IceMan Builds a Boat

[IceManDude]

Hi All,

I have decided that i am going to embark on building a boat. Teach my kids some valuable skills that they simply don't learn at school any more.

so as i progress i'll be adding photos here.

The boat model is a Flat Chat 16... its a skinny water design perfect for the lakes and rivers i fish with my boys.

[IceManDude]

I have read and studied, designed and redesigned the Flat Chat 16 over and over again and i think i am finally ready to start it...lol

Picked up some timber for my strongback today and commenced construction. The strongback is what i will be building the hull on, keel up, then i'll flip it to work on the insides and deck

Still need to add some cross supports but it is square and level, and mobile.

[yellow door 1]

This is going to be sick - Thanks for posting Ice

[Cortinaboy]

Agreed. Im looking forward to this.

[T Curve]

Also good to see a long time contributor back on the site.

[Bronco T]

The plans look very impressive, good luck.

[IceManDude]

Originally Posted by T Curve

Also good to see a long time contributor back on the site.

I have floated in and out over the last few years but life changes had me on other forums pursuing other hobbies. Now my boys are older they are really keen to get into a boat so what better way for them to really appreciate and know the ins and outs of it.

[IceManDude]

Originally Posted by yellow door 1

This is going to be sick - Thanks for posting Ice

Originally Posted by Cortinaboy

Agreed. Im looking forward to this.

Its going to be a slow process but will be a lot of fun... i hope

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by IceManDude

that's awesome info, thanks mate

No worries - its nice to have an excuse to travel at a sensible speed - getting an extra 30% to 50% distance out of your tank is just one of them

[yellow door 1]

Does fibre glassing add alot of strength to those seams - or are they pretty rock solid on their own?

I spose, what I'm trying to ask is - how much of the structural integrity of those seams is reliant on the fibreglassing process. Is that glue just to tack them together and make it all smooth, so the fibre glass will do all the work of providing strength to the seam.

Or could you just clear coat the boat with epoxy and use it as is

For instance -if you stood in the hull and walked along those seams now - do you recon they would hold?

[IceManDude]

Originally Posted by yellow door 1

if you stood in the hull and walked along those seams now - do you recon they would hold?

i reckon i could walk along the seams now but the fibreglass is where the real strength is at

[IceManDude]

Didn't get onto it until late tonight but it is now.. finally... all... glued!!!!

all that is left is a... lot... of... grinding... and ... sanding!!!

then i can fair and glass

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by IceManDude

i reckon i could walk along the seams now but the fibreglass is where the real strength is at

Yeah the reason I asked is - when we were kids we had a Sabot - (little sail boat) made out of plywood - as far as I can remember it wasnt glassed - it just looked glued and then varnished but I cant be sure its seams werent glassed.

[IceManDude]

Originally Posted by yellow door 1

Yeah the reason I asked is - when we were kids we had a Sabot - (little sail boat) made out of plywood - as far as I can remember it wasnt glassed - it just looked glued and then varnished but I cant be sure its seams werent glassed.

may have been glued then epoxied... the epoxy is stronger than the glue (the glue is the epoxy plus a glue powder added)

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by IceManDude

may have been glued then epoxied... the epoxy is stronger than the glue (the glue is the epoxy plus a glue powder added)

Ahh right - thanks for that