XF20

[dwhiteboy_672002]

I've received my plans for the XF20 and while studying them I noticed the side's where a little shallow for my taste, can I raise the side's and how much? Also I would like to make this a center console, can I purchase a sample or plans to build a console only,.

[jasonmcintosh]

Just keep in mind that the XF20 is a highly specalized boat. Meant to be a just as much of a floating platform drawing 2" of water as a boat.

You shouldn't be in significant waves, so what do you need high sides for?

A CC sounds doable.

jason

[dwhiteboy_672002]

Well as I was looking over the different types of boat plans, I noticed that one couldn’t tell if the boat was 16.5” or 20”, and both my brother’s have an aluminum skiff, ones a 16’ boat and the other 18’ boat, both have 20” or more. I’ve built several boats in the past and I prefer to have a few more inches than this boat calls for. Since the study plans didn’t give any info, I wanted a 20 footer but center console.

[stickystuff]

I am codesigner on this hull and may be able to answer your question. This hull was designed for an area that is very shallow and loaded with redfish. In the winter months the tides are extremely low and the fish move back in to the deeper holes in the backwaters. Access to them is almost impossible in a reg. flats boat. the XF 20 draws 1" of water at rest. The hull is very wide and 20'4" long. This with the tunnel plus a jack plate will allow you to run in very shallow water. The whole concept is to keep the weight down. Yes, you can raise the sides but you will probaly have to do it on you own. Yes you can add a center consol. Look at the plans for the GF18. You can set the Xf 20 up the same way. Now whether Jacques wll spend the time to revise the plans, Probably not.Go to the study plans on the GF18 and you can see pretty much how things are done. Just remember you are adding a lot of extra weight which defeats the purpose of this hull in which it was intentionally designed. No flame throwing here. Just the facts. Hope you understand.

[dwhiteboy_672002]

Hey sticky, thanks for the Info,. And yes to understand the purpose of this boat is well known, my Idea was to allow this shallow hull to work for me in area's like nothing I've seen so far on the Tensaw Or Delta back waters where the hunting is awesome except for the bugs,. So my plans are to reach the big one's where not too many people can reach,. Like the red fish down in Fla,. So the weight of adding a few inches wouldn't affect the draft much I don't feel,. The console is going to be made of nidacore so not much weight there,. I feel it would be good for the purpose I intend to use it for, and well since the whole idea of building your own boat is to make it to fit the needs of your off time, hey it's a good thing to be in a country where you can do that,. Oh yeah, thanks for keeping the flames to a min,,,

[stickystuff]

You go boy. I would love to spend a week down in loosiana fishin . ay. Its a great boat with a hell of a lot of room. many options you can do. have fun but don't stray from the structural design .

[gpratt]

Posted some pics on the start of my project.

http://gallery.bateau2.com/thumbnails.php?album=210

[stickystuff]

Gary, I am very envious. here I am codesigner and all I have is a set of plans. Got to get the PH15 done. aand sell the Ph16 I have. Looks great so far. Awsome craftsmanship so far. I know one thing. Wood is a heck of a lot asier than working with foam. If I was building an XF20 instead of the Ph15 all foam I would almost be done by now. Very time consuming. Almost ready to flip and finish bottom of the hull.

[gpratt]

Hang in there Ken. Finish the 15 and just start on the XF even if the 18 is not sold. Maybe that will get the 18 sold a little faster. Things just have a way of working out if the need is there.

[stickystuff]

Another factor on higher freeboard is that you may have to buy a few more sheets of plywood. The plot plan on the parts are pretty tightly laid out on the plywood and don't give a lot of extra slack for ading to the heights of the side panels. Look at it real close before cutting any side panels. I don't exactly remember what they are but do know Jacques doesn't leave any room for waste on the panels.