OD18 by CHarris

[CHarris]

Nice hat EvilD. I'm not even close to being finished with mine and have already started dreaming of my next boat also. My wife tells me I have to finish this one and then wait a couple of years before I can build another one.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words everyone.

Chris

[CHarris]

I'm almost finished with the fiberglassing of the bottom.

After the the fairing and painting, which I'm eagerly looking forward too, I have been kicking around a few ideas for the deck layout. I want to extend a deck out from the motorwell bulkhead to create a bench seat where I can build a cooler into it. Also I want to lower the front deck about 6 inches. Here is a sketch of my ideas.

<img src ="modules/Upload/charris/MODIFIED.jpg "> 

Does anyone think this will make the boat too heavy in the rear. I believe GPratt did something similar to this but I have not seen any pictures of his deck layout. I think the fuel tank in the front and moving the console forward should compensate for the added weight in the back, but I would like to hear anyones thoughts on this layout before going forward with it.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[gpratt]

Chris

Your layout is very similar to mine with the following exceptions.

I have a 23 gal bait well in front of my console and a 25 gal tank under the casting deck. One quarter seat is more or less empty and used for odds and ends storage. The Starboard side quater seat has my battery in it but I wish it was in the console.

I moved my console forward about 14". Most of these things were done to offseat the extra weight a 243 lbs 50 4stroke, the cooler, and my own 250 lb butt behind the console.

Layed out as described, when I'm alone trimming the nose down makes it easier to get on plane. When I have my 375 lb shrimping buddy is on board it gets on plane nicely at any trim angle as lone as he stays in front of the console.

Here maybe this will help

<img src ="modules/Upload/gpratt/Gpratt OD16 sm.JPG ">

[CHarris]

Thanks for the feedback Gary.

I guess I need to think about moving some more weight forward like you suggest. I could move the baitwell in front of the console like you did. The battery can also be moved into the console. I was a little worried myself about too much weight in the back. Your input has eased my mind some.

BTW, thanks for the picture. Your boat is impressive.

Chris

[Edward]

Chris you have enough room under the front deck for a fuel tank and the anchor storage. You could also fit the Live well up there if you wanted to use your anchor locker idea. I am placing my battery under the center console and I am using one of the rear quarter seats as a cooler...I'm going to add some insulation and an insert. Get the sole on and then mock up the front deck and the rear set up you will be suprized at how much storage room you really have.

[CHarris]

Thanks Edward. When you build your cooler I would love to see pictures.

Chris

[deedee]

when glueing the bottom panel together on the od18 do you use fiberglass tape on the exterior side as well as the butt blocks on the interior? or are the 8'' butt blocks all that you need . i know that it has been said somewhere but i could not find it. just curious before i go and screw it up with angles and not a true curve. thanks

[CHarris]

David,

I just used the butt blocks on the inside to hold the bottom panels together. Then I glued the stringers on the bottom. After I flipped the hull, I spread some epoxy putty on the seams and sanded them smooth before putting on the fiberglass.

Chris

[deedee]

chris
thanks for the replies . i am going to go with what you talked about and get a move on , if only the rain would stop . i geuss thats what i deserve for trying to build outside. i could have kept building on my workspace and had a roof but the thought of that stack of plywood becoming a boat got the best of me. thanks again

[deedee]

o.k. i know this is not on the same subject but it is something that is bothering me . i have cut the stringers for the od18 and glued the keel together , before attaching the stringers permanantly to the keel i fastened them to it in the correct position with l- brackets and they hang over the bow by about an inch . stringers are 8.5 from center , and the transom rests on top of the keel just like the molds pushing the stringers forward about a half inch. i saw a post along time ago from an austrailian builer but could not find it , i think his solution was to cut the excess off the front of the stringers. i am just curious to know why this off , or maybe i'm off in my measurement , in that case i will measure for the eleventh time. i measure about twice before i cut and about two times before i mix the epoxy ,then four more times after i have mixed the epoxy and it is curing in the cup.
thanks