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Another Bateau SK14 was launched yesterday (Sept-7-2017) on the north shore of Massachusetts. Fun little boat and handled a whole lot better than I expected, especially for having two guys at around 200lbs each.

Here's a video of the maiden voyage: https://vimeo.com/232981714
Edit: Misspelled Bateau! Had to fix that...

That turned out nicely, great job!

nkathman, Really nice job!!! What horsepower motor?? Jeff

Jeff wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 11:02 am nkathman, Really nice job!!! What horsepower motor?? Jeff

Tohatsu 8HP. Haven't pushed it solo yet but was able to get 16 knots with 2 people yesterday in flat water.

Very nice job! Enjoyed the video too.

Bogie

That is really good results with two men on it from a 8HP Tohatsu!! Really well built SK14!! Jeff

Wow. You've just convinced me to have a go at building one of these. I was not sure how stable they would be but it looks pretty good in the video. Nice work.

Dave.

Great Job. Already catching fish I see.
Looks like it would be so easy to launch from almost anywhere.
How difficult to load and unload from you truck to the water? Do you detach the outboard?

sweet build and fly fishing? i'm your friend now. thank you,
really nice work.

Rmarsh wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2017 10:49 am How difficult to load and unload from you truck to the water? Do you detach the outboard?

TBD. Getting it into and out of the truck bed with the extender is easy. I use a beach cart to get it close, then lift it onto the rail with a pad over it and slide it in. I then put the engine on top of it. When I take it in and out I take the engine off just to make it more manageable.

The last time I launched it I just backed up to a boat ramp, stood in maybe 6" of water, and slid it right into the water and put the engine on it there. Was pretty simple.

Cool thanks....I had a 14' John boat that I did the same way..with outboard off to make it easier.

Great build and video! How far up did you decide to mount the grab bar? I am trying to determine the right spot for mine.

RightCoastin wrote: ↑Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:22 pm Great build and video! How far up did you decide to mount the grab bar? I am trying to determine the right spot for mine.

I rigged the boat like it would be most of the time with the engine, gas, cooler, battery, etc then slid a 2x4 under it to find the balance point. I mounted the rail just in front of that making sure it was still on the backer boards underneath.

Sound idea. I will put that to use when I get to that point in my build, which is coming sooner by the day! cheers.

Very nice SK14, I've added this to the Build threads page.

Cool little boat, very nice she looks fast by just laying there

Here's an update after a dozen or so trips with the SK14. First off is a video I tool yesterday showing the SK14 in some waves and chop so you can see how it handles. It's a stable boat and rides really high in the water, so generally it's really stable and handles stuff but will slap and beat.

https://vimeo.com/236974893

For those asking how I transport it, here are some pics of how I transport it in the back of the truck. I have a cheap bed extender I bought off of Amazon that helps support it and makes loading it a whole lot easier. I drop the extender to the lowest it'll go, lift the transom onto it, then slide it into the bed of the truck and adjust the extender to the proper height. All in all it's pretty easy to do with 1 person assuming you put the engine in at the end. I do think I'll grab a trailer for it soon though to make launching and pulling it quicker and I won't have to remove the engine.

Nice! Seems really stable for a little boat and no slouch in the speed category either. Catching fish on your first run in a new boat is good luck too.

nkathman, great video!! Appears to have handled well in pretty tough water for such a skinny water boat!! Again, really nice SK!!! Jeff

I will be doing the same thing most likely when I get my sk14 finished. It will save on having to deal with keeping the trailer in good order. I am curious if you have to trim your weight on the skiff when you go out solo?

I move around the boat to trim the boat, whether alone or with someone. Went out yesterday and had to cross a small bay that ended up having 2' waves on the way back and stood far back to keep the bow up and over the waves. In flat water I'll stand up close to the grab rail to flatten it out.

Good to know. I am thinking that I might be able to mount a trolling motor to the bow for solo fishing trips (which most of mine usually are). Received my 8hp tohatsu the other day so it starting to feel like I will be hitting the water soon, just need to prime and paint. thanks for sharing your build and videos.