Another FS17 Build Thread

To help other builders, please list the boat you are building in the Thread Subject -- and to conserve space, please limit your posting to one thread per boat.

Please feel free to use the gallery to display multiple images of your progress.
mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

I finished boxing in the cleats for the two transom compartments. I started leveling out the bow cleats. That got me thinking a bit, the instruction sheets do not really say anything about the top of the bow compartment with respect to reinforcement, only that any fitting must have backing plates. If I were to install an anchor cleat on the top of the bow compartment like I have seen in many pictures, how would the lack reinforcement affect the strength of the anchor cleat? I have seen the low shear builds where they build a casting deck in the front where they add 1x2's under the deck, but I do not intend to stand on this deck section. What i did for this was to notch a 1x8 plank into the bulkhead cleat (1x4) and radius the leading edge to lay flat on the bow cleats. This is flat and level with the bow bulkhead up to the bow. I can use this as a guide to level out the top of the side sheets as well to make the decking a little more smooth when I glue it down.

This leads to another question, what thickness of plywood should I use for the bow deck, considering that it will be glassed on both the top and bottom, I was thinking 1/4", the instructions do not say, and there are many opinions related to many other types of boats. In keeping with the "light" design of the boat I was thinking 1/4" with the full length backing structure down the middle.

In the picture you can see the bow reinforcement, not a great picture. Also the stern locker reinforcement for the stern rack.
Attachments
20230124_171716.jpg
20230122_131300.jpg
20230122_074558.jpg

mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

Over the weekend I was able to glue down the rear compartment deck pieces, it is pretty solid, especially with the deck reinforcements for the transom rack. Then I added a 2 ft wide strip of 1/4 inch ply down the center to provide a little more reinforcement for the console, tank, and to elevate my feet a little to keep out of the splash water. This center strip will be glassed around the edges with tape, and then across the top as well.
Attachments
20230206_155826.jpg
20230206_155817.jpg
20230206_155809.jpg

mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

Seeing as how the major deck structures are installed (not glassed or finished) I thought I would mock up the rest of the main pieces.
Attachments
20230206_163305.jpg
20230206_163245.jpg
20230206_163220.jpg

mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

Glassed in the transom deck pieces and motor well. Two strips of tape along all edges/corners, several additional long strips from transom to deck over the reinforced areas and over the place where the rail will be attached just to make sure the area is well reinforced. I added a sheet of 12oz to the top of the motor well that extends from the transom lip to almost the deck to tie it all together. Several of the taped areas got a little cloudy (second layer) but I did not see any bubbles or issues. All taped corners staggered with respect to sequence. I will trim the over extensions after it all sets up. I would think that this should be strong enough for pretty much anything the FS17 is capable of.
Attachments
20230211_093053.jpg
20230211_093043.jpg
20230211_093033.jpg

mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

So I was in the process of laminating the 1/4 inch strip of plywood down the middle of the deck and encountered a slight issue. I started the process of laying tape around the edge of the plywood and i thought that since it was only 1/4 inch i thought that the tape would form to the step. I was incorrect. I could not get the tape to smoothly lay down and an almost full length bubble was encountered. This was by far not my best work. I should have rounded, angled, or tapered the edges before I laminated the panels. So after all of the epoxy was fully cured i had to take the angle grinder to put in the taper, without grinding through the deck glass. I did that last night. To tape the panel edges I will put in a small bead of fillet around the edges and the tape the edges again. Hope it goes better this next time.

Cowbro
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 159
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:06 am
Location: Northern California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by Cowbro »

That is the nice thing about this building procedure. Almost anything can be repaired and fixed properly. Keep up the good work, the end is in sight.

Fuzz
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
Posts: 8920
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:23 am
Location: Kasilof, Alaska

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by Fuzz »

Yep if little boo-boos could not be fixed I would be totally screwed :lol:

Fuzz
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
Posts: 8920
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:23 am
Location: Kasilof, Alaska

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by Fuzz »

Yep if little boo-boos could not be fixed I would be totally screwed :lol:

mineratt
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2022 3:40 pm
Location: Fresno, California

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by mineratt »

before and after
Attachments
20230217_163923.jpg
20230216_170111.jpg

User avatar
cape man
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
* Bateau Builder - Expert *
Posts: 8269
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:02 pm
Location: Lithia, Florida

Re: Another FS17 Build Thread

Post by cape man »

Even with that fix I recommend you make a filet around the edge before taping it. It will fill all the small voids and create a smoother appearance.
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests