Boat Customization - New Project?

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

I posted my pic before I saw yours, it looks just about the same at that stage.

Just an idea (see pic), If your glass rail extends over the wood deck you could secure 2x4 blocks screwed counter sunk thru the cap(white dots in pic) ( fill holes) fasten to deck, face with plywood, glass it all in to tie front cap to deck and you'll be rock solid.
Just a couple more things I also used white wood and reg ply wood, I had a problem with mildew growing, I ended up cleaning all the mildew and sealing wood with clear spray sealer, you may consider this before closing deck. Couple cans maybe 15 bucks.
Also if you plan on carpeting deck and deck hatches you need to consider the carpet thickness and your hatch sizes if you will be wrapping carpet around to underside of deck to secure. Just a few ideas, doing great keep it up.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

I posted my pic before I saw yours, it looks just about the same at that stage.

Just an idea (see pic), If your glass rail extends over the wood deck you could secure 2x4 blocks screwed counter sunk thru the cap(white dots in pic) ( fill holes) fasten to deck, face with plywood, glass it all in to tie front cap to deck and you'll be rock solid.
Just a couple more things I also used white wood and reg ply wood, I had a problem with mildew growing, I ended up cleaning all the mildew and sealing wood with clear spray sealer, you may consider this before closing deck. Couple cans maybe 15 bucks.
Also if you plan on carpeting deck and deck hatches you need to consider the carpet thickness and your hatch sizes if you will be wrapping carpet around to underside of deck to secure. Just a few ideas, doing great keep it up.

Thanks for the ideas. The deck is going to end up getting a non-slip rubber type paint or vinyl. The deck is also going to end up getting glassed to the hull. As for the idea around the cap... I have 2x4 supports cut for under the cap as well as made a trolling motor pedal holder up under the very front of the bow. Once they are all in place then I'm going to grind the cap edges down and actually probably just leave all that space open. Provides a little more room for feet and even temporary 'get the hell out of the way stupid tackle tray' storage.

I'm hoping to hop back on to this project right away but my new tattoo on my right wrist ended up infected. An infection and diabetes don't mix and I'd rather not scrape and scratch the thing until it's all healed up. It is getting better and I may just wrap it up nice and good to protect it. Expect more pictures soon.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Sure wish I had the advantage of having the overhang at the top of the gunwale. I have to fasten my plywood gunwale material to the fiberglass on edge. I'm dreading it, I've put it off all winter, guess it's time to get it done. Thanks for the inspiration, seeing your poject again makes me want to get back to work on my boat.

max!

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

No prob, can't wait to see pics.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Well, it finally warmed up enough to start working again and me selling my house has motivated me to finish this thing (maybe not cosmetics) before May 15th. I wanted the wood work done and it solid enough to move to the new place (rental with no garage *sigh*). Soooo, I made some progress.

The stern section is framed

The starboard side will have the starting battery and storage. I'm also going to clean up the wiring and controls a bit. Will probably build a channel for them to run through in-between the battery and storage. I had to modify my design a bit because I couldn't get the gas tank far enough back under the splashwell. This is ok because what I decided on was a 6" x 30" compartment that will hide the controls, wiring, fill line, vent line and fuel line. The top of that will allow access to everything inside as well. Still enough room for a stern pedestal seat and even a couple of cup holders on the top of that compartment.

The port side, in my mind, will house the two trolling motor batteries. Instead of a double lid compartment (separated), I'm thinking of going with a single lid with a support in the middle (to allow for people to walk on it). My thought is that because I don't know about weight distribution until this thing hits the water and I have at least one person with me... I'm not sure that is the right place for the batteries. I also have the step to the bow deck that is large enough to house the batteries. I'm thinking what may end up happening is I may just run cables to both locations and have battery hold downs in both so I can shift weight around as it's needed. Just gives me quick options while on the water and both places can be used for storage otherwise.

The other thing I'm going to do and hopefully finish in the next few days is put two supports under the beam that is in front of the tank so that I can sheet either side and have a fold out table. It'll be hinged at the top and depending on what I decide will either be 13" long with fold out legs, or 22" long (second hinged piece) with fold out legs. Because the boat has been and will be used for fishing and recreation, having a nice hidden gem like that would come in handy for setting up lunches or just one extra surface for bait/hooks/etc, maybe even a BBQ.

Only two real problems I have right now is the vent line and my time frame.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

BTW... my cat approved of this post...

LOL


Also, just before Easter my girlfriend and I went to visit my grandma who just found out she has liver cancer. Wanted to see her one more time before she leaves us. She's 98 and won't get treatment. She has lived in an awesome little town called Kamsack about 3 hours from where I was born for pretty much her whole life. My dad grew up there and besides learning to play pool and golf there, the river is very accessible and my dad always fished there growing up. He started me out fishing there from the banks and the very first time we ever went out together he had to get his license re-newed. Stopped at the hardware store and the lady asked where we were going. Dad told her and she warned us to watch out for snags. My young mind wandered the whole time after I heard the word 'snag' and the whole day I think I only had my line in the water 2 or 3 times. I thought snags were river monsters.

Anyways, got over it eventually and while me and my girlfriend were in Kamsack I took her to the spot where I caught my first ever fish. Was a decent sized Jack on my very last cast while my dad was being given free pumpkins by the guy that owned the land surrounding the river (Halloween). So I took a few pictures of the spot and thought I would share.

This is the west side of the road, the 'calm and shallow' side. Just to the right of the center of the river is where I though I was snagged until my line started going directly across the river.

This is the busy side. Because this was taken during spring run off, the river was high and flowing pretty good through the culverts. Later in the year it'll look like the previous picture.

We always went back to that spot and my dad would always catch jack on the side in picture #2 (when it was calm though). During this time of the year the carp ALWAYS hang out on the fast flowing side and years after my first fish we'd snag them with heavy hooks. We once saw three guys down there, one of them sitting on a culvert and grabbing the carp with his hands as they shot out from the calm side. Just some reminiscing I was able to do.