Building the DHmini....

Brad,

Awesome build pics and great workmanship! Thanks for sharing. Now I want a new boat:)
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Thanks David, I'm glad I started with this one at the same time as the DH. Although, I've probably been paying this one too much attention :)

Brad
 
Very nice... a couple of questions for ya...

Did you modify the DH plans or do they now carry scaled "mini" plans...all the plans I saw were for full size DH models...

What size HP motor are you thinking about running on the mini?

Thanks in advance,

James
 
No plans offered through gator boats, I basically did a 25% reduction in most areas. Its only going to rate for around a 3hp, but I wouldn't hesitate to run one of the 5hp briggs or similar motors if it were mine.

Brad
 
Goeff,
I am with you on a big boat, esp when a ride up a mast is involved or a boat needs all the DC amp. conservation it can get, like a sail boat. But for a duck boat I think a bulb is fine for now till the market catches up in a year or two. We have done a number of conversions at work and they are awesome, but the bill would curl your duck tail.

Brad,
Boat looks awesome and you are well on the way to a sweet duck getter.
Cant wait to see the test run photos.
 
Got the liner sprayed in today. Won't be long now. Should be able to run the electrical stuff tomorrow and fill the compartments with foam. Sides should be on by the weekend. This little boat is rolling right along!

I used Grizzly Grip on this boat knowing that I wouldn't need a full gallon kit of the normal sprayin liner I use, I did however spray it. I've used it on the decks of several boats before but this is the first time I've used it inside the boat, It seeps up under the masking tape a little bit but other than that I'm very pleased.

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All eletrical is going to be powered from here, the panel and battery are dry fitted in the pic. There is a bus bar underneath to minimize the number of wires going to the battery.

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Brad
 
Getting it done on the mini. Sides and coaming are on. Sides are glassed, need to tape the seams where the rubrails and sides meet along with the top deck and the coaming. Spend the afternoon working on the grass rails, which I should finish up this evening. I'll install them after the glassing is done.

Only thing she lacks now other than what was mentioned above is building the rear door, flipping it back over to glass the keels, paint and blind doors (which I still need to make the attachment points for.

Sideview...
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Rearview, drainplug installed...
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Bilge pump in, the outlet will go through the top of the rear deck and then 90 over the transom...
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Electronics controls, also an additional 12v outlet mounted on the side of the box. Note the drains on the front of the box in case any water ever gets inside...
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Front view, bow eye installed...
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Brad
 
Getting ready to flip the mini over to glass the keels and finish off the bottom, not much left now except for paint and installing the blind doors once its righted.

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Had to do a little cutout on the front of the battery holder so it will go in and out easier.
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Bilge plumbed in and routed over the top of the transom to give it a higer outlet...
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You can see the bilge outlet here coming back at a 90, the other pvc stob is to route the fuel line through...
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Brad
 
Boat looks great Brad!!! What size battery is that??
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Thanks Charlie, its one of the 12v sealed lead acid like used to run a deer feeder. Will be plenty of power for the running lights, LEDs and bilge and small enough that you can carry a spare in the boat.
 
Bottom done and ready to be flipped back upright. The mini has a the graphite coated bottom and is slicker than owl snot. I like the new keel strip style and have carried over to the DH you see in the background.

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Brad
 
Thanks Shermie, I'm learning all the time :)

I will own one of the mini's for myself. The more I work on this little boat, the more I like it. With all of the rocker, I imagine it will tow well too.
She's back upright, sprayed the decks with Grizzly Grip today...
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Built the running seat/backrest and it turned out nicely if I do say so myself.
There is a piece of aluminum angle that catches on the coaming to keep it in place while hunting...
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Here you can see it on for running the motor...
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And here in the boat as a backrest...
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Finally, the blind doors are attached. Left an opening at the front of the cockpit so the barrel of your gun can rest on the coaming. They are really light weight and once grassed this boat is going to be invisible...
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Brad
 
Well she's pretty much done, I'm still waiting on the aluminum bracket so the motor is just set in place right now. I'll have to wait for some side to side comparison pics with a standard DH, as its raining here today. I'll also get some pics with me in the boat for size reference as well as some water test pictures. With the overcast skies and my camera the colors aren't too true but you can still get a good idea of the finished product.

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Brad
 
Brad,

Nothing short of fantastic work.

Thinking of constructing a custom seat as well. Would you mind telling us where we might be able to get the cushion material you used? Also, do you know if it is non water absorbing material on that seat cushion? Thanks.
 
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