This was a fun Project that resulted into a very usable boat for me. Initially I was going to make this boat a center console but after contemplating our weather in the northwest and how it can change rapidly on the water I decided to put the Jackknife cabin on to block out the wind and water splash and also provide lockable gear storage. The hull is fully encapsulated in epoxy and the options installed make her rival any 14 ft production boat on the market. The topsides are done in nonskid paint for durability and hard use while the hull is two part epoxy. The boat is balanced on the center of buoyancy with a half of tank of fuel.
Some of the features are dual batteries, depth sounder/ fish finder, vhf, am-fm stereo with amp, down riggers, sea scuppers, fish hold, below deck 18 gal fuel tank, crab and shrimp pots, and necessary coast guard items to name a few.
Cost: I invested about $7500. into this project not counting the motor which I had. The motor was totally rebuilt and actually I built this boat to match the motor. The boat could definitely be built for much less without the gadgets, and built a lot quicker too.
The building process was strait forward and having a wood shop it can be done fairly quickly. The finish work was time consuming but if you don't do it the boat won't get done, and depending on how nice the final product is, that's how much time was spent. I ended spending lots of time block sanding the hull. I did not vary off the plans too much, only the frames which are an inch thicker, not for any particular reason other than I wanted them like that, and the transom area was modified just in case I ever put a heavier 4-stroke motor on the back, plus the motor well is offset to accept a kicker motor.
The boat has not been in the water yet, but I am excited to sea trial her upon trailer completion. Conclusion so far: I am very impressed with the design of this hull it really does seem to be everything you say it is and more. I'll send more pictures and a performance report.
Thank-you for the plans Glen-L.
John C. Smith
Edmonds, WA