The 18 Foot SeaSled

You guys and the Seasled's incredible reserve buoyancy are always asking for trouble.

Just saying, weight matters in boats, the second we decide any small thing on a boat doesn't much matter, we get bit.

 

No doubt however, as I mentioned previously, the plans show a cabin on the boat, so it is part of the original plan. However, it wasn't given a form and simply left up to the builder of the boat to work out. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that is me

 

I get that part. All I am saying is to use caution. Even my boat has too much weight forward, don't follow a trend.

 

This is the cabin line transferred to the hull. Once the windshield is finished and I can see the lines of the boat I’ll redo my calculations. I can also fall back on acrylic windows if I need to shed a few pounds. I’ll break out the tape once I’ve build the frame and see how far it is off the bow.

 

The curved lower edge of the windsheild/screen etc… will have to be laminated to make the appropriate curve to match the foredeck. The center post will probably receive some sculpting as well but for now we will keep it a straight 45 degrees to make calculations simple.

 

It took somewhat elaborate scaffolding, but I managed to get the angles right for the windshield. Now for some careful fiberglass and epoxy work. Plan is to use a stationary sanding machine to fair the curves.

 

The curves for the top of the windshield are going to be a bit more problematic, so in the meantime, I am working on the bow planking…

you can see where I have added some 1708 to tie the planking to the stem assembly. I also made a quick video on my YouTube channel.

 

Your post never really was answered.

So, 40 US gallons per side.
That's a lot of fuel.
Up here, in the great white north,
a guy could use all that run-time to get from fuel dock to
fuel dock, beat the weather and or tide and still have a good reserve.
But where you live, there must be fuel docks everywhere.
Makes your boat more versatile.
But you should really keep them topped up.
But then you're running around with all that extra weight on board?
Only you know what you need.

It would be more economical to do one tank, centre aft.
Certainly no further fwd than the drawing.
Two much smaller side tanks aft would work.
Reposition your foam.
Deck fill and vent might be nicer back there.

Don't forget a bilge pump or two.

Oh, for the record, I love the centre console in the plan.

 

There might be a few air bubbles in the tape as the surface is a bit uneven. However once the bow planking plywood is tabbed in I’ll be putting a layer of 1708 on the inside surface and the outside and sanding it more flush at that time.

 

as for the center console, I don’t fish. I really haven’t drawn out the cockpit layout very well yet. Trying to figure out weights and layout. As you saw the plans left that up for interpretation.

 

As for build time... For some of the hull planking the curves involved are non-trivial. The hull is supposed to “developable” but I'm going to have to do a bit of fairing and grinding at this rate.

 

After Fairing and leveling the planking to match the stem bevel I epoxied some 1708 cloth to tie the leading edge together. My goal is to fully complete the port side so that when I have to cut an access hatch from the cabin it's minimal work needed from inside the boat.

 

You're making great progress!

 

I am planning on a 2-3 bilge pump strategy. 1500-2000 gpm primary pump to keep battery drain low and an a larger 2800-3500 for a major casualty. Possibly one forward for the bow incase I ram something.

I like the USS float switches made here locally.

 

I like that plan.