Reference the linked thread, where I found the broker listing for a DE25 that I just bought in North Carolina.
http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=61864
Its not a build thread since I didn't build the boat. I feel for the owner/builder, who put a ton of time & effort into this and for outside reasons wasn't able to fully enjoy it. I haven't yet met him as I bought it through the brokerage.
I'll use this thread to ask questions and post pictures as I use/upgrade/modify the boat. It is the long cockpit version, and built to plans as far as I can tell. Suzuki DF140 on an Armstrong bracket, SeaStar steering, 2X 30gal poly tanks in boxes in the cockpit.
It tows great with a mid-size pickup:
- IMG_5896 (Small).JPG (108.23 KiB) Viewed 5266 times
In the other thread I mentioned the prop ventilates in turns. I've had boats that were worse, but it is noticeable. Here's a pic of the keel, it runs full length to the transom. However the motor is nearly 30" back on the bracket. The motor is also mounted fairly high, in the lowest bolt hole. I didn't yet get a chance to put a straight-edge from the running surface back.
Another observation - this boat has zero through-hulls. Not even a plug. To go along with this, it doesn't have a bilge pump. As best I can tell, the only way for water to get into the bilge would be for a major leak in the cabin, or for enough water to get into the cockpit to get over the lip into the cabin or over the bottom of the transom hatch doors. Bilge was dry when I inspected the boat, and it had been sitting there for months. I'm not too comfortable in taking trips without having one at all...
The cabin top feels like it is laminated from thin ply with some strips (or foam?) as core/spacers. Is this standard in the plans? What kind of weight can that take - people sitting or standing on it? Paddle boards or kayaks? It is reinforced from inside where things are attached, like hand rails or the mast.
Matt
