HDPE boat

William Reinicke

Active member
@RM Anderson your post about building the sled reminded me of this woolridge boat. Pretty freaking sweet, but not for the price point they want. I didnt want to take away from the other thread so I figured I would start this one. I used the same material when my fenderwell bunks fell off on my bass boat trailer. Instead of doing wood with carpet, I did 1/2" HDPE just in case I bumped the boat on one and I figured it would never rot. Beyond crazy tough stuff.


 
William, You are correct, it is virtually indestructible. I've read of flyfishermen who use uhmw on their aluminum drift boats. Can't figure out a way to use it on stitch and glue though. Richard
 
I did some Google fuu and researching after I seen that vid a few days ago.

I would love to build a duckhunter out of it. Was going to order it and the welding rig and do a full build.But good God that stuff is so heavy.

The boat in that vid. Is 1100 lbs dry hull weight.

I have seen aluminum mud hull rigs that are the same size as that boat. And they don't come even close to that weight. And those boats are built like freaking tanks to withstand "drunken monkey" abuse.
 
I did some Google fuu and researching after I seen that vid a few days ago.

I would love to build a duckhunter out of it. Was going to order it and the welding rig and do a full build.But good God that stuff is so heavy.

The boat in that vid. Is 1100 lbs dry hull weight.

I have seen aluminum mud hull rigs that are the same size as that boat. And they don't come even close to that weight. And those boats are built like freaking tanks to withstand "drunken monkey" abuse.
Yup I got thickened aluminum on mine and even then, I think my hull comes in around 650lbs. I think with motor I am at like 950-1000. Aluminum is still my preferred go to but aluminum is loud. I bet that thing is whisper quiet like a glass boat comparatively.
 
Yup I got thickened aluminum on mine and even then, I think my hull comes in around 650lbs. I think with motor I am at like 950-1000. Aluminum is still my preferred go to but aluminum is loud. I bet that thing is whisper quiet like a glass boat comparatively.
Oh I'm 100% sure it's very quiet.

I been wanting to duplicate a duckhunter out of aluminum and either pair it with my 23 horse copperhead or a new 23 gtr mini.

But can't find a shop to work with to build it, they all want to use way to thick of aluminum for my wants/needs.

So next boat will be like the last okume with a triple layup of 6oz s glass and 5oz kevlar. And wetlander on the hull bottom.

But i sure would love a hdpe boat if it wasn't for the weight issue.
 
Glad to see someone with my same love for S glass. Really all the benefits of kevlar and the same ease of use as E glass. Richard
 
Yep. Triple layup up to the rub rails and top of transom and bow, then wetlander.

Decks just get one layer of 6oz glass and three layers of paint.
I actually meant cold molding the bottom panels with UHMW. Certain epoxies such a G-Flex will bond to UHMW once abraded and flame treated. Richard
 
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