Trout boat under construction

[lee G.]

I used about 90 clamps when I was building mine, and could have used 20 more, cant have to many!

[Stein]

Wife and I flipped it over and I got the bottom chine logs installed and laid up one side of the sole with two layers of fiberglass.  Going to be a challenge flipping it over tomorrow as it is 24 feel long and only glassed on one side so kind of weak.  Strength comes when both sides are glassed.  Boat flip went easy, probably only 100 lbs at most.  Supposed to be around 250 when done.  Mine will be a bit heavier due to extra glass on the bottom and graphite/epoxy layer plus the extra 6" width but still should be under 300 lbs. empty.  Motor is only about 30 plus 20 for gas I figure 350 lbs all up. Yes, I'm bad about not returning cores when I buy new batteries but they work good for weights.

[Stein]

Oh, and I bought all of the 3" clamps that Menards had in stock.  Probably only 15 but it was enough that I wasn't deciding what got clamped and what didn't.  Another dozen should cover me.  The sole (floor) is going to be strategically screwed to the frames and chine logs so I should be good to go with supplementing those with clamps.  After the floor goes on the joint between the floor and chine log will get a 2" fiberglass tape with a 3" tape over that plus the entire bottom will be glassed with a 50" wide piece of fiberglass so at least I'll have three layers of glass on the edges.

On top of that I have graphite powder that I will mix into the epoxy that fills the weave of the bottom cloth.  It adds abrasion resistance as well as makes the boat slippery on rocks.  The guys that have done it claim it really helps on rocks and oyster beds.  It also makes the bottom jet black so no need for bottom paint.  It's only $7.00 for a pound of graphite so no loss if it isn't much better than the raw epoxy.  Messy, though, when mixing.  It's like powder you find in a toner cartridge.

[Stein]

Hadn't had a chance to work on this the last two evenings - client in town.  Got the bottom faired to the chine logs, epoxied and screwed down.  Next is to radius the bottom edge and two layers of 6 oz fiberglass tape.My shop is a disaster area.

 

[Stein]

Got two layers of 6 oz tape on the chines and then one layer of 6 oz cloth on the entire bottom.  Scarfed together the bottom strakes.  They go on next  bedded in thickened epoxy then roll on a couple of coats of graphite filled epoxy over the entire bottom.

 

[JF660R]

Sub'd     

[Stein]

Got the...skids? I don't know what they are called, installed.  Epoxied, screwed, filleted with thickened epoxy and taped with fiberglass.

Sanded the sides.  Flipped it tonight.  Nice to have a 20' boat that you and your wife can lift off the table and flip.  I doubt it is 200 lbs.  Supposed to be 250 when done.  Sanded some more.  Had to reorder supplies so visual progress will slow for a couple of days.  Still have some sanding and little interior features to make. Want to tie in the rear transom with some tansom knees so that will take some cutting and fitting.

[Gavin]

Looks great!

 

[Terrierman]

Have you considered poly bunks on the trailer?  I'm personally never putting carpet over wood again on any trailer I own.  That is an awesome build. 

About 20 years ago I built a wooden layout style duck boat that was also fiberglassed.  It's a lot of work but very rewarding.  Wound up donating that boat and a welded frame that would haul 3 boats of that style on a flatbed trailer to DU several years ago.  Hopefully someone is still using it.

Your boat looks really nice.  Can't wait to see it in person.

[Stein]

13 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

Have you considered poly bunks on the trailer?  I'm personally never putting carpet over wood again on any trailer I own. 

I doubt it only because I have a trailer that came with two sets of carpeted bunks and it really won't be getting used that much and this is a budget build.