17' boat building project

[Rmarsh]

Thanks.
I'm trying to decide on instument gauges and layout.
Theres alot of sanding and fairing to do before priming.

[freebie]

great project, been lurking until now. definitely some real craftsmanship.
one thing to think about is your guages. I saw your guage layout and if you are going with Yamaha digital guages then you only need the tach and speedo. they include the trim and fuel, I forget which does what but with both it covers everything. makes for a super clean install.

[Mike J.]

Great looking Boat. Congrats to you and your son.

[jake]

Very nice build. quality work. can't wait to see the finish project.
jake

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by freebie

great project, been lurking until now. definitely some real craftsmanship.
one thing to think about is your guages. I saw your guage layout and if you are going with Yamaha digital guages then you only need the tach and speedo. they include the trim and fuel, I forget which does what but with both it covers everything. makes for a super clean install.

Thanks freebie: When I put up that picture I was hoping someone would notice that and comment. You are correct about the Yamaha multifunction gauges. I was a little taken aback by the price (about $350) but I now agree it would be best for a cleaner look, less holes, less wires, and more space for other things.

Spent the weekend fairing and sanding the interior of the boat. Not much fun, but closer to being ready for primer.

I appreciate the compliments on the craftsman ship, I can tell you that it didn't come naturally. When I first started working as a carpenter helper (1973) I was awful. My first boss, a master carpenter, constantly busted my balls about being a slambanger (hacker), but I stayed with it and learned.

Now almost 40 years later i'm doing work I never dreamed I could do.
The accumulation of knowledge and skill was a slow process, but allows me to take on projects that might intimadate some.

[Rmarsh]

After weeks and weeks of fairing and sanding it's primed and ready for first coat of finish. All the mechanical stuff (rigging) is here and waiting.
Home stretch now.

[saltyric]

Thats is coming out awesome.......Real nice job!

[Slipknot]

That is looking mighty fine
won't be long now

[Rmarsh]

Installed the console, shift and throttle cables, and wireing harness.
Painted interior with two coats of oyster white.

[Sea Dangles]

WOW!

[Bronko]

I get so jealous when I see stuff like this. I can barely drive a nail straight. Looks awesome.

[JohnR]

Awesome!

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by Bronko

I get so jealous when I see stuff like this. I can barely drive a nail straight. Looks awesome.

Ditto.

[Rmarsh]

Thanks for all the moral support. Not intending to make anyone jealous.or show off really. just want to share the building experience with those that are interested.
There are many, many things I am not so good at.

Hey there Gotstripers! She is looking pretty, I think, but I won't be worried about blood on her decks or wear and tear, I intend to use this boat, and a few battle scars will just add character.


Here is a pic of inside the console. Built a cover over the fuel tank to keep fumes away from electrical work. There are two 3" vents below that cover.
Bought some electrical supplies, a Blueseas switch/fuse panel, a couple of busbars for positive and negative conections. and some 16 gauge wire for navagation lights. Installed a pos. and neg. wire from the switch panel to the bow light.

Ordered some 6 ga. duplex (all marine grade) from GenuineDealz.com, to run from the console to the battery which is in the port stern locker. West marine prices are terrible but it is a 15 miute ride and I do most of my purchases with cash. Much better deals from internet vendors for sure.

[Rmarsh]

Just about finished with the electrical. Connections were all heat shrunk by my son, who said it was his favorite job so far.
Says he doesn't miss all that sticky epoxy and dusty sanding.

Hardware next, then final painting.

Still need a bunk style trailer.

[Mojo7]

First time in this forum. What an awesome project looks great. Can't wait to see her in the water.

[striperman36]

total Awesome.

[bassballer]

awesome build. Love the enclosed transom

[Got Stripers]

Man is that sweat looking, almost too pretty to get bloody.

[N.ShoreFisher]

any final "final" pics yet? Stumbled upon this thread and can't wait to see the finished product

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by N.ShoreFisher

any final "final" pics yet? Stumbled upon this thread and can't wait to see the finished product

I don't think I will have any "final" pics for at least a couple more months.

I have mentioned before I am working a part time job in addition to my regular job. So, time and money will hold things up a little, and this weather we are having doesn't help.

Anyways... It's a marathon not a sprint

Trying to decide where to mount the gunwale cleats, and make other hardware choices. All of the painting supplies are on hand just waiting for the weather to warm up to do the final coats.

[nightfighter]

Mid ship cleat looks like you want to bring it aft. It will serve to hold a fender as much as spring line. On my 20' CC, I often use the midship dock line with stern line, and don't bother with the bow line. Put a rod in the rod holders to see if they are in the way, and also see where the dock lines and fenders are going to live when not in use. On bow, two chocks and two cleats, if you have room. If not, one cleat is fine. Backing plates can determine placement as well.

Looks great!

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Mid ship cleat looks like you want to bring it aft. It will serve to hold a fender as much as spring line. On my 20' CC, I often use the midship dock line with stern line, and don't bother with the bow line. Put a rod in the rod holders to see if they are in the way, and also see where the dock lines and fenders are going to live when not in use. On bow, two chocks and two cleats, if you have room. If not, one cleat is fine. Backing plates can determine placement as well.

Looks great!

Thanks for the feedback Nightfighter.... I agree about moving the midship cleat aft, and I was thinking about moving the stern cleat
aft as well. If you look closely, you will see I have a mooring bit to mount on the bow. I will get two chocks installed up there too.

PRBuzz...Thanks I know you must be kidding .....I was thinking of maybe two more. I will only fish with one other person at a time in this boat. Not much room for any more than that.....Any reason for suggesting 20 more?
I also plan on putting rod holders under the gunwales for when not in use.

[nightfighter]

I would suggest replacing the mooring bit with a cleat. Just ease of use... think anchor in adverse conditions.

Buzz isn't kidding... I could easily add eight more to mine.(and I have the luxury of four rocket launchers on leaning post that you do not.) You should consider three on either side of console for storage while underway. Definitely want some forward of the console as well, angled out on either side, and one or two dead center.

[PRBuzz]

Needs about 20 more rod holders!

[bassballer]

awesome job man.

[Guppy]

May you have bright sky and fair winds launch day and there after

awesome job

[blondterror]

Great job... fun times ahead and you should be wicked proud of your work building this boat....

[Rmarsh]

Thanks for the compliments and good wishes.

At some point I will have to accept the fact that the paint job isn't going to be perfect.

It has 3 to 4 coats of finish paint on it now but it looks more like what is called a ten foot job. Any closer and you can tell it is not professional.

[Rockfish9]

you have done a comendable job staying true to your standard of exellence.... sometimes projects get "long in the tooth" and we just want them over with...no evidence of that here... again great job... about rod holders... there are never enough... my 18' center console has 4 in the gunwhales.... 10 on the console ( 5 each side) and 4 in a rocket launcher behind the seat... and one mounted on the bow like a machine gun turrret.... at one time or the other.. evey one serves a purpose...