OB17 2nd Season Update

[kdog]

Long time no post guys, hope all is well.

We're coming to the end of the season up here in Jersey and I just wanted to say after two seasons of using my OB17 it has been absolutely great. After building up my confidence I've had her 4 miles offshore out of Barnegat Inlet and have always felt safe with the exception of getting through the inlet which can be nerve racking in any size boat.

Everything on the boat has held up incredibly well considering the amount of use and punishment that have been dished out on my fishing trips. I've seen no sign of any cracks or damage in my fillets and or all other parts of the boat. The only issue I've had is the skeg has taken some damage from the rear roller when putting her back on the trailer (I use the trailer every time I go out plus the skeg made out of pine). The System 3 paint has been far tougher than any of my expectations other than the usual nicks here and there.

Here's some pics. When I get some time I want to add a rubrail and windshield. I also have a bimini top which has been an awesome addition for those really hot sunny days.

[retrosub]

Thanks for the pictures, the boat looks really great.

[Daniel Huckleberry]

Good update. I think that is a great design. It is nice to know how everyones boat and opinion of it hold up. Nice pictures, too.

Huck

[tech_support]

thank your for the update, its great that builders here use their boats so much

The pictures show the boat very well.

[TomW]

Great update you and Lucky Louis are great spokesmen for the OB17.

Tom

[kdog]

Thanks guys, everybody have a great Thanksgiving!

[Lucky_Louis]

Nice to hear from you kdog! My experience this summer has been identical to yours except the skeg damage, my trailer is bunked . I couldn't wait to install my windshield, I guess the water here is colder These are great little ships, tough as nails, nice riding in moderate chop and very confidence inspiring.

Is your cockpit self-bailing with you on board? Mine is marginal. Our trim is slightly different. My fuel tank is under the casting deck and battery is in the console under the jump seat. I imagine my 375 lb engine doesn't help .. I've logged 400 hours since splash.





The windshield is 1/2" Lexan so I bolted rather than tried to bend it. It folds down flat with two wing nuts removed.

Congrats and thanks again for the update.

[kdog]

Good to hear from you too Lucky. Wow 400hrs. I lost track after the motor break-in. Yeah I get some water coming through my scuppers as well. I have the same setup as you except my battery is in the port transom locker. When the water is colder I put in some plugs that I found at Home Depot that fit perfectly into the pvc drains and it works perfectly. During the summer the water is very warm so I don't mind. It drains instantly when underway.

I made a windshield during the spring using the methods discussed here (heating with a propane torch and bending over a 2x4). Then I hit the rough edges with the torch to smooth them. The thing looked like a production piece but I cracked it on the install.

Oh I forgot to mention this for everybody that has not finished your build yet. Get ready to spend lots of time at the ramp trying to explain to people that you actually built your own boat. It never gets old.

[AdamG]

Amen..I have had to answer "Where did you get that boat?" or "Who makes that boat?" or "what kind of boat is that" about every time I've put it on the water this year...

[Lucky_Louis]

I know the feeling. I generally will ask a looky-loo how he/she knew that my boat was 'custom built'. They usually say that it's the bright finished coaming. Other than that, there's no real clue that these are owner built boats. One launching ramp story for you - My fishing partner and I were coming in near sunset. About 2 miles from the ramp I started to pass a very popular 17' production runabout. Now, the municipal ramp can get very busy near dark so it's always a scramble to get to the dock and secure a good 'spot' in the recovery queue. So as I catch up to him, his throttle goes to the stop. Now he's slowly pulling away from me. I flash him an evil grin , and make the same throttle adjustment that he did. He drifts into the dock about the same time I'm cinching the stern eyes onto the trailer Oh, did I mention that his 17' boat had a 150hp outboard vs. my 75? Granted, it was a deep"V" vs. the OB17's shallow"V" but I'm pretty sure light weight, efficient hull shape and attention to fairing played a big role too. We had a great conversation after I helped him recover his boat.