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Boatmedic,
You’re on the right track, compact, efficient, and able to handle most sea conditions on the east coast. Since you were looking for input on the live well concept, I would suggest this. I have owned a few boats, (Cape Horn 24, BoneBoatsCapIsland, and old Aquasport 22), and mostly fish inshore and near offshore (except with the Cape Horn, we ran out quite far). My biggest peeve in a fishing boat is not enough storage (especially lockable) for tackle. Since many anglers chase their quarry all over their migratory range each season, it’s nice to be able to lock up your tackle and rods on the boat while crashing in a motel at night. Rather than putting a live well in the leaning post, consider putting an 8 or 10 drawer tackle station and put a smaller livewell in front of the console. I realize that most Florida anglers use quite a bit of live bait, however most north east anglers, have a difficult time catching live bait, there fore the livewell goes unused (except for keeping drinks cold) most of the season.
I offer these comments, as I am looking for a Seagull Nautico 20 catamaran (used) and really like to simplicity of that cat and the potential for a very fuel efficient twin engine trailerable boat.
The reality is most of the fancy frills put into fishing boats today, go unused and just inflate the price. I truly believe there is a market for a small, fuel efficient, trailerable pocket catamaran for the fisherman/family to enjoy, provided the cost can remain reasonable.
Anyhow, I like the work you have put into this project and believe you’re onto something that will definitely interest many hard core fishermen who are looking to downsize to an economical boat with twins that is trailerable.
Good luck!
Last edited by Pelagic Act; 09-14-2009 at 06:20 PM.
Reason: spelling
"i haven't started work on the rocket launcher yet, but i am shooting for a 30-40 gal livewell in that. any suggestions on that one? "
Why dont you stop buy and see Steve Ellis from Calcutta. I am sure he would have some ideas for you. I really think you have a winner. I wish Calcutta would build a smaller Cat to add to the line up. Nice looking boat
Funny you say that. My good friend Rob Helmick and I were talking about shooting over to Calcutta to take a look at a few things. They do killer work over there! Still got another month or two before i have to make my decision on the rocket launcher. So i got some time to kick around ideas.
Here are some updated pics. I got my first coat of primer on her. Got the Slick Sand faired out and ready for Duratec Primer / High Gloss for the second coat.
Here are some shots off our new camcorder, which isn't the greatest at taking pictures in a dark shop.
These are the second coat of primer. Now i'm block sanding the entire plug with wet 400 grit. It's getting really shiney and really close to being done!! My fingers cannot wait.
got my areas taped off and sprayed non-skid pattern yesterday. came out looking beautiful as ever! time for sealer and 4 coats of wax. should start on the mold this week.
got my areas taped off and sprayed non-skid pattern yesterday. came out looking beautiful as ever! time for sealer and 4 coats of wax. should start on the mold this week.
Neat project but looking at the pictures curious as to why you didn't buff back the reveal areas prior to doing the non-skid?
well i plan on tooling the mold so i wasn't that concerned with getting the plug buffed out. i was also concerned with buffing and heating up the plug, that will make bondo shrink out in a hurry and leave me with a wavy mess. it's been sanded down to 400 grit to this point, which should give me an easy pull.
well i plan on tooling the mold so i wasn't that concerned with getting the plug buffed out. i was also concerned with buffing and heating up the plug, that will make bondo shrink out in a hurry and leave me with a wavy mess. it's been sanded down to 400 grit to this point, which should give me an easy pull.
the project is located in sarasota, Coconut.
Can understand your explanation which may include a little rushed desire to produce the mold. I just prefer to have the plug as close to first class reducing most if not all work in / on a new mold.
I really like the colors. I'd make two suggestions..........I had a HS 2596 with fish box in the front............It would beat the heck out of the day's catch if the seas were rough. I'd curse with every wave......just thinking about it bruising that delicious grouper..... .and for 30 miles, that's alot of cursing. So I'd think twice about a fishbox in the front.
Only other thing I think would be easy, is to put a place in the transom for a 100 or 120 quart cooler, or both. I'd do that and make one the fish box, and the other for drinks, etc. My major complaint about every boat I've ever owned is that the storage compartments/fishboxes are never insulated very well. I dont think you could do better than a coleman 6 day cooler..........then when they go bad, just get another cooler.
My 2 cents worth..........keep up the good work.
Dan is doing a great job on this cat. He has the Fishbox going side to side , that will keep the slosh out of the equation. I'm sure he will have it insulated quite well. I guess he will shoot the tooling gel in the next week or two. He has learned how to build his tooling from some pretty smart guys so I think it will come out top notch.
We shot her with red tooling gel and got the first skin layer on her in these pics. What a long ass day!
This was a couple weeks ago. Now all we have left is a little welding and tube reinforcement and we're ready to pull. Will post more recent pics soon!
Just finished laminating the mold. You can see i cored the entire thing with 1/2" balsa, that way i don't have to pipe so much. I trimmed the flange off and i was surprised to actually see how thick it is....about 1/2" solid glass. I spray painted the outline of where my pipe will go.
Truly fascinating. Please post as many pictures as possible. the more people know about the construction methods and thought process that went into the boat, the more comfortable they will be with purchasing one!
