New Build I'm Pondering.

Dave Sikorski

Dave Sikorski

Well-known member
I'm planning on building a boat with the same construction techniques as the gator boats. I basically want to build a flat bottomed rockerless Gator hull, with steeper sides and a built in blind similar to a Schellinger high boat.

I'm thinking around 16x48, w/ 30" gunnels and flip doors around 1.5ft. I have the cockpit sketched in @ 11' w/ the remaining 5' split between the bow deck and a splashwell. The bow deck will probably end up with a flat spot for a dog. 3 guys and a dog should fit just fine

It will be for marsh duty so a mudmotor will most likely power it. I also have a 15 I will try on it.

So anyway....I'm ready to get a budget put together and try and determine the final weight of the boat.

I still haven't decided how to build the hull. Plywood or cedar strips?? I'd like to do round chines and want the interior to have as few bulkheads as possible.

I know I should know this by now after watching a bunch of boats built here, but what kind of ply should I use for the hull and decking?

What options do I have to make the hull slick and abrasion resistant without adding too much weight? I imagine it will find a few stumps and plenty of grass and mud.

How much glass on the hull is enough?

Has anyone figured out the weight differences between ply and cedar stripping?

I'll finish my drawings and get them scanned and posted and get some comments.

Thanks,

D
 
dave,
the cedar strips would be lighter and allow for the round chines you could use a light glass inside and decking but add a few layers mabe even a kevlar layer to the bottom . plywood f course would be easy to work with and cheap. what about a plain soild fiberglass hull and deck (still maybe be top heavy)
first thing that comes to mind with those boats (freind had one) is when you start increaseing things the boat is top heavy. not sure how you would mix it in but the way hicth did his boat blind with the real light alum seems much safer in my mind


what ever way you go please keep us posted with pictures
 
Don't think a 15hp will be enough. You will probably need at least a 25 or maybe even a 40 hp.

I really like the idea of 30" sides.

Good Luck,
Harry
 
Ok weight aside....does the buoyancy of wood/glass vs. aluminum have anything to do with what a boat drafts?

So two boats, same geometry, one wood/glass and one aluminum and make them the same weight. Would the wood one float higher?

I know I could look this up but I'd rather just act Polish. :)

-D
 
Draft is a matter of overall weight and displacement of the hull. It doesn't matter what it is made of. I have seen concrete canoes here in town at the University.

Have you thought about using an existing plan and just changing the deck configuration to suit? I have seen plans for 'Flats' boats that I assume go really shallow.
 
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