Boat built by eye. Need feedback

[Nomiddlename]

I've lost count of the number of canoes I've designed but it was well into the double digits before I designed one that didn't whisper "I'd be a little better if.......". As has already been said, the drive for perfection destroys the good of living in the now. IMO the results of your first project of this type is remarkable, most importantly now is splash the thing and see how it preforms, a whole new world awaits.

Of the thirty five boats I've personally built only one was "furniture quality" because it was being filmed for a video by Texas Parks and Wildlife; never again. I subscribe to the 15 to 20' rule; if it looks ok standing back a bit it really is ok. At one point building wood stripper canoes I started falling down the rabbit hole fairing the hull bottoms with an air file until I realized only the fish would see that perfection and they probably didn't care.

One of my most memorable experiences boating was crewing with a friend on a 24' sharpie that he named 40 grit.

I look forward to hearing how your boat performs once you've wrung it out a bit.

I realized after a very long time staring at it last night why it looked so much worse to me upside down. And it's because I built it and designed it right side up. Will have to just do what I can with the bottom and move on. Appreciate your insight as an experienced builder. I forget sometimes that when I'm done I actually get to use the boat.

 

[socalspearit]

I've lost count of the number of canoes I've designed but it was well into the double digits before I designed one that didn't whisper "I'd be a little better if.......". As has already been said, the drive for perfection destroys the good of living in the now. IMO the results of your first project of this type is remarkable, most importantly now is splash the thing and see how it preforms, a whole new world awaits.

Of the thirty five boats I've personally built only one was "furniture quality" because it was being filmed for a video by Texas Parks and Wildlife; never again. I subscribe to the 15 to 20' rule; if it looks ok standing back a bit it really is ok. At one point building wood stripper canoes I started falling down the rabbit hole fairing the hull bottoms with an air file until I realized only the fish would see that perfection and they probably didn't care.

One of my most memorable experiences boating was crewing with a friend on a 24' sharpie that he named 40 grit.

I look forward to hearing how your boat performs once you've wrung it out a bit.

Skip, is the 'furniture quality' video still available for viewing anywhere?

 

[Skip Johnson]

Skip, is the 'furniture quality' video still available for viewing anywhere?

 

[Nomiddlename]

Updating with pre-final final paint. Will float this weekend and push around a bit with a 6hp to see what wood to use for floor and knees, bow *how much weight she needs and where). Will post a Pic in water.

 

[Nomiddlename]

Float test success. Drafts 8 inches at the stern with two people and 60lb motor and one person up forward. Bobs up and down at low speed. Plows a little more with more power. Comfortable fishing boat for me and my buds. Removable fir floor and knees still to be installed.

 

[socalspearit]

Congrats! Looks like you're into the 'dialing her in' stage... there may be some things related to the OB and mechanical, etc, and then there's the operational/creature comforts, and you figuring out how she runs in different seas and loading situations. I'm on the operational side on my vessel; there's nothing more I can do to improve her until I make a major hull modification and it's just simple stuff now like what do people sit on and where do we stow things.

 

[Nomiddlename]

Congrats! Looks like you're into the 'dialing her in' stage... there may be some things related to the OB and mechanical, etc, and then there's the operational/creature comforts, and you figuring out how she runs in different seas and loading situations. I'm on the operational side on my vessel; there's nothing more I can do to improve her until I make a major hull modification and it's just simple stuff now like what do people sit on and where do we stow things.

Yep lot of work still going on that's for sure! Although there is something charming about the acx plywood floor and loose 1x3 for emergency oars . . .

 

[Nomiddlename]

Congrats! Looks like you're into the 'dialing her in' stage... there may be some things related to the OB and mechanical, etc, and then there's the operational/creature comforts, and you figuring out how she runs in different seas and loading situations. I'm on the operational side on my vessel; there's nothing more I can do to improve her until I make a major hull modification and it's just simple stuff now like what do people sit on and where do we stow things.

Seemingly like your build my static stability is less than I hoped. B

Congrats! Looks like you're into the 'dialing her in' stage... there may be some things related to the OB and mechanical, etc, and then there's the operational/creature comforts, and you figuring out how she runs in different seas and loading situations. I'm on the operational side on my vessel; there's nothing more I can do to improve her until I make a major hull modification and it's just simple stuff now like what do people sit on and where do we stow things.

Also like your build my boat suffers from somewhat poor static stability. But my hope was to be able to tip her easily enough step over the side at the lowest freeboard point when beach hopping. Stability seems to be a very give and take thing. Have only tested quarter throttle max on the 6hp. Will have to take it up a notch to get a real idea of how she moves when underway.

 

[fallguy]

I think you ought to consider a gunwhale/rubrail stiffener at the sheer. The boat will want to lose shape there overtime else.

 

[Nomiddlename]

I think you ought to consider a gunwhale/rubrail stiffener at the sheer. The boat will want to lose shape there overtime else.

I did try to stiffen the sheer with a 1x1" fir laminated into the hull. Sure was stiff when I rolled er over but I definitely don't want to lose shape. Would a wider wood inwhale fileted in be enough?

 

[fallguy]

I did try to stiffen the sheer with a 1x1" fir laminated into the hull. Sure was stiff when I rolled er over but I definitely don't want to lose shape. Would a wider wood inwhale fileted in be enough?

I only saw the plywood in the pic of the two guys on the stern, so if you have a rubrail; that is more than I thought. But pictures are sometimes deceiving..

 

[BoothBoatworks]

I did try to stiffen the sheer with a 1x1" fir laminated into the hull. Sure was stiff when I rolled er over but I definitely don't want to lose shape. Would a wider wood inwhale fileted in be enough?

You could also put a "nosecap" on it similar, but bigger, to how gheenoes and some canoes have.

 

[Nomiddlename]

Final update and conclusion. This method proved to be quite fast and gave me something I could fish with right away while planning a larger more calculated build. Things I would do differently:
1. larger fillets. My fillets are very small and already a spot on the gunwhale has cracked due to strapping the boat with a ratchet strap.
2. Taping more structure in. Much of the structure was only bedded and filleted.
3. Using marine paint. I used benjamin moore alkyd to cut cost.
4. Giving myself more time. Starting in december with the goal of finishing in April for trout fishing, all while working full time definitely promoted cutting corners.

I've compiled clips of my build into a scrappy video you can watch here.

Final photos attached.

 

[mc_rash]

Don't be to harsh with your self built boat. Considering the restrictions - time, built-by-eye, maybe knowledge you didn't have before - you've created something that floats and gives you freedom and fun, you can be more than proud of it.

Actually I'm quite jealous, I would love to build a boat on my own but I don't have any space to build it. Once I've finished university and have a small garden or something similar I'll build my own boat and will experience the same learning process as you.

 

[Nomiddlename]

Don't be to harsh with your self built boat. Considering the restrictions - time, built-by-eye, maybe knowledge you didn't have before - you've created something that floats and gives you freedom and fun, you can be more than proud of it.

Actually I'm quite jealous, I would love to build a boat on my own but I don't have any space to build it. Once I've finished university and have a small garden or something similar I'll build my own boat and will experience the same learning process as you.

Luck with your future build. I was lucky enough to have a friend with an empty shed. Space is hard to come by these days!