new member

[dmc602]

Hi I am new here. I have been doing a lot of reading here. I am building my first boat. It is something I have always wanted to do even when I don't know a lot about it.
I will need a lot of help if yall are willing to help. I have already started and have the stringers,ribs and most of the outer skin cut to fit.
I am building a wide flat bottom for fishing shallow water in the bays. Here is the size. It is 18ft long 6ft wide in the bottom and 17in sides which is all plywood. It will be decked on top where I will place a center console. Of course it will all be glassed. This is where I will need the most help.
My first question is why does a man create so much work on him self.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: new member

Probably because he likes boats. That's pretty much the connection I've made. Once you like boats, there's no going back to the carefree days of being ok doing nothing in particular. There's always another project.

Are you working from plans, and if so, whose? Show us some pics

Erik

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: new member

Have fun DMC. I built a kayak about 8 years ago and had a great time doing it, which was a good thing as it took me about 200 hours (twice as long as most others building the same boat, from what I gather). Erikgreen is spot on with his comments.

 

[dmc602]

Re: new member

Probably because he likes boats. That's pretty much the connection I've made. Once you like boats, there's no going back to the carefree days of being ok doing nothing in particular. There's always another project.

Are you working from plans, and if so, whose? Show us some pics

Erik

Erikgreen there is no plans except what is in my head. This is just something I have come up with from looking at other boats and for the type of fishing I do. Here is some pictures where I first started. I am not sure if I am doing pictures right.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: new member

No plans at all? You're coming up with the design by yourself? Very nice! I hope it turns out well for you.

 

[dmc602]

Re: new member

No there is no plans. My stringers and transom are made of 3/4 ply doubled. My ribs are of 5/8 and cut to notch in with stringher. The sides and bottom will be out of 1/2 in. I am going to deck the top where i can place a center console.
What I need to know is after the glass work do I need to gel coat are can I just prime and paint with a good paint like Interlux? I have never handled gelcoat. Of course I have never built aboat either.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: new member

If you are completly glassing the out side (and inside) of the boat then it is really up to you whether or not to use Gel Coat or paint. I would suggest paint. Paint would be far easier to apply and ultimately maintain then gel coat, IMHO.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: new member

This is going to be one heavy boat. IMHO

Albert

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: new member

Looks like a great project, once boat building/owning/repairing is in your blood its hard to do something else. Keep us posted.

 

[dmc602]

Re: new member

This is going to be one heavy boat. IMHO

Albert

I am guessing that it will weigh about 1000 lbs. I will have more weight in glass than wood. I will glass all of it and paint only the outside. It will be powered with a 115 Johnson so I want it to be strong. I would hate to be sitting there and the motor pass me. My son said that if the 115 didn,t work we could always put his 225 on it. I don't think so. I can see this boat in my mind I just need to get all pieces to puzzle put together.I found a web site that give weight of plywood so have a close figure on the weight.
I still have a long way to go. I just need so warm weather so I can start glassing. I am in the Fla panhandle. It is going to be in the 30's again this week.
I have more pictures on poto bucket I just don't how ot place them here.
Thanks for the replys.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: new member

The standard disclaimer: I'm no expert nor do I have much experience. But, from what I've read...... if you elect to use paint, see if an epoxy barrier coat is recommended by the paint manufacturer underneath the "finish" paint. Not all paints (especially one part paints) are totally waterproof hence the need for a barrier. I'm generally speaking of bottom paints here.

I haven't done any research into gel coats, since I'm planning to paint the bottom of my project boat with an antifouling paint of some kind.

 

[jspano]

Re: new member

dc

set up a photobucket actt. resize photos to fit the forums and the insert the into the body of the post. you will get more views