seattle, WA and my intention is to primarily cruise around Lake Washington with the family or friends (4 adults). I would like to occasionally fish as well in Lake Washington (probably only with 2 or 3 adults). Eventually, I would consider venturing into the Puget Sound, but I worry about the salt and the maintenance nightmare it creates.
The build I am considering building is the Fast Skiff 17. The 17 foot is based on the space I have available to store the boat.
1) Is the FS17 the right build for my novice level? I already have woodworking experience, but no fiberglass experience. I am considering the CNC kit since the costs of this option versus acquiring all the plywood (and factoring waste) here is close.
2) I am curious about deck layout. I like the idea of the center console with the seat in the front, and a bench behind the console. Could I widen the console to sit two people? I would probably make the bench to accommodate two as well. Are there any other recommendations for a layout to accommodate four?
3) For all the "hardware" pieces like cleats, ubolts, lights, anything that screws/bolts into the hull, do I do this before I fiberglass and paint? or do I just screw it in after everything is done?
4) Gas storage. I plan on using a portable tank I can remove when I want to fill it up. What I have been able to find is that its ideal to put the gas tank under the console, is it as simple as making a spot for it under the console and strapping it down?
5) Wiring chases and other pipes. So I have been looking at other builds on the forum, I noticed there is a lot of piping people add to their builds. I understand I will need separate chases for fuel and electrical. Are the other ones for water or something else?
6) So as part of my build I would like to have a hatch at the bow for storage, do I need to worry about water collection? Is this what I would use the piping for (see question 4), which is at the bottom of the transom and uses the drain plug?
7) For water accumulation on the sole, is this just suppose to drain via the pipe at the rear of the boat, through the transom?
Do I need to worry about water accumulation anywhere else? Like under the sole? My plan is to put as much buoyancy foam as I can under the sole.
9) For the console, can I build this with non marine plywood, specifically baltic birch. I have a bunch of this on hand.
Thank you all for your responses. Let me know if I am missing anything here, I am a newbie here.
I have a few questions regarding my build, but before I get there let me tell you about my intended uses. I live in Seattle, WA and my intention is to primarily cruise around Lake Washington with the family or friends (4 adults). I would like to occasionally fish as well in Lake Washington (probably only with 2 or 3 adults). Eventually, I would consider venturing into the Puget Sound, but I worry about the salt and the maintenance nightmare it creates.
The build I am considering building is the Fast Skiff 17. The 17 foot is based on the space I have available to store the boat.
1) Is the FS17 the right build for my novice level? I already have woodworking experience, but no fiberglass experience. I am considering the CNC kit since the costs of this option versus acquiring all the plywood (and factoring waste) here is close.
2) I am curious about deck layout. I like the idea of the center console with the seat in the front, and a bench behind the console. Could I widen the console to sit two people? I would probably make the bench to accommodate two as well. Are there any other recommendations for a layout to accommodate four?
3) For all the "hardware" pieces like cleats, ubolts, lights, anything that screws/bolts into the hull, do I do this before I fiberglass and paint? or do I just screw it in after everything is done?
4) Gas storage. I plan on using a portable tank I can remove when I want to fill it up. What I have been able to find is that its ideal to put the gas tank under the console, is it as simple as making a spot for it under the console and strapping it down?
5) Wiring chases and other pipes. So I have been looking at other builds on the forum, I noticed there is a lot of piping people add to their builds. I understand I will need separate chases for fuel and electrical. Are the other ones for water or something else?
6) So as part of my build I would like to have a hatch at the bow for storage, do I need to worry about water collection? Is this what I would use the piping for (see question 4), which is at the bottom of the transom and uses the drain plug?
7) For water accumulation on the sole, is this just suppose to drain via the pipe at the rear of the boat, through the transom?
Do I need to worry about water accumulation anywhere else? Like under the sole? My plan is to put as much buoyancy foam as I can under the sole.
9) For the console, can I build this with non marine plywood, specifically baltic birch. I have a bunch of this on hand.
Thank you all for your responses. Let me know if I am missing anything here, I am a newbie here.