Started Another Duck Boat Build

Good work on a very nice boat. How did the gas tank come out? Was it worth the wait?

I'm getting ready to install my hardwear and was wondering if I should thru-bolt my stern handles on or screw them through the hull into a hardwood block epoxied on the inside of the hull. I was thinking thru-bolt but this is in a sealed floatation compartment and I wouldn't have future access in case I needed to remove or replace the handles.
 
I may have missed it. About how much will that thing weigh with out a motor? Can you make a sofisticated wild guess?

Mark F. Cheney
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The plans said 265 pounds, but that was for a 15 1/2' boat. I down sized it 10 percent to 14' which should have saved about 5 to 7 percent, but then I added re-enforcements, splash well and increased transom height and thickness, plus the birch plywood weighs 25% more than okume. It is also 25% stronger. So maybe 275 pounds? I just painted it yesterday and will allow the paint to dry for several days. Later this week I plan on putting it on a trailer which I have modified to the boat. I'll weigh it when I hoist it up off the cradle and post the results. I can lift the front end easily and lift the backend with some effort.
 
Good work on a very nice boat. How did the gas tank come out? Was it worth the wait?

I'm getting ready to install my hardwear and was wondering if I should thru-bolt my stern handles on or screw them through the hull into a hardwood block epoxied on the inside of the hull. I was thinking thru-bolt but this is in a sealed floatation compartment and I wouldn't have future access in case I needed to remove or replace the handles.
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Gas tank came out great and was worth the wait. It cost $200.00, but fits light a glove into the bow. I estimate it to be about 8 or 9 gallons. My stren handles were bolted into the sponsons. I laid up three layers of the 1/4" birch plywood and epoxied to the inside of the sponsons as blocking, before filling with foam and adding the decking. I will be adding cleats to the back which will be screwed in, sealed with 3M 5200 sealant.
 
Thanks Dave. I am working on a concept boat with my brother the boat builder and trying to get a handle on where we are going with it. I was interested in what that kind of construction weighs in that size, about. Thank you again!

Mark F.. Cheney
 
I may have missed it. About how much will that thing weigh with out a motor? Can you make a sofisticated wild guess?

Mark F. Cheney
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Mark, I weighed the boat yesterday while putting it on trailer. With gas tank, some hard ware and 32' of 8 gauge battery running in place it weighed 245 pounds.
 
Dave

What is the price difference or cost to built with birch plywood vs marine plywood and do you think the birch would work as well if you built the boat at full size?

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Dave

What is the price difference or cost to built with birch plywood vs marine plywood and do you think the birch would work as well if you built the boat at full size?

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Dennis, Go to the fist page of this thread. I talked about the birch plywood and provided the manufactures web site for this product. It cost $28.00 per sheet and sold as underlayment at Menards. It is not marine plywood, but meets marine plywood specs. Menards provided the MSDS on it. It was five ply, 6mm guaranteed void proof, made with phenolic glue. For me it was easy to get, 25 minute drive. I used seven sheets. Were the plans called for two sheets of 9mm or 18mm, I just laminated enough to meet the plan requirements.
 
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Dave,
Really like the boat. How far up could you scale it do you believe? 16' 18' more?
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Brandon, I believe Bateau say you can scale their plans up or down 10 to 15 percent on length, width and height. Plus the plans are available in metric which make scaling them a snap, everything is in tenths. These were selling points for me over the Devlin boats. The plans for this boat were 15 1/2 foot. A 10 percent increase would put the boat just over 17'. I left the width lone, 5'8" beam and scaled the lenght down 10% and it came out right at 14'. I'll post a picture today of it on the trailer with the motor.
 
Dave,

Thanks for the weight. And thank you for the plywood comments again. It is all helpfull in constructing the matrice in my head of where I want to go with the design concept. Thank you.

Mark C.
 
Dave
Sorry. I must have over looked that first posting. I would like to know were the plywood was made. I also would like to know why you did not add extra bilge keels to the bottom since the bottom it is only 6mm (1/4"). Is weight reduction your goal? What is the opening distance between the sponsons? The amount of reduction in the plan looks like it worked well and the build job looks great. I am sure you will let us know how it performs this season.


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Dave
I would like to know were the plywood was made. I also would like to know why you did not add extra bilge keels to the bottom since the bottom it is only 6mm (1/4"). Is weight reduction your goal? What is the opening distance between the sponsons?
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Dennis,
All Bateau boat plans are designed by an engineer. Specs for building this hull call for 1/4" plywood and require glassing the outside and inside with 12 oz Biaxle cloth. Bateau say Biaxle cloth is 30% stronger than woven cloth. Much stronger than boats made with 6 or 9oz cloth. Also this plan has a sole (floor). Under the sole are four cross supports, each is filleted and taped with 12oz Biaxle tape to the hull, each has a 1x1" cleat on both sides at the top to support the sole, plus along the underneath edges there are also 1x1" cleats running between the supports. The sole is glued to all of these with epoxy putty, then taped all around the edges. It is then glassed and epoxied. The four compartment under the sole are filled with floatation foam. This makes for a strong and ridged hull. While it was in its cradle, supported only in the front and back, I would get in it to work with a step ladder. There was absolutely no give in the floor or hull.
Check the manufacture's web site for the location where it was made. Distance between the sponsns is 28".
 
I've always told the Bambi busters around here that you won't find many lazy duck hunters.
You are a prime example of that.

Most work extra hard and then work another hard 12 month a year job getting ready for and living through the duck season.

Are we all masochists?

Best,
Harry
 
I've always told the Bambi busters around here that you won't find many lazy duck hunters.
You are a prime example of that.

Most work extra hard and then work another hard 12 month a year job getting ready for and living through the duck season.

Are we all masochists?

Best,
Harry
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I'm also a Bambi buster, upland hunter, dog breeder,
 
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