The first boat I built.
This is the goal.
The plans. Is this all there is?
More plans but still can't figure out how I'm going to build a boat from this!
This is what it is supposed to turn out like.
Starting to look like a boat!
Greg Maysonet helping out.
It's a small shop so I have to keep organized.
Linda (wife) helping out by tipping after I rolled.
Just a couple of coats of epoxy to protect really makes a difference.
The transom's really starting to look good after only a couple of coats of epoxy!
Only 700 holes to sand.
Only 650 to go - excited!
Nick helping out.
Amazing how much help free beer will get you!
Before epoxy.
After epoxy.
$25 and ready for the motor.
First I was tired of fairing, now I'm tired of sanding. What's next?
Last shot before turnover.
Here's how we are going to lift it....is everybody listening????
1,2,3 lift.
Wow, can't believe how easy that was.
Ok, we did the work, can we drink now?
The first passenger.
Who want's cheese on their burger?
Let's see if we can hide it from Todd.
Just fits.
Matt & Charles learn the finer points of sanding.
Trying the motor on for size.....it's huge!
Support system for front cockpit floor.
Front cockpit floor supports.
Rear cockpit floor
Front cockpit and forward area floor.
Side cabinet prototype
Rear seat fully assembled.
Seat removed to show base.
Removable base. Used "Hangman" device from Lowes to attach base to folding back.
Back folded down to provide access to the mechanicals.
Seat bottoms back from Capt. Canvas
All cables routed. I used a slot in the front wall of the motorwell for shift and throttle to avoid having them come out of the deck.
I used the battery compartment, starboard of the motorwell, to loop the control cables.
Big day! Started the motor for the first time. Runs perfectly. Greg helped mount the heavy beast.
Ignition!
Installed the switches.
VuPilot visits West Palm Beach!
Taking a break on #62
Side panels installed - look great!
Artist at work.
Water line came out great.
Test fitting the rub rail.
Seats completed.
Finally got a start on the decking!
Gem's wiring will meet ABYC code, thanks to Greg.
Greg & Jeff's creative solution to create yellow wire with a tracer to meet code. (Patent pending.)
The supplier changed types of plywood but it is still BS1088
Front decking on.
Decking dryfit - couldn't resist trying on the hardware.
All I need is a windshield now.
Gregs elecrical work is great. Note the on-board battery charger in upper right.
Cutwater template.
Transom guard template.
The doors skins live for a second life. Once the templates for the sides, now they are the templates for the covering boards.
Door skin planks for planning.
Covering board and planking templates.
The carpet team, Linda and Mariann.
Templates laid out, ready to cut.
Carpet installed, looks great!
Rusty preps the transom for varnish.
Rusty & Monica with the step pads they bought for the boat.
Greg, my electrical expert. aka the "Wire Nut" putting the finishing touches on the electical panel.
Finished electrical panel before covers are installed.
Finished elecrical panel.
Testing the lights.
Under seat lighting.
Decking arrived!
Dock lines and boat hook in place.
Anchor bag with 100' of 3/8 with a claw anchor.
My first attempt at spraying varnish. Everyone who sees it says it looks great but it's not good enough for me.
The spraying varnish learning curve is continueing. Getting closer but not good enough yet.
Laying out the first covering board.
First one cut. Whew, I was scared how it would turn out.
Port side covering boards in place. Will trim the inside curve later.
Really happy with the way the joints fit. The notch at the bottom of the picture will be trimmed later when it is faired to the side of the boat.
Both sides finished.
Ready to trim inside curve of covering boards.
The high-priced help was available for deck planning.
As the song says, "a fair curve from a noble plan".
Using a batten to establish the inside curve.
Inside curve cut and faired.
The first planking from the stern.
The first planks laid.
Port side almost done. A rain shower gives a preview of the finished color.
Aft electrical connections.
Everything labeled. Greg did a very professional job.
Innovative clamping.
Another innovative clamping.
Still another innovative clamping.
Last innovative clamping.
Decking is completely dry fit.
The spot on the transom is where I attempted to rub out the finish.
Cutwater template in place.
Custom dividers made from scrap by Greg.
Maysonett custom dividers at work.
Creative clamping including sandbags.
Somehow I glued the kingplank 1/4' off, it's not centered.
20 minutes of hand plane work and the mistake is gone.
New king plank installed. No one will ever know.
SIXTH! version of the cutwater template. Think I finally have it right.
Good fit where it ends.
Using the Florida sun to steam the cockpit trim. They were actually pretty warm after two hours and sucessfully bent into position.
Ed stopped by to check out my trash.
10 hours of sanding and one coat of epoxy.
Second coat of epoxy. Now it's time to fill about 300 screw holes.
This is what the shop looks like when I have put everything away. Not much room for anything else.
Rough version of cutwater arrives for test fit. Feel like Cinderella, will it fit???
The finish is coming along.
Test fit of the cutwater.
Great test-fit on the cutwater.
Christmas morning with Nick after fitting the cutwater.
Who said drinking and boating don't mix?
Linda filling screw holes.
West System syringes filled with Famowood filler worked great!
Linda, caulking the deck seams.
Finished cutwater dryfit. Mike did a great job!
Cutwater and one half the rub rail.
Transom guard dry fit.
Cockpit trim steamed, bent, and clamped into place.
Just about ready for 10 coats of varnish.
Cockpit trim steam-bent into shape. Caulking on left will be filled in later.
No more wood to cut, just finishing details from here on.
Nine coats of varnish (so far).
Me, the building, and the sky, reflected in the rear deck.
Jon (financial advisor) stopped by to find out why boat was over budget. Determined that beer expense was the culprit. Decided to help drink the beer.
HARDWARE DAY! Mounted all deck hardware and made windshield templates.
HARDWARE DAY!
HARDWARE DAY! Now I get to take it all back off to do the last couple of coats of varnish.
Transom ready for the name.
One chance to get it right.
The unveiling.
The transom looks filthy but it's just the reflection from the pavement.
High tech caulking tool!
Does a great job of creating the effect I want.
Detail of welded rub rail at bow.
Detail of the aft end of rub rail.
Windshield installed.
Detail of the curve in the windshield.
I think forward is right here?
You put your feet down first and let me know if they get wet.
This thing really floats!
Take a look and let me know if the motor falls off.
Wow!
Why does the boat list to starboard?
Watch what this baby does - you'd better hold on!
Let's get this baby up on plane!
Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Left that guy in my wake and it turns on a dime!
Ready for the Intracoastal.
A happy boatbuilder.
Co-pilot Linda.
This is how it turned out.
West Palm Beach in the background.
