Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

Cracker Larry and others having gunnels on their OD's, I'm doing some work on my OD 18 and have decided I would like to add gunnels to mine. Need some suggestions. How wide, supports, adding rod holders in these,what thickness plywood, etc. I built inwales on mine but have decided i would like the gunnels. Also thinking about adding a jack plate. Any good reasons for doing so? What size/hydraulic-manual? And finally, thinking of changing from from mechanical steering to hydraulic(pros/cons). Thanks, John

John, I used 3/8" ply for my gunnels, here are some pictures:

Here's the brace's I used:


and another shot:


You can't see the jack plate too good here, but it's the one Shine sells here on the site. I love it because I could get my motor height perfect. Craig, has the hydraulic jack plate and can raise and lower it while under power, I couldn't afford that one



As far as mechanical vs hydraulic steering, I have hydraulic and love it, and it's really not much more than mech. I can get you pictures if you want??
Larry

Thank you Larry. I really appreciate the response. I just finished reading your build thread last night just before I wrote this. I love your boat. It is a real beauty. How wide were you gunnels? Don't remember reading about their width. These OD's are some really fine boats. Very versatile. There weren't many being built when I built mine. I have learned so much more from you, Cracker, Craig, Steven, and so many others. Wish I would have had the knowledge I have now from all of your builds when I built mine. That's what makes this site so great. John

John,
I made mine about 8" then 3/4" inside trim, the supports were every 4', and I used 3/8" ply. Had 4 rod holders, cleats, and rod storage on supports never had any problems. The only thing was boat got skinny at console because I made the console to wide, it was my first boat live and learn. Good Luck
Don

John, I made mine 6" wide and they were almost too narrow for fitting the rod holders. Because of the hull flare the bottom of the holders are fairly tight to the hull sides. I would make them 7 or 8" if I were doing it again.

I also used 3/8 ply for the decks and 1/2 for the frames. Frame spacing is 36". The inside edge is 3" high. It's rock solid. I'll dig up some pictures of the framing.

I added a mechanical jackplate (Bob's) with a 5" setback. It added a couple mph and allowed the engine to be raised higher, which makes it more efficient and reduces draft.

Hydraulic steering is certainly nice, but with these low HP engines, not really necessary. My NFB cable system works like a champ and no torque is transferred to the wheel.

cottontop wrote:Thank you Larry. I really appreciate the response. I just finished reading your build thread last night just before I wrote this. I love your boat. It is a real beauty. How wide were you gunnels? Don't remember reading about their width. These OD's are some really fine boats. Very versatile. There weren't many being built when I built mine. I have learned so much more from you, Cracker, Craig, Steven, and so many others. Wish I would have had the knowledge I have now from all of your builds when I built mine. That's what makes this site so great. John

John, Mine start at 6 1/2" to 8 1/2" at middle of console and ends at 11", only reason my boat turned out so well is because of all the builders before me, including you John

Off topic but I love the paint job on that yellow boat.

Here ya go John, gunwales in 12 easy steps. I wouldn't do this for just anybody

Cut and glue the frames, I wanted mine above the sole so I wouldn't stump my bare toes and it makes the boat much easier to clean. Then glass them in and add support cleats. This is the best way I can figure to get the frames square.



I try to move along wet on wet, so everything is at a different stage of completion at the same time



Notch the frames for the support cleats.



Fit and glue support cleats.I used 1X1 for these cleats.



At the transom I had to make the deck narrower so I could open the hatches. LarryB did about the same thing. This is the transition joint.



Bow view of cleats



Use heavy paper to make a pattern



Pattern cut to fit



Transfer pattern for best nesting




Cut and fit decks



Glue inwales. I ripped 3" strips of 3/8 ply for mine



Clean it all up

EDIT: I used a router for that, first with a flush cutting bit, then with a 3/8 round over bit. Then glassed over the whole thing.



Done

jacquesmm wrote:Off topic but I love the paint job on that yellow boat.

Thanks Jacques, She is definatly Yellow

dd, cracker, and larry thank you all for your quick replies. Cracker, I don't know of anyone who is more helpful on this site or generous with the sharing of their knowledge. 8 inch gunnels it will be. Cracker and Larry does the jackplate holes automatically line up with the motor holes I already have drilled in my transom? I currently have my Mercury mounted to the transom. Cracker did you order the mechanical plate from Shine? I will wait till the new year to order plywood from Jacques and Shine. We are leaving early next week to head up to the mountains for Christmas. Daughter and son-in-law wanted us to do Christmas in Tennessee this year. 1st time ever doing Christmas away from our home in Florida. I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Years". John

I took what Cracker Larry had done and then modified it to liking. I just did it a bit different and it saved me from making patterns I put my inwales on first, then laid the tops on and screwed them in place, (can't remember exactly how I secured them) but screws will work and be out of the way. Then take a flush router bit and trim the tops, they are perfect and you didn't have to make a pattern.
Like I said, just another way to do it It also saved me from notching the brace's as you can just glue the inwales to the braces, I also used a small piece of biax to secure them better.
Larry B

Cracker and Larry does the jackplate holes automatically line up with the motor holes I already have drilled in my transom?

Yes, exact match, don't change a thing.

Cracker did you order the mechanical plate from Shine?

Of course I get a discount It's the convertible 4 in 1 plate with different wedge and setback options. The last one on this page I think. I also think it was worth installing, plus it looks cool

http://www.bobsmachine.com/Products/jac ... manual.cfm


Merry Christmas to you and yours, John and be safe on the roads . If you pass near Savannah, stop in and see us

Then take a flush router bit and trim the tops, they are perfect and you didn't have to make a pattern.

I cut the decks a little big from the patterns, then used a flush cut bit to make them perfect. The patterns helped me the most for nesting and getting everything onto 1 sheet of plywood.

Cracker Larry wrote:

Then take a flush router bit and trim the tops, they are perfect and you didn't have to make a pattern.

I cut the decks a little big from the patterns, then used a flush cut bit to make them perfect. The patterns helped me the most for nesting and getting everything onto 1 sheet of plywood.

I think I used scraps
The Pattern would be great for nesting,

Same Jack Plate:

http://boatbuildercentral.com/proddetai ... onvertable

The decks do fill up a sheet of plywood pretty tight.

John, just want to edit my post. I also put a support cleat where Cracker Larry did behind the inwale, I copied that from him, only difference is I put my inwale on first then the top.
I just checked because I wanted to make sure.

Cracker, Thanks for the invitation. We live in Ocala and will be traveling up I-75. I do want to try and get up to see you sometime this Summer or Fall. I'd love to see your place and maybe work in a little fishing. What timeof year do ya'll shrimp? There is another reason for my questions. I'm going to try to retire in 2 years. I will have worked for the power company for 42 years in January 2015. Many changes going and feel it will be a prime time to leave. A lot depends on the economy. Have decided that to retire early I may not get to build the bigger boat(OB 19 or PH 22). I am going to try to get everything in place financially so I can leave. The OD 18 I have is in great shape and plenty big enough to carry my grandsons in. The 6 year old alredy loves to fish and the other two are 2 and a half and both like being on the boat. My daughter is going to give us a 3rd grandson in early April. I want as much time with them as I can possibly have, while they still like being with PaPa and NaNa. Grandfather started me out fishing when I was 6. Have never stopped fishing and being on and near the water. Want to instill in them the same love. John

If I could only have 1 boat, the OD18 would be at the top of the list for a boat that can do it all. Flats fishing or trolling in the Gulf Stream, it's at home either place. Safe, stable and economical, it's a perfect little boat

Our best shrimping is usually mid July until mid November, give or take a few weeks, depending on water temps and rain. Come any time you can, you are always welcome here.

If we don't pass down what we've learned in 50 years on the water, no one else will know it either. It used to be common knowledge when we were growing up, but not so much anymore. TV and video games have taken over.