Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ok, here's a rough mock up of my layout. Starting at bow I have a 24" bow deck, then a 32" standing platform with trolling battery & 30"x15" custom built in live well with a tempress 13" x 24" access hatch over well and a 11"x15" over battery. Then follows floor space and cooler to starboard side with seat cushion, then future custom built steering station (note the mock up uses one ripped out of this boat....and custom unit will be built in more simple and at correct height, ect.). Next is floor space/leg room and Bench seat that will have 42" x 12" seat and 6"back snap on cushions. The gas tank will be located centered under open bench seat. Next is main bulkhead that will also form the 6" back rest for bench seat. Then finally the 38" rear platform/deck (to be flush with cap and provide a small splash well at motor. The main battery is located on the stern side of the main bulkhead under rear deck. There is dry storage each side of rear deck with 11"x15" access hatches and also one for the battery & bilge area.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Here's a pic of the main battery location astern of main bulkhead and then location of livewell and trolling mtr battery at bow.

I'm using sticks & glue gun to pattern the bulkheads.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Nice work. You are flying! Keep up the good work.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

It is amazing how well mock-ups help in making the new layout work by letting you visualize the spatial relationship everything has.
Thanks to a bunch of notes, cardboard, sticks and hot glue, I have been able to work out a lot of the details that will be going into the redesign of my interior...
Looking forward to how yours is shaping up...

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Today I got all my bulkheads at stern storage compartment and bench seat roughed out ......everything is just tacked in with hot glue .....still have to add some framing and make the big cutouts at the bench support & bench back bulkheads for access thru to stern. The 2 side storage compartments will get foam at end by transom and are sealed bulkheads for dry storage, with access thru hatch on deck. Once I get all the stern & bow build ins roughed, I'll remove and start epoxy coating and glueing in......thinking of using PL to do initial glue up....then followed up with epoxy fillets & glass tabbing...only decks, bench top & bench back will get glass....everything else 2 coats epoxy sealer.

Also rough out a mockup of pilot station. Basically a side console similar to a Boston Whaler.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I have all the aft & forward bulkheads and bench seat fabricated ready to glass in...so today I worked on the pattern and ply fabrication for the cap/gunnel build out. Trying to have all fabs ready for next few warm days to do all the glass work.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Mock ups and templates are really starting to take form...I really like the creative use of the measuring cup for a steering wheel hub, nice!:thumb:
Are the extra wide gunwales going to be used as a walk around fishing platform?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I believe so GT. I think he's going for a flats skiff set up with walk around gunnels, similar to the pics below.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

The gunnels are not really that wide.....only about 5 3/8" .....the faint dash black line is the inside face. I won't be walking these....just enough to sit on or step on when getting in or out. My design is going to be more of a cross between Flats skiff & fishing boat.....the stern deck is flush but the forward deck is down 6". There won't be any tower platform either.....My balance isn't what it use to be 20 yrs ago!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Going to put some plywood gussets below the new wider gunwale? W/ a drop down lip along the front edge.

Might consider adding some cutout notches in the gussets for rod storage..........

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

I see the doted line now. I'm curious to see how you tab into the old cap. F-glass scares me, but I've kind of had the itch (pun intended) lately to try to rebuild a small glasser. Of course, I used to have a sweet little 14' skiff, that would've been perfect, but I sold it before I knew any better :/

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Kfa, I intend to bevel the cap edge back and lay some strips of 17oz or 9 oz on the ply to make a filler...then 9 oz cloth over it all into the bevel, then fair with filler as needed. JB, The new ply/ cap with turned down face will be supported by gussets/brackets and I was planning some sort of rid storage there too.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Neato. Here's my first f'glass question for ya'. When you list the weight of the cloth in ounces that you're using is that for a square foot/meter/inch? Are "heavier" mats "stronger" than lighter ones? Oh, one more, CSM is chopped strand mat (right?) and it can be cut/torn into irregular shapes as needed whereas woven(?) mat is for covering large areas with a more consistent material, but they both use the same resin/epoxy, correct?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Neato. Here's my first f'glass question for ya'. When you list the weight of the cloth in ounces that you're using is that for a square foot/meter/inch? Are "heavier" mats "stronger" than lighter ones? Oh, one more, CSM is chopped strand mat (right?) and it can be cut/torn into irregular shapes as needed whereas woven(?) mat is for covering large areas with a more consistent material, but they both use the same resin/epoxy, correct?

Found this here, might help clear some of it up...
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ss-information-thread-286013.html#post1911357

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Kfa, Ya like the referenced thread by Gt, the 9oz cloth wgt is per sq yard. Heavier mats will hold more resin so it is stronger by resin thickness as well as cloth. With epoxy, I'm not using CSM since the binder is not compatible with it....although they do make a special CSM for epoxy. Epoxy, unlike Poly resin, does not need to be covered in CSM to prevent the resin from cracking because it is so much stronger and more flexible. I will cover all exposed plywood decks and surfaces with glass for a wearing surface and additional strength, but do not need to glass all the epoxy coated ply under decks.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Today my new gas tank and larger hatch came so i could finally dry fit these to verify the actual fit before epoxying in all the bulkheads and seat area. Everything fits fine and the larger hatch gives better access to the battery & bilge now. I will also provide seat base support for a fishing seat at the rear deck and forward deck. So I made all the cutouts at the seat and bulkheads and the gas tank is easy to pull out to fill. I may later add a 3" round access plate over the tank on the seat too.

So next 2 days of 70deg + ...... the plan is to do all sanding prep and epoxy & glass in all the bulkheads and cap/gunnel build outs!

I'm wondering which way to place the hatch hinge on the side hatches??

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

My vote is hinge on the outside....that's the way I did mine and I'm happy with it.

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Ya, that's the way I have them sitting now and it seemed to make most since.....as it feels more accessible from within the boat.....I just started questioning myself again!

 

[Fcdave]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Progress.....Finally got all my bulkheads epoxied in and about 90% glassed in ! A major milestone ! Tomorrow will finish up and work on the epoxying in the new fabricated cap rails/gunnels.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Convert 14' runabout into fishing boat for the SW FL flats

Lookin' real good. I love the new transom too. It will let you raise the motor to just the right height without any gizmos or extra mods.