GF14 - The Conch Fritter

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Rumdoctor
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GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by Rumdoctor »

Well the Conch Fritter was finally splashed this September after numerous delays. Namely, a wife, a baby, house renovations, a new job promotion, another baby, quitting said job, selling a house, moving across the country, buying a new house, more house renovations, starting a new business, weather delays, and a few vacations thrown in there. Honestly, I didn't even work on it for a year and a half straight, but I am very glad that I packed it up in a moving pod after fairing and was able to "finish" it this summer. I am very proud of it and look forward to many fishing outings with my kids and friends.
1a-First Launch (2).JPG
Another reason why I think I took so long on the build is that I did want to do a fair amount of customizations. I spent a lot of time overthinking, pondering, researching, and daydreaming about what I wanted to add or account for on the boat. Combine that with a lot of staring, questioning, and overall learning curve of being my first build it just added more time to the build. However, all that adds to part of the fun. It may all be a blessing in disguise because I moved from a saltwater environment (Charleston, SC) to a freshwater environment (Minneapolis, MN) so at least I don't have to worry about as much corrosion or any oyster bars.

Some of the customizations and notes about the build are here...
Fabricated the rubrail to wrap all the way around the bow.
Fore, Aft, and Middle hatches.
Limber holes throughout.
Chase tubes along sides for future wiring/accessories.
Added a Taco Marine flexible vinyl rubrail. This was definitely worth the $240, because of the protection it provides when loading/launching at the boat ramp/dock.
Oarlock mounts.
Foam added throughout.
1" transom drain.
Beer/rod holders.
Aluminum transom plate.
Had to build up transom to fit motor correctly.
Restored a 1970's trailer.
Custom vinyl logo/name.

Some of the technical specs...
The hull weighs just about 300lbs.
Suzuki 15HP long shaft.
Meranti plywood.
System 3 Silvertip Epoxy.
3-4 coats System 3 Yacht Primer.
6 coats Pettit EZPoxy Hatteras Cream paint with Performance Enhancer on outside of hull. 6 coats EZPoxy White with Performance Enhancer on the inside. The outside was rolled and tipped. The inside I just rolled. If I were to do it again I would probably just roll and not tip the outside. I feel like the slightly smoother finish by tipping wasn't worth the extra time or tedious effort. I was very happy on how the inside turned out without tipping. I was able to purchase all my paint and performance enhancer for 95% off. Originally I wanted to use a different outside color but my local Gander Mtn/Overtons was going out of business. I had planned to used EZPoxy before even knowing that Gander offered it for sale. So when entered the store for the first time to check out a clearance sale for boots, I saw that all their marine supplies were on super clearance. They had Hatteras Cream, White, and Fire Red left for colors. I always wanted the White for the inside, and the Hatteras Cream was an easy compromise. So instead of about $44 per quart I got them for a few bucks. I bought up all the white, cream, and performance enhancer that they had left.

I'll look to add a bow mount trolling motor (will need to create a custom mount), and replace the trailer hubs this winter/spring.
1b-Setup.JPG
3-Cutting (2).JPG
5-Rubrail.JPG
7-Foam Fore (2).JPG
9-Before Decks.JPG
13-Glass Tape (4).JPG
14-Glassing Hull.JPG
16-Glassing Hull (5).JPG
17-Fairing (2).JPG
19-Moving.JPG
20a-Primer (6).JPG
20b-Motor Fitting (2).JPG
22-Ready for Paint.JPG
23-Paint Outside.JPG
24-Paint Outside (2).jpg
25-Paint Inside.JPG
26-Paint Inside (3).JPG
28-Hull Weight (2).JPG
31-Transom Plate & Rubrail.JPG
32b-From Bow.jpg
32c-From Stern.jpg
32f-Aft Hatch Open.jpg
32e-Aft Hatch Closed.jpg
32h-Mid Hatch Open.jpg
32j-Anchor Locker.jpg
33-On Trailer (2).JPG
35-First Launch.JPG
36-First Mate Fishing.jpg
37-First Fish.JPG
Thanks for looking!

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VT_Jeff
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Re: GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by VT_Jeff »

Thanks for sharing, Doc! You did an iincredible job with the build and I know all too well about the staring and pondering! As I've said many times, catching your first fish from a boat you built is Nirvana, congrats! Personally, I'd take some corrosion over the short season we get here but glad you're looking at the brightside.
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.

Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie

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cape man
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Re: GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by cape man »

Congrats, and glad you persevered. What a steal on the paint!
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman

piperdown
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Re: GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by piperdown »

Gorgeous looking boat!!
Eric (aka, piperdown)

"Give an Irishman lager for a month and he's a dead man. An Irishman's stomach is lined with copper, and the beer corrodes it. But whiskey polishes the copper and is the saving of him." --> Mark Twain

Jeff
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Re: GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by Jeff »

Congrats & well done!!! Jeff

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gstanfield
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Re: GF14 - The Conch Fritter

Post by gstanfield »

Beautiful! Enjoy.
Previous builds: FL14, NC16, and others...

Current build: FL14 (+10%)

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