Trent's FS14 LS Build

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Dougster
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by Dougster »

Really does look good. Kinda like a great big version of my SK-14, which would be more versatile for me. Grab rail sure looks handy. And I have no doubt I'd be using that nice seat.

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VT_Jeff
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by VT_Jeff »

Agree, that seat is sweet!

Glad you tabbed that transom to the deck. I still have not, so while you learned from my experience, I did not. 8O
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

Mojosmantra
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by Mojosmantra »

Electrical is done and plumbing is done (unexciting pics to come). I'm on to the fuel system, which brings up a question for Cameron and Jeff. I think we all have the same fuel tank from Boyd's. There is no grounding tab. How did you guys go about grounding the tank? I got my tank with an add-on fuel level gauge. Do you think I should use one of those screws? My other thought was to just ground from one of the mounting flanges. What do you guys think?

bamaguy0
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by bamaguy0 »

I stacked a ground from the fuel sender and to the ground bus at my fuse block to one of the mounting feet screws.

My sender came with a cork seal and it's not advisable to ground thru threads, so that's why I didn't tie the grounds together at the sender screws.

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VT_Jeff
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by VT_Jeff »

I didn't ground mine but I like Cameron's idea of attaching to the mounting tab. My tank has no filler neck, no grounding tab and I have no sending unit, no fuel gage. I don't recall if there are any screws for a sending unit but I'll check. After a bunch of reading, I'm going to run a wire from the tank to the negative battery terminal, not sure how I missed the static issue before.
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

bamaguy0
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by bamaguy0 »

The sending unit mount is an add on. You'd know if you had it. Big hole, 5 threaded holes.

Mojosmantra
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by Mojosmantra »

Well, I'm happy and sad to say that she's done. Aside for some seadek in the cockpit and shortening the trolling motor shaft, she's done. I purchased the materials and picked them up in mid-March last year, so it's been a year. Can't wait to splash her, start dialing her in, and get the storage situated - but I'm going to miss the build process. I had more enjoyment from this build than anything I've ever worked on...

On to some pics to catch up since my last post:

Plumbing - pretty simple. Bilge pump, live well pump and live well drainage:

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Fuel tank:

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Electrical: My first shot at wire organization was a disaster. I had to pretty much start all over and ended up here. Still not the best, but tidy enough. This hatch houses all of the electrical - battery, switch panel, battery switch, ground terminal, trolling motor circuit breaker and battery charger.

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Non-slip: This was the big lift. I used the "Boatworks Today" method with soft sand.

Taping her up:

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Laying the soft sand:

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Overburden of soft sand removed:

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First coat of paint. It really sucks it up. It took 24 oz. of paint, where I typically could have painted this area with 6 oz. So, 4 times the paint.

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My biggest concern was the tape removal and whether I would end up with clean edges. I seriously fretted about this but it came out really well I think:

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Motor & Rubrail: Got the motor and rub rail installed with some assitance from my wife and a good friend. I really wanted to get the rub rail from BBC, but I just didn't plan well enough dimensionally for what they offer. The Taco Suproflex was the perfect dimension. I went around in circles on that due to cost but my wife convinced me to take the plunge. Honestly, I miss the square chunky aesthetic of the bare rubrail but I'm guessing this will grow on me:

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Trolling Motor: Last step was to get the trolling motor installed. This is a 54" shaft - way more shaft than needed. I plan to cut it down after some on-the-water testing:

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Still waiting on the seadek I ordered. Nothing fancy - just some sheet material that I'll cut myself. Until that arrives, the focus shifts to the davit rigging for her...

bamaguy0
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by bamaguy0 »

She's a beaut! Heck of a job! That chrome rub rail really pops on the all white boat. I couldn't pull it off as I've been bumping mine pretty good already.

Regarding TM shaft, I suspect you'll end up around 36-42. Mines 42 and the collar is halfway up the shaft when trying to keep the motor as shallow as possible.

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VT_Jeff
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by VT_Jeff »

Total bar-setter, immaculate work! Jewelry. I suspect that will generate quite a few fs14ls plan sales! Can't wait to get a close look!

Have you run it?
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

Mojosmantra
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Re: Trent's FS14 LS Build

Post by Mojosmantra »

Thanks Guys! Yes, motor took all of 5 seconds to start up.

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