The new TDB Blackjack build

Tony H

Well-known member
Guys sorry been away for a breif period. We are still working out the fine details with the 14ft tdb classic so we decided to move on with another boat and do double duty this way. This time the new TDB Blackjack. AKA AA old armstrong boat. Thought you might like to see how were building it.

To bring up up to speed since we didnt take any early pictures of the build. We are building the Blackjack using csm and 2408 biaxial. All hand laid as will be all the boats. We chose to build the stringers from HD foam and then glassed them to the hull and covered with resin and 2408 as well. Now that you can picture whats taking place here is an update.

Here is a sneak peak at progression:tu
We are skipping around here so we dont take 2 hrs to show the process. I think you will get the idea:tu
The molds sprayed up with gelcoat.
BJ1.jpg

Next the liner has been put in place and glued to the hull. Note the thickness of the liner. Its aproximatley 1/2" thick and strong as hell.
bj2.jpg


Here is a shot of the side of the liner where it is glued to the hull. After this cures we then glass the hull and liner using 2408 bixial cloth as well.
bj3.jpg


This shot is of the 1" core HD transom foam and how its glassed with 2408 Biaxial and the liner joint being glued to the transom core.
bj4.jpg

This is where things start looking amazing. Please not that all the foam chambers are now full of floatation foam. There is 3 cubic feet of foam in the transom pods and 2.8 cubic feet down both the port and starboard side of the boat. The real show stopper here is the liner hull area where they meet. IF you look back at picture 2 you will see this area and what it looks like after being glued. This is what it looks like after we seal it using milled fibers poly resin and gelcoat. A perfect color match and a smooth seam that makes the liner part of the boat.

bj5.jpg

And a close up of the transom. remember the hull is three layers of 2408 biaxial cloth and 1" HD foam core that is then covered in 2408 biaxial cloth. Then the Liner forms to the Transom for strength and then you have this.
bj6.jpg


So there you have it. A short teaser on how we are building the new TDB Black Jack. More to come as we finish the build. Next installing hardware, wiring and putting the deck on. Then to a scale to see what she weighs. I can tell you this. there is no flex anywhere in this boat. Its super super strong. I guestimate it at 300lbs.
 
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Tony,

What kind of power will she run? I can only assume she'll be a rocket ship with a 25 hp 2-stroke:)


25hp cant wait to get it on the water and play with it myself. Looking for a 25hp yammy just for this baby.
 
Tony, looks good and not to stir the pot like I seemed to do in other post. But what were the reasons choosing the black jack to put back in production. I've never seen one on water, trailered or really mentioned on forums? I would of thought the broadbill would of came first. Or don't you own that mold?

Just curious,
Gene R
 
Tony, looks good and not to stir the pot like I seemed to do in other post. But what were the reasons choosing the black jack to put back in production. I've never seen one on water, trailered or really mentioned on forums? I would of thought the broadbill would of came first. Or don't you own that mold?

Just curious,
Gene R

Gene we get alot of calls for the blackjack from the south. They are very popular in the southern states. The broadbill we have the hull and deck moldsbut will have to make a liner mold for it. But its coming right after the wigeon.
 
The black jack is a great boat. We have one with a 25 Yamaha and a wigeon with 10 mercury. The blackjack is roomy and beamy with plenty of room for 2 people and a dog. It will do about 25 with that load. We use it in tidal marshes where you need to get into skinny water mud flats and creeks and also be able to travel a few miles. It is easy to handle push polling and sliding off mud banks, dragging into grass our up on a bank, and also to take off and put on a trailer, no problem for one person. One of our guys made side panels that flip up for a blind, they add another foot to the height when hunting for two our if there is only one you can sit down on the deck like a traditional sneak. The hull rides nice on the twists and turns of the creeks when you learn how to apply your power, but it can slide out on you if you are not banked going into a turn at speed. It is also a fun boat to fish out of. I like both of our AA hulls, but am definitely favoring the blackjack the longer we have it and as i get older. I feel safe in this boat for the areas that we hunt, which have 4-5'tides, so there is almost always moving water. It is also easy to push pole out when the tide drops out on you, which is going to happen sooner our later. I would say tight to medium water is best for this boat, it can handle the chop near shore on Delaware bay but i don't do it. We've never taken water in the cockpits of either of these boats, they are really dry. I am glad to see you are making these Tony and wish you success, it is a great design and very versatile.
 
Tony, Very good, just didn't realize the following. It's good you have demand on hand. Next trip to visit family out in Indian a i need to stop by, if ya give tours?

GeneR
 
Okay Guys here she is Glued and Screwed. We use Plexus and #12 Stainless Screws to put this together. First we grind away the gelcoat on the hull 3/4" where the deck will cover and then we apply plexus primer we then predrill every hole almost 100 of them and then insert the screws halfway and then glue the joint. Then we go back and tighten the screws leaving aprox. 1/4" all the way around the boat. Plexus is the BEST glue you will ever use. Its bond is like no other.

And this is what it looks like.
sideglue.jpg



sideglue2.jpg


bowglue.jpg


Now we have another thing to consider. We can add a molding around the boat or we can go with straight screws. The molding might be the best way but keep in mind that will raise the cost of the boat even more to do that. Thoughs? Just screws or molding as well?

Next is building a new blind system. We plan to try to incorperate a spray dodger with sides for the boat rather than the cheesy square style blind of the past. thoughts?
 
Tony,

It's a great looking boat. Just my 2 cents but don't leave it looking unfinished. Add a rub rail and the added protection it offers. I replaced my rub rail on my 17' boat at a cost of $150. You buying in bulk would be considerably less and when one is looking at a $4,000 - $5,000 investment the cost of the rub rail isn't even in the equation.

View attachment mbnK0PEZhKJD_pViGi8VHsA.jpg
 
Tony,

It's a great looking boat. Just my 2 cents but don't leave it looking unfinished. Add a rub rail and the added protection it offers. I replaced my rub rail on my 17' boat at a cost of $150. You buying in bulk would be considerably less and when one is looking at a $4,000 - $5,000 investment the cost of the rub rail isn't even in the equation.


Ed what is that photo of? I like it? I only got a 1" wide area for the trim and am almost certain we will add something as your right. It looks great but looks unfinished without a trim now that I have the boat on the floor. :) so searching for trim now actually. in 3/4" width.
 
Sounds good, I have the short shaft, all I need is the boat !!
We'll see when you get all finished and have it priced for sale
 
Tony,

It's a great looking boat. Just my 2 cents but don't leave it looking unfinished. Add a rub rail and the added protection it offers. I replaced my rub rail on my 17' boat at a cost of $150. You buying in bulk would be considerably less and when one is looking at a $4,000 - $5,000 investment the cost of the rub rail isn't even in the equation.


Ed what is that photo of? I like it? I only got a 1" wide area for the trim and am almost certain we will add something as your right. It looks great but looks unfinished without a trim now that I have the boat on the floor. :) so searching for trim now actually. in 3/4" width.

Tony,

I got this off of ebay. I got it from Great Lakes Skipper. I believe I found it was from a company called Taco. It's 1 1/8" wide so it may be a bit wide for your application. Neat stuff. It's a rigid plastic channel with a plastic insert. http://www.ebay.com/itm/STANDARD-1-1-8-X-5-8-INCH-X-53-FOOT-RIGID-BOAT-RUB-RAIL-MOLDING-W-INSERT-/200678798764?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item2eb96375ac&vxp=mtr
 
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