XF-20 Newbie

[capt'nron]

Newbie here and have lurked for a while and even purchased plans for the XF-20 and the FS-18.

A forum member pointed me to a XF-20 for sale that is basically just cut out and almost ready to start assembly. I won't take delivery till next week but couldn't help starting the planning stages for my perfect boat.

The major decision I need to make is if I want to go with the minimal build and power with a Merc 25 HP 2 smoke tiller or a Yami 40 3 cylinder 2 smoke tiller. They are only about 40 lbs apart but from what I have read, it will perform almost as well with a 25 hp and a minimal build as the 40 hp with the beefed up build.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated. It doesn't really matter which way I go since I already have both motors. I tend to go for more HP unless the weight to hp ratio becomes a diminishing return. Then I will always go for the lightest build that does not compromise the integrity of the hull.

Thanks,
CR

[Bayport_Bob]

2 cents: Power it with the 40 & build it how you'll fish it. You can always go down to the 25 and "see the sights" as you cruise around instead of the eye watering blur from the 40.

Minimal builds? - what's that? does it mean there won't be tower ?

[capt'nron]

Thanks BB.

[majorgator]

CR -
It seems that this is a contagious boat

I'm going to begin my build sometime soon, and the guys on this forum have been real helpful. I started a post a little while ago. Here's the link:

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php?t=16512

There is a whole lot of information on there about different people's experiences and build techniques. There is a discussion on there specifically about motor size and what you should expect. Its great to see another XF20 newbie joining in with me!!

PS - Where are you located??

[capt'nron]

CR -
It seems that this is a contagious boat

I'm going to begin my build sometime soon, and the guys on this forum have been real helpful. I started a post a little while ago. Here's the link:

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php?t=16512

There is a whole lot of information on there about different people's experiences and build techniques. There is a discussion on there specifically about motor size and what you should expect. Its great to see another XF20 newbie joining in with me!!

PS - Where are you located??

I've had the plans for the XF-20 and the FS-18 on my desk forever and started to pull the trigger when the FS-17 came out. Fell in love with it and was waiting for some builds to finish. In the mean time I had done some horse trading and ended up with a short shaft Yamaha 3 cylinder 40 hp. tiller. A forum member sent me a link for a great deal on the XF-20 that was basically already cut out with a CNC so the decision was made. I always wanted to build my own boat and I always wanted a Bhilly boat. Guess I get both but better.

I'm in New Port Richey. I know a few guys around here that are finishing other builds now and have offered assistance - I'm going to need it. Looks like your a bit of a hike but I do get up as far as Yankeetown. Isn't that what these boats were built for?

After posting this, I found more information and read so much I had to take a break as I was finding myself reading through threads till 2 AM and getting up for work at 5.

Pretty sure I will build it around the 40 hp since 25 mph is really fast enough. I am going to go ahead and build with the additional stringers and sole suitable for a "guide" boat. I have no intention to guide at this time, it's just the style boat I usually like.

I am going to try to get hold of "spring hill steve" to pick his brain and his build. He was running a 40 jet I believe but I think he added the jet himself which would make it net out around 30 hp. If this is correct, I'm sure the 40 will be fine till I whack the foot and at that time I will decide if I want to convert it to a 50 and add the jet or repair the conventional lower. Just trying to be realistic, after all, I piled my Glades Skiff onto an oyster bar this weekend in unfamiliar water. That's where the fish were.

[capt'nron]

majorgator,

Here's a picture of my bhote.



It's been raining and this was the best I could do. Picked it up the other night and backed the trailer into the shop. Hope to clean out my warehouse this weekend so I have a place to build. Going to try to throw my wife's car out of the garage first though. Just kidding, better to keep it at the shop so I can tackle her a little at a time.

When are you starting yours?

[majorgator]

I should be getting mine going sometime around mid-summer. To make a long story short (or even longer), I'm going on vacation in June and will certainly be tied up with work a lot in July. Also, I'm not entirely sure on everything I want to do with it.

In the limited boat building experiences I've had, its a lot like playing pool. In pool, you're always thinking about your next shot, and with a boat, you're always thinking about that next step before you do the current step. I'm pretty well decided on most of it, but there are some things I still need to think about a bit more.

Lucky you, though, to be able to pick up a boat that was already cut out. That should save you a good amount of time, so maybe you'll have it done in, say, a couple of weeks??

[capt'nron]

maybe you'll have it done in, say, a couple of weeks??

Nah. I figure I can take as couple of days of since most of it's cut out.

Expect to have it done end of June - out of the trailer that is.

Previous owner allowed for the optional sole and I'll want the same. Once I lay it all out and figure out what's what I can start thinking. I should have plenty of time to decide how to finish the interior while I complete the outside. I've been looking at Bhilly Bhotes for so long, once I flip he back over decisions should be easy. It's going to be a utility boat for me. No use in trying to get her perfect since she'll probably get aqauinted with the oyster bars first outing.

I actually hope to have her ready to glass the outside by mid July. I have a couple of buddies, one is finishing a build now, that I can invite over to see her one moring and suggest they wear old clothes. Figure if I lock the shop doors, fill the ice chests with adult beverages and soda with the pizza delivery phone number above the work bench, I should be able to "convince" them to stick around and "show" me how to glass her in one swoop. It would be nice to dunk her by fall, before the negative lows start. Not out of the question since I'm going to roll and tip the outside and web the inside.

[majorgator]

Great. My plan is to have the boat in the water around late fall for the same reason. Hopefully, it will work out, but I just need to get started.

I'm sure we'll be able to exchange thoughts along the way.

[Pita]

Capt'ron
Where you fish and how you fish should make the decision for you. I fish in thousands of acres of 12" or to 3" water and went minimalistic and love it. 25 HP Yamaha, WOT 26 MPH, poles in 2-3" , runs in 4" with 2 people, gets up in 18", but beats you in a 1 foot chop. I will build another in a couple of years with changes after fishing this boat for a year now. Please fell free to contact me if you go minimalistic and want some insight.
Jon Payne (Pita)