Aluminum drift boat build.

[koditten]

More work on the rowers bench. I opted for a walk thru style. Many times I've been battling a big King or netting one and needed to move around the boat. Stepping over seats in a rocking boat just *****! Hopefully this option will make things easier.

 

[koditten]

Another shot of the finished rowers seat.

Mostly finished, I need to source some aluminum pipe to make the rope seat.

 

[koditten]

Making the fly deck storage shelf. Just a small place to keep things off the floor and semi-dry.

 

[koditten]

Another shot of the rowers seat and the storage cuddy(?)

 

[koditten]

Break time and shop clean time.
Salted peanuts and some 90 proof. I think I deserve it.

 

[koditten]

Plasma cutters are such wonderful tools! Using a straight edge and you can make a cut that's almost as good as a sheet metal shear. In following pics you will be able to see how nice a little better.

 

[koditten]

Making one of the most important part of any boat build.

 

[koditten]

You can see how little dross there is on the cuts. No grinding needed. Go straight to welding. This is a huge time saver.

 

[hedgehog]

how much skin do you have in the boat so far? excluding tools, just materials, and consumables

aprox of course im not prying

 

[koditten]

I'm sitting around $900 and some change.

I've gone thru 9, 1 lb rolls of wire and maybe 200 lbs of gas pressure.

If you read in the beginning, I was having hella hard time with the gun. I smoked around 20 contact tips. Since the gun rebuild, I've only smoked 1 tip.

 

[Robert Haas]

pictures are not showing up

 

[mike93lx]

pictures are not showing up

same here

 

[shedfullatools]

same here

Cant wait to see the progress

 

[koditten]

Sometimes google pissed me off.

Here is the link for all the pics in the album.

https://plus.google.com/112790527278849121139/posts/j8GaWwLpnvA

 

[koditten]

What is the last picture able to be seen?

 

[Steve V.]

What is the last picture able to be seen?

Post # 151

 

[koditten]

Thanks. Ill repost in a bit when I get to a PC.

 

[koditten]

Quick mounted up some drink holders.

 

[koditten]

Did the pictures show?

Please critique my weld.

 

[shedfullatools]

Pictures are showing here Welds look great, boat is coming together quite nicely very impressive project

 

[hedgehog]

Pictures are showing up fine. i don't have spool gun experience but the welds look serviceable

 

[marinusdees]

You have way more balls than I do. I want a finished weight. Guessing over 500 lbs.

 

[koditten]

It better notit be that heavy.��

 

[jhn9840]

I've never had the opportunity to use a spool gun, but your welds look good to me.

jhn9840
John

 

[Ruthless53]

Beyond impressive....all the way around. I would love to have your skills!!!

Got any ideas yet on color scheme?

 

[koditten]

It'll most likely be primer for a while. I do want something different.

 

[Farmall450]

Impressive build OP.

 

[koditten]

Made an anchor David for the back.

 

[koditten]

Mocked up. The question is if my $5, aluminum pulley can stand the weight of a 35 pound anchor.

 

[marinusdees]

It'll most likely be primer for a while. I do want something different.

The reason for using aluminum is strength vs weight. Also, it doesn't show rock scars. As an OLD riverboat fisherman, I could never figure out why someone would put an automotive coat of paint on a boat that was going to be subject to beating the ---- out of if it is used as intended. I have abused a few, painted none. Still kicking, and hope to abuse a few (nonpainted) more. Not likely.

 

[koditten]

I hear you.

As an amateur auto repair person, I will say there are some amazing clear coats that will withstand more trauma than metal.

In addition, where I plan on using this thing, there are very, very few areas that I can traumatize the hull on this boat.

I just want something different...as well as something that will make the thing attractive to the next owners...if you know what I mean

I won't lie. Building this is more art than anything else. I just wanted to build something different.

If you look at my history, I'm known for building trailers. I needed to get away from my comfort zone.

 

[koditten]

Honestly, as much fun as I have had so far, I can see myself building another boat.

Someone offers me a decent amount for this thing, it's gone and I'm gonna build another.

 

[marinusdees]

I told you from the git-go that you'd likely build another one to "get it right". Here we go again. Good for you.

 

[ALinCarolina]

Next you will have to make the anchor. I made this one out of stainless steel and added birdshot for weight. Sorry for the rotation

 

[marinusdees]

Next you will have to make the anchor. I made this one out of stainless steel and added birdshot for weight. Sorry for the rotation

The anchor should weigh about 35 pounds, give or take. I went to Goodwill and bought a small stainless round mixing bowl and poured it full of lead. An eyebolt thru the center, peen the end so no loose nuts besides the oarsman. I preferred the anchor rope tied to the eye. Tried some snaps and they unsnap at unconvenient times. Not a fan of grappling hook anchors, they grapple when used in heavy water and are a ***** to get ungrappled. My rule of thumb was if the anchor wouldn't hold in the current, I shouldn't be anchored there. JMHO.

 

[ez-duzit]

You were doing well until you added the drink holders and anchor davit.

 

[koditten]

You were doing well until you added the drink holders and anchor davit.

Huh?

 

[koditten]

The anchor should weigh about 35 pounds, give or take. I went to Goodwill and bought a small stainless round mixing bowl and poured it full of lead. An eyebolt thru the center, peen the end so no loose nuts besides the oarsman. I preferred the anchor rope tied to the eye. Tried some snaps and they unsnap at unconvenient times. Not a fan of grappling hook anchors, they grapple when used in heavy water and are a ***** to get ungrappled. My rule of thumb was if the anchor wouldn't hold in the current, I shouldn't be anchored there. JMHO.

I hear you on the anchor being tied to rope directly.

Ill make a pyramid anchor, I have my own forms to pour lead into. Just need to grab some lead.

 

[Ruthless53]

On my cousins big boat he used an anchor similar to this. Seems less likely ro hang than one that pulls from the end of the cylinder. Not a picture of his boat but its the exact set up he uses. Pulley over the top and a pulley on the rope that he uses a d ring to attach the anchor. rope end is tied underneath the davit.

On his smaller boat he uses a 25lb kettle bell for weight lifting. Holds great and would likely work on your boat in the slower rivers.

Im sure your aware but with the talk of shackles and ways of attaching above i just want to make sure. However you attach it make sure its easily removable for loading and transport. Plenty of high grade d rings that lock tight.

 

[koditten]

Got some time to start laying out the casting deck.

I wasn't looking forward to laying out the floor. I was procrastinating becasue I had no idea how to make a flat area in the front. With the boat sides and bottom being curved, I was stumped.

[/IMG]
All I can say is, what time saver.

Here are a couple pics of how I got my floor position exactly where I needed it.

After I leveled the boat side to side and shimmed it end to end to get my ride position, the job was very simple.