Building a 21' classic runabout

Hi OP, I was wondering if you have any updates to your build for this forum or anywhere else? I am also planning to start building the Palm Beach when I finish my house remodel project. I saw a Hacker Miss APBA mid-construction this summer and developed an itch but decided the shorter Palm Beach would be a better build for me.

I was also wondering how thick your frames are and why you chose solid timber in lieu of a CNC cut plywood sheet? I was thinking a 3/4" okoume plywood CNC cut frame (yours seem much heavier?) with doubler plates where required? If it is a matter of resources then I understand the other approach. Would the 3/4" plywood be enough? It seems to me as though it depends on the builder which construction method is used.

I see you are planing on using 1/2" solid planks for finishing the outside of the hull? I was wondering if builders might use 1/2" thick mahogany plywood cut into planks for the outer wood layer and if there are issues with the finishing?

 

I have not been posting updates for the build, It has been enough work building her let alone documenting and publishing updates online

The frames are 5/4, I was planning to make them 4/4 but the lumber I ended up getting was a litter thicker and I did not see the benefit of nocking off the addition thickness. As far as 3/4" plywood being adequate, I do not have the experience to give you an answer, but i know for sure much more info about the planned construction method would have to be known to give an answer.

I chose to build her with solid mahogany from the frames to the planks based on conversations I had with some of the builders at Hacker Craft and information gathered on other proven construction methods. There are pros and cons to this as with all construction methods, and in my opinion, the comfort level of the builder with the method used plays a role as well.

Again, i am not an experienced builder, but I would think that using plywood outer planks has too many negatives: possibility of burning through the outer layer of ply when fairing and the same thing for refinishing down the road are just a few that jump out at me.

Best of luck with the build and feel free to reach out with any questions you think i could help with.

 

Looks amazing.

 

I can certainly understand being too busy for documenting but it is looking great!

Here is a link to an beautiful build (not sure what the current status is...) I found that used plywood for the frames so that's why I was curious about your approach:
https://todddamon.smugmug.com/Boats/Zephyr/

I believe the intent here was to glass on plywood below the waterline and have mahogany planking on plywood above the water. With regards to plywood planking, I kind of have the same reservations but I was wondering if it had been done successfully.

Where did you get your plans from for the structural members/sizes and how decide on the Palm Beach? The Palm Beach is based on the Miss APBA right? I know classic wooden boat plans sells pdf plans for both boats and I was told CAD would be available for Miss APBA only. I was leaning towards scaling the CAD plans to the 22' and using that to do CNC work and basically ending up with a Palm Beach sized Miss APBA.

Lastly, what are your plans for power?

 

I can't remember where i got the plans, but i do remember there were a number of sites that had both the paper and full scale PDF plans. I do not recall any that offered CAD plans for the Palm Beach though.

I am unaware of any connection between the Palm Beach and the Miss APBA. The size and classic lines of the Palm Beach were the major reasons i chose it. As far as power, I am most likely going to use a modern marine engine with around 250 to 300 HP.

Here are a few pics: one of the gauge pan i milled on a CNC machine a few months back and one of the wire harness mocked up on cardboard.