D15 in Katy TX

[Flat Fish]

I cut the stringers yesterday and flipped her. Slow progress! I'm ready to start glassing this weekend, once the wife leaves town.

Should I cut all the limber holes and any other holes before I glass? I'm thinking so.

[Flat Fish]

Grrrrr.... Damb if I didn't hit the back button when I was almost done typing. Here we go again...

So far tonight I fitted my clamping board and notched the longitudinal stringers. Got everything fitting just fine. I put tape around a few spots on the chine that had gaps, taped the tie wrap holes and cleaned up a few spots of epoxy/wood flour that ran thru while tacking the outside.

As soon as the kids are asleep, I am going to glue the clamping board to the transom. Also need to tack the tip of the bow where athe last bit of epoxy broke while flipping.

I'll be ready to lay some glass tomorrow. I just need to go over the details for tabbing of the transom to be sure I get it all right. Should have some good things to take pictures of at the end of the day.

[Flat Fish]

IT IS HOT OUTSIDE!

But I laid some glass anyway. Started about 1:00 and stopped about 4:30. Must have drank a whole gallon of water... I am now rewarding myself with an ice cold root beer float made with Blue Bell, the best stuf in the world.

I am taking a break and eating something, then later I am going to start on the breces.

Here is the clamping board which I installed last night.



And here is today's glassing, so far.

[Flat Fish]

OK, stringers and braces are glassed in and I'm beat. Tomorrow I'll put in the small half braces under the seats and hopefilly glass the floor.

What is everyone using for batting under the seats?

[Flat Fish]

Well, didn't do too much today. I just got the small braces glassed in and I put 6oz cloth on the floor. Unfortunately I have to go back to my paying job tomorrow. Hope to get some of my excess 3/8 cut into strip for cleats tomorrow evening.

There is almost no 1/4 ply left over. Anyone think 3/8 could be used for the rub rail? Guess while I'm cutting tomorrow I'll just try a piece out and see if it will make the bend.

Here are todays pictures.

[wegcagle]

Nice work and fast You can certainly use 3/8" for the rub rail. If it won't quite make the bend just cut some kerfs 1/8" deep perpendicular to the length of the rubrail (so up and down). Then just fill them in with putty later on.

Most of the builds I've seen, and what I did for cleats, was get some southern yellow pine 2x4s for cleats. I ripped each 2x4 length wise into 3 pieces. (Which made roughly 1x2 strips for cleats). Then gave them a quick sanding. Just go through the stock and pick out the boards with the least (or no) knots.

Nice work,

Will

[Uncle D]

FF, doin' great sir!! I guess I'm too old for this heat cause by noon, I'm done in. Keep it up. Don

[Flat Fish]

Thanks guys! The 3/8 worked just fine. I cut all the rub rail and cleat material from leftover 3/8 and installed layer #1 of the rub rail. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to work on her again until Thursday. I am really enjoying working on this boat.

The heat has been a killer. I have been exhausted since Saturday, but smiling.

[Flat Fish]

The rub rail is done and all the cleats are installed. I also installed a 1/2" PVC tube to the front hatch for bow light and possibly a trolling motor plug. I havn't decided whether I should put a troll motor plug in front or at the mid frame, but there's time.

Tomorrow I am planning to flip her and glass the outside. To Skeg or not to Skeg, that is my next question. I am thinking I could use scrap 1/2" ply to build the skeg. I have a nice long cut off left over. Thoughts?

Here are a few more pictures.

[Flat Fish]

Well, boat is flipped, bottom is glassed and the Skeg is installed. Ooh, and I'm beat. Too tired to take pictures right now.