Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

[john51277]

Hard to believe I started the project back at the end of July, I still have a long way to go yet. I just got the ribs glassed in and ready for some biax. I stopped by and got some 6" paper discs for when I start on the outside of the hull. I am hoping I get the floor laminated and set in place by the following weekend. I am hoping I will not need any stringers in the hull for rigidity. I am down to the last few days left to fill er with foam. I am still contemplating whether or not to do it. I will be using 1/2" marine ply for the floor. I am definately going to put some oar locks on it for the NMZ (no motor zone).

Does anyone know how far you can go in a 14' boat (like mine) with a.....umm......oohh....hidden trolling motor?? Cut out the center like the old crab boats and lower it down through the bottom of the hull! shorten the handle and paddle, you could get far, fast!! Just kidding guys!!!!


Here are the latest pics of glassed in ribs.

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

So.................................To foam, or not to foam??? That is the quetion.

I need some expert advice on this one guys! Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

if you are going into open water to get to the flats, i would foam it. you never know when you might need to hold on to it. there are crazies out there.

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Well the places I will be fishing will only be a max of about 4ft, and I will be in the back water all the time, or on small ponds/lakes. I am thinking it will not have an OB motor on it now, maybe just a trolling motor with 2 batteries. It will be a very skinny water boat. I plan on poling it most of the time to sneak up on the fish. I need to know if I NEED it for structure. It will be either trailered or I will be in it. It will have one, maybe two bilge pumps on it. One for bilge, one for washdown,livewell. I do not have to worry about leaving it docked overnight and it getting swamped by rain. I also do not need to worry about idiots swamping me with wake as I will only be in no wake zones. I will be putting a layer of 1708 on the ribs tonight after I clean up the excess from the CSM I did last night.

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

I got the 1708 set up on the ribs this evening. How do I go about putting the cap on the ribs? I am still leery about screwing through the floor and into the top of the ribs. Won't that lead to water intrusion? I decided to get the glassing knocked out so I can get the drain holes cut out and sealed. I will try and get the floor laid by next week.

I am now thinking about the gunnels and how I am going to clean em up and maybe add some lightweight structural enhancement. What do you think about using some 1/4" ply glued to the side and glassed in? Or just grind and put in vertical gunnel supports, like 1X2s or 1X4s glued and glassed in? I will need to mount rod holders to it.

Here is a pic of the 1708 laid in. I have some trimming to do before the caps go on!

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Anyone please, im about to lay the floor this week. I need some guidance!!!

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Hay john how you doing ?? sounds like your stressing !! dont man this is the easy part , see if you can find some big cardboard, cut a template and tranfer to your plywood !! seal your plywood 3 coats min, glass it down , over lapp on the hull 3 or 4 inchs with the glass, then paint or carpet !! ohh put down some of the Pl before you put the deck down , and mark where your cross menbers are and put some screws in !! then glass over them !! and your set !! john

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Looks like your well on your way. Nice job and hope you keep updateing the pics. The oyster bed between Picnic Island and VFW Post is calling you!! LoL
Ron

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Here is a late update. I have been working alot lately and have not had a chance to post the updated pics. Here is my bad attempt at capping the ribs. I have some areas that have some air bubbles in it. I do not know if I need to grind down and put a patch in or just slap another layer of epoxy on it and call it good. I did grind the tops of the ribs round, vacuumed and cleaned twice with acetone. I capped them with a layer of 1708. I think it will hold well. I am not sure what type of mat or cloth to use for the underside of the floor. I was thinking a layer of 8 oz CSM. How many layers of epoxy on underside? 2-3?

Oh yeah I also have to drill some drainage holes from the bow back.

Going fishing in the Gulf tomorrow so the rods are ready for 4:30AM!!!

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Well, I finally got some free time and got the drainage holes drilled in the ribs. I also installed another rib in the back of the boat. That is where the floor will drop off into the bilge area. I still need to grind and cap and drill it, but this is where I am at now. Once I get the last rib complete, I will work on cutting the floor from 1/2" marine ply. I am going to put a layer of CSM on the underside along with an extra coat of epoxy for waterproofing and strength. I hope to get the floor set in soon! Am I doing everything the way I am supposed to? This is the first time I have done ANY of this kind of stuff with a boat. It seems to go smoother when I have a few extra cold beers along with the work. (although so does my sorry excuse for dancing)

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

LOOking good !!!! How did you do fishing ?? John

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Well we hit the river about 6:45 and got into the open water in the Gulf about 7:15. We ended up with a limit of trout about 11:00 and headed for some spoil banks in hunt of some reds. We caught about 10 short grouper in the flats too, so, It looks like it is time to do some trolling for the big guys!!!

 

[i386]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Coming together nicely. You're not the first and certainly won't be the last to deal with problems capping stringers/ribs. Luckily for me, my boat has neither. Read through Oops! Hull Extension thread. He got an education on capping stringers.

BTW, I used US Composites too. Their stuff worked great for me.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Well we hit the river about 6:45 and got into the open water in the Gulf about 7:15. We ended up with a limit of trout about 11:00 and headed for some spoil banks in hunt of some reds. We caught about 10 short grouper in the flats too, so, It looks like it is time to do some trolling for the big guys!!!

cool you had better luck then i had today !! and yesterday too !! LOL john

 

[zach103]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

What are you using epoxy or poly?

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

I am using epoxy only. It seems to have better waterproofing properties, and strength. I can't wait to float it in the water and see how it sits. I was thinking about registering it and putting the trolling motor which is a 40lb thrust and see what happens, Oh, and I will probably try and catcha fish at the same time too!!!

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Ok, It seems like I am making some progress. I have the last rib just in front of the bilge area faired, and glassed in and all of the ribs drilled for drainage and covered with 4 coats of epoxy to seal the holes. I got the floor cut and fitted just right. I used 1/2" marine ply for the floor with some 3-4 oz CSM on the underside with plenty of epoxy to seal it up nicely. I am about to order some more epoxy, this stuff does not go very far. I realized I needed some support in the front of the hull floor. The ribs are just a little too short to overlap it onto the bow floor. I fashioned a support out of 3/4" marine ply which I counter sunk some SS screws into and into the front rib. I faired it very heavily under it and a little on top. I then took some mat and glassed it in with two layers of that. It should hold, I hope. I will try and get the floor trimmed and set in place for some pics in the next day or two. Here are some pics. It was a hot day out there, especially working on getting the bottom side of the floor covered before it sets up on me. Not one bubble on it. I am going to enjoy this flat stuff!!!

 

[i386]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Looking good. You really could skip the CSM on the underside of your deck. 2-3 coats of epoxy resin on top, bottom and sides of the plywood is plenty. Once the deck is in you can glass it in with some CSM. That's just my opinion. Good work though, it won't hurt a thing except your wallet.

 

[john51277]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

Well, I figured it needed some more strength than just epoxy. What is the best method, type of glass to use on the top of the floor, where the traffic will be? I was thinking of using a layer of 1708 topped with a 4oz veil cloth to finish and then a gelcoat or something similar.

 

[i386]

Re: Flats boat PROJECT....Updated w/pics!

I've got 3 coats of resin on my plywood. That's just to seal out any moisture. Then I glassed it in with 1 layer of 6 oz. cloth. Just glassing in the deck took almost a gallon of resin. Even that is probably overkill. Looking back, CSM would probably have been just fine. I have a tendency to over engineer when I don't know for sure. My deck is rock solid. I'm a little over 200 pounds and it doesn't flex when I walk on it. I'm sure others will be glad to weigh in on what they recommend as well.