Boat building

A first glance at the overall shape/design.

Deck pieces trimmed and screwed down for trial fitting. I have a few small areas that will need some support built-in to ensure the deck is fair, but overall pretty pleased with the overall shape and curves. I may drop the crown slightly on the #s 1 and 2 bulkheads slightly, it looks a touch high to my eye... but I'm going to think on that a bit over the next few days while I plan for cleats and any other items that will go on the deck. There is still a lot of work to do "below deck", but I wanted to do this trial-fitting now so I can plan for and complete support and other work while the boat is still open and everything easily accessible.

IMG_20260303_134309.jpg

IMG_20260303_134238.jpg

IMG_20260303_134202.jpg

IMG_20260303_134134.jpg

IMG_20260303_134100.jpg
 
Last edited:
Sweet looking little boat. I think that forward deck looks okay. If you aren't planning on using it like a casting deck or something (ie., standing on it), I think the curve is fine, surely help to drain water off. I'd plan on some coaming to help prevent water from draining into the cockpit area. The other thing I'd think about is if you plan to use it for fishing is rod storage. It's nice to keep a rod or two strung up ready to go. Most flats skiffs have PVC tubes that run into the forward berth with slots to hold the rod along the rear bulkheads. You slide the tip of the rod into the PVC tube, lay the rest of the rod into the slots and secure it with an elastic bungy. I guess the same could be considered if you're hunting - could you design storage for a rifle or two, binocular or scope slot, etc.
 
Last edited:
DLJeffs said:
Sweet looking little boat. I think that forward deck looks okay. If you aren't planning on using it like a casting deck or something (ie., standing on it), I think the curve is fine, surely help to drain water off. I'd plan on some coaming to help prevent water from draining into the cockpit area. The other thing I'd think about is if you plan to use it for fishing is rod storage. It's nice to keep a rod or two strung up ready to go. Most flats skiffs have PVC tubes that run into the forward berth with slots to hold the rod along the rear bulkheads. You slide the tip of the rod into the PVC tube, lay the rest of the rod into the slots and secure it with an elastic bungy. I guess the same could be considered if you're hunting - could you design storage for a rifle or two, binocular or scope slot, etc.
Click to expand...
It will definitely have coaming. I do plan to use the front for a casting deck, but the primary purpose of winter hunting definitely requires some crown to help water run off (much more likely to be out in more of a blow in winter). I'm not too worried about the crown with regards to standing on it... but have an add-on idea in mind if I decide it needs a flatter surface once I have it on the water. My thinking on reducing the crown a tad on the first 2 bulkheads would be to allow a little drop in the deck from the cockpit to the nose - but I want to look at it a while, probably not necessary.

In the third picture, you can see a cutout in the forward bulkhead and similar shape in the bulkhead behind it. A shelf will run the length of the cockpit on both sides - and that cutout is intended to accommodate longer items, like fishing rods. I haven't planned how to secure them, yet - I like your ideas - as I wanted to get to this stage so I could actually have a fly rod on board and see best how it fits in and out, or whether I just need to come up with a deck mount plan. I have an idea for the latter with some movable/removable holders that fit on the coaming.
 
Thin wall HDPE/PVC pipe works well for fishing rod protection like we're talking about. It will easily bend to conform to the shape of the hull. If a complete pipe doesn't work, you can slice it in half or even just slice a section out to allow the rod to just set straight down inside. You'll need to figure out where the reel will land so you can modify the pipe accordingly. Simple small bungies, like women's long hair bands work for securing the rod without putting too much stress on the rod.
 
Haven't updated for a while - a combination of slower work due to other priorities and the work that has been done has largely been setup/prep/testing stuff I wanted to do before finishing out the inside... but here are a few pics.

Experimenting with blind ideas...
IMG_20260311_140946.jpg

IMG_20260311_140910.jpg


Pad for future trolling motor...

IMG_20260323_153548.jpg


Electrical layout - figuring out where to place things for easiest access when decked, planning for supports, etc...

IMG_20260410_100900.jpg

IMG_20260410_100927.jpg


Shelving dimensioned and dry-fitted. Will add fiddles (lip) along the inner edge and scupper holes for drainage before final install...

IMG_20260425_083935.jpg
 
Last edited:
SENC said:
Haven't updated for a while - a combination of slower work due to other priorities and the work that has been done has largely been setup/prep/testing stuff I wanted to do before finishing out the inside... but here are a few pics.

Experimenting with blind ideas...
View attachment 288068

View attachment 288069


Pad for future trolling motor...

View attachment 288070


Electrical layout - figuring out where to place things for easiest access when decked, planning for supports, etc...

View attachment 288071

View attachment 288072


Shelving dimensioned and dry-fitted. Will add fiddles (lip) along the inner edge and scupper holes for drainage before final install...

View attachment 288073
Click to expand...
By the way Henry, I don’t see where the whisky cabinet is laid out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top