As a time served wooden boatbuilder of 50 years I have never ever been moved by an amateur build ever. This should touched me on so many levels. It is a brutal expose of just how much goes into a boat build. It is a beautiful example of a truly amazing family, watching your kids grow older as each episode unfolds is magical. I have to say hats off to your wife for letting you embark on this crazy adventure and for being there every step of the way. And to to you sir you did all this and I assume held down a job and did all the necessary family stuff too? Bloody amazing! Oh and you must have dedicated another lifetime filming this so well. Backyard boatbuilding at its very, very best, I salute you sir and your family.
Wow thanks for the kind words. We're about two years behind schedule because of weather, family obligations, and recent surgery but it's still coming along. I'm almost recovered from hernia repair enough to get back at it.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Believe me, there are many days I wonder if I should've taken on this project. I have the right temperament and skills for it, but even then, it often wears me down with all the work. It's almost incomprehensible how much anything over about 20' long and 1500 lbs. seems to magnify all the logistical challenges. And MAN is it difficult trying to do all this without a nice large workshop to cover everything. As you can see in the video, my neighbor kindly let me borrow his carport and it is WONDERFUL having shade to work throughout the day.... If I were starting this project over today, I would start by installing a carport before anything else. I bet we would've saved over a year of time that has been lost to weather delays, etc.
Watching showed it’s not the boat but logistics of building items or structures in support of the build. Will say watching your family get involve is a reward in itself.
I just wanted to tell you that this is one of the most enjoyable boat building series I’ve watched, and I’ve watched a bunch. So much fun seeing your houseboat come together. A lot of hard work that I’m sure your family will enjoy for years. Great job of filming all this, too. I know how hard that can be to do. Please tell me that there will be more videos. Can’t wait to see her on the water.
Yes more videos will come. We had to wait out a very hot summer but we're back to building. Weather is cooling fast this year, but I think we can heat the interior and get a lot done through winter now...
Amazing! I learned a lot watching your project, top notch skills and nearly finished project. To build something so large and extensive outside of a fully enclosed work shop is really impressive. Thanks for sharing.
No kidding, this whole project would be a lot easier if I had an enclosed workshop. I can't believe how much time we've lost to weather related challenges (heat, cold, rain, wind, sticky pollen...). My neighbor kindly loaned us his carport and it's SO much nicer working in the shade and being able to keep working when it's raining. If I were starting over today, step one would be to build an enclosure/carport before anything else...
This has turned out amazingly well. I'm sure the work is very gratifying. When you don't work with your hands to earn a living, craftsmanship is a much greater reward. It is to me anyway, and I'm sure anyone who makes something beautiful and useful feels the same. Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement. When you get it in the water it's going to be overwhelming. So much better than just buying something .
I just found the 8 videos of this build yesterday. Hopefully you and the family can get settled into the new home and job and be able to get back on the build again soon. Great work so far!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
I've been watching your episodes with great interest. I'm a woodstrip canoe building hobbyist. Watching you apply that heavy fiberglass with ease has given me confidence on my next build for fiberglassing. It looks like you live in or near Augusta. I lived there for 4 yrs at MCG in the mid80's and no one has paddled more miles in a canoe on the Augusta Canal than me I'm proud to say. I was at Olmsted Lake every morning to head out onto the canal before work. With your new boat I'm sure you can enjoy the Savannah River and Clark Hill Lake.
Hi Glenn, thanks for the kind words! I've logged quite a few paddling miles on the canal and the Savannah River too. I think this boat will be perfect for Clarks Hill Lake. We're about 9 miles and one stoplight away from it, so it's an easy drive/tow up to the lake to spend weekends swimming and sleeping up there. I'm sure the kids are going to love it--if we can just get this project finished. It's taken so much longer than expected, but my hope is we may be ready to launch by early next summer. I need to get the windows in and then it will be fairly straightforward to heat the interior and work through the winter, no longer at the mercy of the elements.... at least that's the hope. Getting an engine may be a trick too. I keep hearing to expect a 6 to 7 month wait on a new outboard.
I was wondering only a couple of days ago when you were going to post up the next instalment video, many thanks for doing so. It`s really great to see her nearly finished, i love these style of boats, there are several hundred of different makes of fwd drive cruisers on the inland rivers, Broads, lakes, and canals of Britain, and are ideally suited to narrow inland rivers and canals, especially those that have low bridges. She really does look great, and is a credit to all you and your family`s hard work. Looking forward to the next instalment.
That is so cool. The craftsmanship, your patience, all the sanding and the family woring together. A stunning boat. I love your videos. Good luck on the rest of it
I'm blown away at so many things with ur built.So inspiring to see this video sequence,it's just what the doctor order.Ive been building a 14 dory style skiff now all the work i have done it's tiny compared to ur monster project..keep up the good work,can wait to see ur next video👍💪♥️💯
Wow I have just binged this series and am really impressed with the tenacity, as well as the quality of your work. I was however burdened with not knowing how this story ends!! I live in GA too. Marietta. And know that we can have 4 seasons within a month, so I feel ya! That said, when can we expect your next post? Even more, I’m just imagining how the battle would have gone with my HOA if I were to build a boat in my side yard. (That’s why I don’t have one now!). Props, sir! If you’d like to put together a work day , week,month let me know. Not sure how far you are but I’ll be there. I got skills!! Good luck. Keep your head up and March forward!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
WOW great boat videos can't wait to see it how all turn out ! Wondering if you had consider using the vacuum bag delivere method of putting on your resin onto your 9oz. Fiber glass on least some of the bigger surface areas?just getting caught up watching it just popped on my youtube channel and checked out it and man I'm glad I did. Thanks Jason
We thought briefly about vacuum bagging but decided to stick with the traditional hand lay up we're familiar with. Still at it, but the wet cool weather has been relentless every weekend. The warmer Georgia temps just arrived last week, so if the ground would dry up, we can finally get back to building and hopefully finish by late fall. It's a killer not having a climate controlled space.
How did you acquire so much knowledge about how to build this boat... to know what all it needed... where it went and how it was installed? What a fantastic job you did.
That was the most exhausting part! I have probably over a hundred hours just redrawing the boat in 3D sketchup software so I could tinker with the layout and think through all the systems. There's so much you need to think through at the start to ensure everything will come together well at the end. In my case, everything above the main hull is custom designed differently than the plans. I honored the spacing of bulkheads for structural strength, but changed the entire flow of the space to improve visibility from the helm and comfort underway.
Oh wait, do you mean knowledge of building techniques? This is my fifth (arguably sixth) boat build. I started with a cedar strip kayak, then two sailboats, a small self-designed dinghy experiment, and also helped a friend build a small boat before we began this one.
@@LiveDontWatch I have only built a wood strip canoe years agobut I have a lot of books to study before I start on my lapstrake 17 ft. skiff. Maybe I can find someone in the Houston, TX area that is into boatbuilding and can give me some sound advice.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Hi Larry! Not much to show on video, but I'll be using an 18-gallon tank under the floor. This is the model I chose: www.plastic-mart.com/product/441/18-gallon-rv-water-tank-rvb235. I didn't want a lot of capacity because I'll have a pump/filter system that can refill the tank on demand from the lake. My main goal was to be able to store enough drinking water on board for a couple of days, or just enough water for a couple of short showers to rinse off. After that, we'll have to either hook up to a water hose (if on land) or flip the switch to filter more fresh water off the lake. We haven't started plumbing it in, so that's why I can't show you the details just yet. That's still ahead for us...
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
@@LiveDontWatch Thank you, I enjoyed Part 9. I am Belgian, the sale of your home in Georgia and the buy of a new one in Winsconsin surprised me very much. Knowing that it takes only 175 miles to drive from Belgian border to border, your journey is an emigration for us, needing even to learn a new language. I can't wait to hear from you and adventures.
Hi, nice to see this great job. Congratulation for the beautiful family and for this project. I would like to ask you a few questions about your construction choices. The first is about the project, the type of hull is particular if you designed it I would like to know how you balanced the proportions of beam, length, and the angles of the bow and stern. Since there is no perfect hull, but the best compromise, there are basically 2 types of hull, rounded for more displacement, or "V" for more speed. The stern is tilted 13 ° outwards if you want to mount an outboard (gradation to keep the propeller perpendicular to the axis but away from the keel to work better), and the bow varies from 16 ° to 27 ° depending on at the type of speed you want (from 16 to 21 ° increases by about one knot, from 21 to 27 ° each degree increases by about 3 knots up to 5 degree by degree). The second question is about the spaces that have been filled with the foam. Holding the air gap would increase the buoyancy, but it has been filled, almost plugged with foam, I wonder if this is a choice to have the waterline at a certain point. I apologize for my too long comment, I wish you the best of luck and have fun building this beautiful boat.
Hi Giovanni, thanks for the questions. The hull is not my design. It was designed by Jacques Mertens. It's 28' long by 8' 10" wide, but I shrank the beam to 8'6" wide to avoid the need for a special towing permit in some states. You're correct the stern transom angle is 13 degrees for an outboard. I'm not sure the angle of the bow transom, but it's within the range you mentioned. I would guess maybe 25 degrees, but that's just a guess. The foam filler is to keep water out of the hull is ever breached. I wanted to make sure that even in a catastrophic accident the hull would stay afloat, as we will have kids aboard and also it buys time for people to make their way out of the cabin before it sinks. For the same reason, the eight side windows are all sized large enough for a typical adult to exit through them, if need be. More safety than we need, I'm sure, but that's how I wanted it.
@@LiveDontWatch Now that you have explained the objective of the project, which is based on the safety of the people on board, it is clear that the main purpose of the boat is family outings on weekends and holidays. If I can advise you, to increase safety you could put life jackets on the outside of the superstructure (for example between the windows) fixed with a small hydrostatic hook, so that in case of rollover or sinking (God forbid), in case you don't have time to grab what you need and you have to get in the water immediatly, you will still have a hold. To increase safety you could also equip, in addition to the classic basic kit that contains a fire extinguisher, life buoy, trumpet or whistle, etc., you could put 2 inflatable mattresses, the plastic ones for children, easy and quick to assemble and inflate without getting too tired if you are in the water and the strength needed to float and swim. Unfortunately, buoyancy depends on the materials, but above all on the gross tonnage. The smaller the boat, the faster it sinks. A boat like this will have around 15 minutes, depending on where and how the waterway opens in the hull, probably even less. If the foam had the task of reducing floodable spaces, while maintaining buoyancy, special plastic containers inserted inside would probably have been more appropriate, they would have kept the space tight, they would also have reduced the floodable space, the material is very light , and would maintain that air which would give buoyancy. This is just my technical opinion which I expose only by way of analysis, it is absolutely not a criticism or a judgment, maybe the foam is better than any plastic container, I would like to hear your opinion about it if you have done more evaluations and to the end you chose the foam for the reasons you mentioned. I am very curious to see how you will choose to make the hydraulic system and the electrical system on board, they are among the main problems of a project, I follow you with interest and admiration. Good work.
@@giovannimanca2333 This is a true marine-rated, closed-cell foam that I'm using. It provides structural stiffness and also takes weeks to absorb any significant amount of water. Based on my volume calculations, I believe the sheer amount of foam, combined with the inherent buoyancy of much of the wooden structure will make the boat virtually unsinkable. It might roll over and float in an inverted position, but I don't think it would be possible to actually sink it. That was the main goal... just that there would be a structure in the water to still provide safety in the form of a visible marker of people in the water, and something to cling to while waiting for rescue. It's very unlikely that will ever occur, but that is the benefit of marine foam filled compartments. They end up maximizing buoyancy in a way that is very difficult to achieve with sealed containers or other options that don't fully fill the exposed space. Also, they provide insulation value and prevent air circulating, so if the compartments are truly sealed well, there should be no issues with condensation inside those (closed) chambers. I know a lot of people say such foamed chambers do absorb moisture, but generally those are in open-cockpit "wet" boats where water routinely comes in and has time to pool and seep into the floor, etc. In a closed cabin like this, I believe ours will stay very dry and secure unless the hull is ever breached by a very, VERY hard collision with something. Even then, it would take days, perhaps even weeks, for the foam to absorb enough moisture to lose any significant amount of buoyancy. It's really good stuff.
I figured you did it for a specific job, now I understand. In the event of an event, the hull will be a kind of "life raft". It is a smart and innovative idea, especially for a "monohull" construction. Based on the changes made compared to similar more conventional designs, the metacentre of the boat will certainly have changed, it will have risen slightly. with the relative weights that you will embark in the stern (engine), and the displacement of the other weights on board (kitchen, sofas, beds, etc.) will probably remain slightly high. But I find the innovative changes very interesting. At this point the displacement depends more on the distribution of the weights rather than on the shape of the hull, not vice versa as usual, precisely because of the choice of making this type of buoyancy. Each hull is linked to the parameter that the lower you go, the tighter and narrower the spaces are, in wooden constructions the problem is both the air and the water that stagnate. I had personal experience with a 30mt that after a year the central door no longer complied with the upward curved deck on which it rested, it was necessary to have good maintenance and extensive sanding. Unfortunately with wood this is the case, but I think that the massive treatment with the epoxy resin and the measures you have made reduce these problems but do not eliminate them completely. The humidity and the sea air could in any case give annoying condensation that can be contained by controlling the temperature and good ventilation. I really liked that you used the thermometer during construction, while passing the resin, keeping you in the degrees that its chemical reaction needs for an optimal reaction. Nothing more to say, I will follow with interest the subsequent proceedings of the project.
Am very new to the boating world, I've bought myself a little gp14 so that I can learn sailing, but I've got to do the boat up, as I bought it second-hand, so what primers would you recommend, and what resin do I need to buy?
Is your boat built of wood with fiberglass, or is it a plastic (FRP or GRP)? I'm not sure what you would use on the fiber reinforced plastic boats. If wood and fiberglass, you'll need to determine if it was built with modern epoxy resin or older polyester resin. Lots of questions to ask before you invest in anything, as chemical compatibility will be essential for a good bond. Tracking down a knowledgeable GP14 community on an internet forum is probably your best bet.
Running way behind due to surgery, weather, and a change in jobs that will require us to move across country. Hoping another video may be ready in a few months.
Just watched your build, good work. The problem with those boats is, they have no resale value, and it still just a plywood boat. We always recommend to people to get a factory boat cheap, gut and rebuild to your needs. More often than not, a poor factory boat will bring more money than a outstanding plywood shanty boat. And a factory boat is easier to insure.
Hi Mark, They're acrylic double pane molded windows on the sides, ordered from Anhui Maygood in China. They manufacture them for Dometic. In the front and back, they're self built frames around fixed, single panes of acrylic plexiglass. About 5/8" thick, I believe, which is probably overkill but I was worried about wind pressure when trailering on the interstate. After a 1700 mile trip to move to Wisconsin from Georgia, they held up great. They probably could've been 1/4" or 5/16" thick instead to save a little weight and cost.
It's right at 8'6" wide. The original design had it at 8'10", but I shrank the width 4" to keep it within the normal max trailerable width and avoid the need for a special towing permit in some states.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Lol, it's coming. Lots of setbacks this year... surgery, weather, and then a move across country for a new job. We just arrived to a new home in Wisconsin, but have to find a storage solution for keeping the boat nearby.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
There is no part 9. The video covers up through June of this year, and it's been too hot to work on it since, with daily temps reaching into the high 90s/100s and insufferable humidity. So there's no more progress to be made until the weather cools, I'm afraid. Probably around September/October.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
I’m not entirely sure but I believe I saw you got everything nicely protected with epoxy and glasfiber except from all the insides of the holes that you drilled in the outside of the hull etc. If true I would simply redo them and put some epoxy in the freshly drilled holes (you could oversized them to dril in all epoxy to be really anal about it) to close up that open grain and to keep water from getting in at those areas.
We're way behind! First surgery and recovery, then a lot of weather issues in Feb and March, and then I got a new job that will require us to move to Wisconsin. But, we're still at it. Made and painted a bunch of the interior cabin walls today and will soon be sealing in the windows. Have to get those in so we can tow it north!
@@LiveDontWatch Sorry to hear about Health issues. If the boat is a Hobby, it can wait lol. Life throws us curve balls. Take care, looking forward to videos, when they do come.
@Technocrat Just some hernia repair and it went well. But I couldn't lift anything over 5 lbs. for about 6 weeks during recovery. That was hard to stick to but the girls made me do it.
A word of advice, (please refer to video 1 of your series also) Owning a marina and a multitude of houseboats over the decades, the only critique I have is you're setting it up for transom entry/exit - which is a major no-no for outboard driven vessels and will severely limit what you can do with the boat. If you notice in video 1 of your series, the GT23 & GT27 have bow entry just for the reason of, say - camping at a bank. You will find it almost impossible to enter/exit from such a high bow and double so with the extras you added in the bow. You have limited the vessel to dock use. And rare day cruising, but functionality will be questionable in a real world/real use situation as the bow is the main entry point of any vessel away from the dock. Unless you only plan random cruises only, I highly suggest making the bow accessible. Anyway, it's my 2 cents from someone who regularly uses his boats.
Thanks. I did consider this. A key concern raised about those who have done the bow access on this design is the ability to take on a lot of water. We opted for the transom access for safety based on a few of those reports, but I have given thought to a bow ladder to increase flexibility. Unfortunately, actual owners of this design were impossible to track down for fuller discussion so I had to make a judgment call based on forum posts and anecdotes.
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Yes, agreed. But masks and 100+ degree heat are a bad idea too. I wear the mask as long as I can bear, especially in the more confined spaces, but sweat and dust mix together to plug the mask so quickly that it gets very difficult to breathe.
Sorry, we're way behind, but hopefully it's coming. We moved across the country for a new job and that has been taking all of our time. But I have months of footage of finishing the windows, trailer, and exterior to prepare for the move, which hopefully I'll have time to compile and edit soon.
As a time served wooden boatbuilder of 50 years I have never ever been moved by an amateur build ever. This should touched me on so many levels. It is a brutal expose of just how much goes into a boat build. It is a beautiful example of a truly amazing family, watching your kids grow older as each episode unfolds is magical. I have to say hats off to your wife for letting you embark on this crazy adventure and for being there every step of the way. And to to you sir you did all this and I assume held down a job and did all the necessary family stuff too? Bloody amazing! Oh and you must have dedicated another lifetime filming this so well. Backyard boatbuilding at its very, very best, I salute you sir and your family.
Wow thanks for the kind words. We're about two years behind schedule because of weather, family obligations, and recent surgery but it's still coming along. I'm almost recovered from hernia repair enough to get back at it.
@@LiveDontWatch I'm just coming off hernia repair and resuming work on my pocket trawler build.
man to see that kid grow up with you and learn so much just melts my heart. Great dad indeed.
Welcome back, missed you.
Great job Dad, Mom and kiddos!
Made my evening.
Come on Livedontwatch I am eagerly awaiting your ep9 it's been two years!!
Checking in for episode 9… very much looking forward to next installment - thank you!!!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
I loved your episode nine, and a move in not bad, so you know what I am going to say now, roll on ep10
Great builder, great husband, great dad! The perpetual smiles on your girls' faces says it all.
While I fantasize about building a boat, thanks to your videos, I’ll put that idea on permanent hold. 😏
Believe me, there are many days I wonder if I should've taken on this project. I have the right temperament and skills for it, but even then, it often wears me down with all the work. It's almost incomprehensible how much anything over about 20' long and 1500 lbs. seems to magnify all the logistical challenges. And MAN is it difficult trying to do all this without a nice large workshop to cover everything. As you can see in the video, my neighbor kindly let me borrow his carport and it is WONDERFUL having shade to work throughout the day.... If I were starting this project over today, I would start by installing a carport before anything else. I bet we would've saved over a year of time that has been lost to weather delays, etc.
Watching showed it’s not the boat but logistics of building items or structures in support of the build.
Will say watching your family get involve is a reward in itself.
Big progress! Beautiful work. Nice that it's a family project.
Just binged this entire, build.
Great series.
Subbed.
You have given all of us another wonderful display of beautiful and meticulous craftsmanship. Thank You for that!
Fantastic glad that you are back
I just wanted to tell you that this is one of the most enjoyable boat building series I’ve watched, and I’ve watched a bunch. So much fun seeing your houseboat come together. A lot of hard work that I’m sure your family will enjoy for years.
Great job of filming all this, too. I know how hard that can be to do. Please tell me that there will be more videos. Can’t wait to see her on the water.
Yes more videos will come. We had to wait out a very hot summer but we're back to building. Weather is cooling fast this year, but I think we can heat the interior and get a lot done through winter now...
Glad your back. What an incredible family project.
I've been waiting on this
Can’t wait for part 9
It looks great, y’all have done such a wonderful job.
Amazing! I learned a lot watching your project, top notch skills and nearly finished project. To build something so large and extensive outside of a fully enclosed work shop is really impressive. Thanks for sharing.
No kidding, this whole project would be a lot easier if I had an enclosed workshop. I can't believe how much time we've lost to weather related challenges (heat, cold, rain, wind, sticky pollen...). My neighbor kindly loaned us his carport and it's SO much nicer working in the shade and being able to keep working when it's raining. If I were starting over today, step one would be to build an enclosure/carport before anything else...
This sure reminds me of building a 20 foot sailboat with my dad when I was young. Nice job. Looking like a beauty boat. Tough for sure.
You are a True craftsman...Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us...We all wait for your maiden voyage on your first journey...
Beautiful. Caint wait to see it afloat!!
This has turned out amazingly well. I'm sure the work is very gratifying. When you don't work with your hands to earn a living, craftsmanship is a much greater reward. It is to me anyway, and I'm sure anyone who makes something beautiful and useful feels the same. Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement. When you get it in the water it's going to be overwhelming. So much better than just buying something .
All caught up now. Now I'm waiting patiently for the next update like everybody else is. Can't wait to see what you do with the interior.
Awesome!! Can’t wait to see it in the water
Great to have you back and great progress! Thank you for updating everyone. Looking forward to episode 9.
Built with love ..👌
waiting for the sea trial 🤗
Fantastic job - looking forward to seeing you and your family enjoying the boat!!!
I just found the 8 videos of this build yesterday. Hopefully you and the family can get settled into the new home and job and be able to get back on the build again soon. Great work so far!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
A superb effort, thank you for posting.
Checking in for episode 9… very much looking forward to next installment - thank you!!!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Seriously good, I binged watched the whole build until now.. cheers!
I am SO hanging out to see the Launch and trial runs :-)
So, I guess that's never going to happen then :(
I've been watching your episodes with great interest. I'm a woodstrip canoe building hobbyist. Watching you apply that heavy fiberglass with ease has given me confidence on my next build for fiberglassing. It looks like you live in or near Augusta. I lived there for 4 yrs at MCG in the mid80's and no one has paddled more miles in a canoe on the Augusta Canal than me I'm proud to say. I was at Olmsted Lake every morning to head out onto the canal before work. With your new boat I'm sure you can enjoy the Savannah River and Clark Hill Lake.
Hi Glenn, thanks for the kind words! I've logged quite a few paddling miles on the canal and the Savannah River too. I think this boat will be perfect for Clarks Hill Lake. We're about 9 miles and one stoplight away from it, so it's an easy drive/tow up to the lake to spend weekends swimming and sleeping up there. I'm sure the kids are going to love it--if we can just get this project finished. It's taken so much longer than expected, but my hope is we may be ready to launch by early next summer. I need to get the windows in and then it will be fairly straightforward to heat the interior and work through the winter, no longer at the mercy of the elements.... at least that's the hope. Getting an engine may be a trick too. I keep hearing to expect a 6 to 7 month wait on a new outboard.
@@LiveDontWatch I hurt my back recently and havent paddled since late August. I finished part 8 today and look forward to part 9 soon
Excellent work. Wow. What a lovely houseboat. Looking forward to seeing the finished interior as well.
Enjoyed the video, waiting on the next episode!
I was wondering only a couple of days ago when you were going to post up the next instalment video, many thanks for doing so. It`s really great to see her nearly finished, i love these style of boats, there are several hundred of different makes of fwd drive cruisers on the inland rivers, Broads, lakes, and canals of Britain, and are ideally suited to narrow inland rivers and canals, especially those that have low bridges.
She really does look great, and is a credit to all you and your family`s hard work. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Luckily, I only found your channel now. So there's plenty catching up to do. Very interesting project. Thanks for sharing
Awesome project guys. Well done 👍 it's going to be amazing when it's finished. Good health and God bless 👍
Wondered where you’ve been but it looks like you’re making good progress
That is so cool. The craftsmanship, your patience, all the sanding and the family woring together. A stunning boat. I love your videos. Good luck on the rest of it
Looking forward to your next video. Beautiful work.
Great to see your videos again
Great work....Greetings from Norway
Quality workmanship! Outstanding
I'm blown away at so many things with ur built.So inspiring to see this video sequence,it's just what the doctor order.Ive been building a 14 dory style skiff now all the work i have done it's tiny compared to ur monster project..keep up the good work,can wait to see ur next video👍💪♥️💯
your workmanship and I know patience is incredible great videoes
Thanks Don!
I am waiting to see it on the water. Don't forget about us. We are waiting
Ohhhhhhhhhh mmmmmmmyyyyyyy gooooooodddddddddneeeeeessssss thank you
Wow I have just binged this series and am really impressed with the tenacity, as well as the quality of your work. I was however burdened with not knowing how this story ends!! I live in GA too. Marietta. And know that we can have 4 seasons within a month, so I feel ya!
That said, when can we expect your next post?
Even more, I’m just imagining how the battle would have gone with my HOA if I were to build a boat in my side yard. (That’s why I don’t have one now!). Props, sir!
If you’d like to put together a work day , week,month let me know. Not sure how far you are but I’ll be there. I got skills!!
Good luck. Keep your head up and March forward!
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
I bet your kids can't wait to take her out, you have a beautiful family and boat!
WOW great boat videos can't wait to see it how all turn out ! Wondering if you had consider using the vacuum bag delivere method of putting on your resin onto your 9oz. Fiber glass on least some of the bigger surface areas?just getting caught up watching it just popped on my youtube channel and checked out it and man I'm glad I did. Thanks Jason
We thought briefly about vacuum bagging but decided to stick with the traditional hand lay up we're familiar with. Still at it, but the wet cool weather has been relentless every weekend. The warmer Georgia temps just arrived last week, so if the ground would dry up, we can finally get back to building and hopefully finish by late fall. It's a killer not having a climate controlled space.
Beautiful work!!!👍👍👍
Great job I love it. 😍
How did you acquire so much knowledge about how to build this boat... to know what all it needed... where it went and how it was installed? What a fantastic job you did.
That was the most exhausting part! I have probably over a hundred hours just redrawing the boat in 3D sketchup software so I could tinker with the layout and think through all the systems. There's so much you need to think through at the start to ensure everything will come together well at the end. In my case, everything above the main hull is custom designed differently than the plans. I honored the spacing of bulkheads for structural strength, but changed the entire flow of the space to improve visibility from the helm and comfort underway.
Oh wait, do you mean knowledge of building techniques? This is my fifth (arguably sixth) boat build. I started with a cedar strip kayak, then two sailboats, a small self-designed dinghy experiment, and also helped a friend build a small boat before we began this one.
@@LiveDontWatch I have only built a wood strip canoe years agobut I have a lot of books to study before I start on my lapstrake 17 ft. skiff. Maybe I can find someone in the Houston, TX area that is into boatbuilding and can give me some sound advice.
biggest thing hopfully your girls will learn from this build is 1st working for what you want... 2nd it will take time..............
Looking really good
One word...WOW!!!
harikasınız 👌👏👏
I’ve enjoyed watching your videos … when are you going to show more after part 8?
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Looks great. Could you do a short video on your fresh water tank please, I’m close to ordering mine and I need all the info I can get. Thanks
Hi Larry! Not much to show on video, but I'll be using an 18-gallon tank under the floor. This is the model I chose: www.plastic-mart.com/product/441/18-gallon-rv-water-tank-rvb235. I didn't want a lot of capacity because I'll have a pump/filter system that can refill the tank on demand from the lake. My main goal was to be able to store enough drinking water on board for a couple of days, or just enough water for a couple of short showers to rinse off. After that, we'll have to either hook up to a water hose (if on land) or flip the switch to filter more fresh water off the lake. We haven't started plumbing it in, so that's why I can't show you the details just yet. That's still ahead for us...
@@LiveDontWatch thanks
I watched with great admiration, but what happened, no part 9 until now?
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
@@LiveDontWatch Thank you, I enjoyed Part 9. I am Belgian, the sale of your home in Georgia and the buy of a new one in Winsconsin surprised me very much. Knowing that it takes only 175 miles to drive from Belgian border to border, your journey is an emigration for us, needing even to learn a new language. I can't wait to hear from you and adventures.
Hi, nice to see this great job. Congratulation for the beautiful family and for this project. I would like to ask you a few questions about your construction choices. The first is about the project, the type of hull is particular if you designed it I would like to know how you balanced the proportions of beam, length, and the angles of the bow and stern. Since there is no perfect hull, but the best compromise, there are basically 2 types of hull, rounded for more displacement, or "V" for more speed. The stern is tilted 13 ° outwards if you want to mount an outboard (gradation to keep the propeller perpendicular to the axis but away from the keel to work better), and the bow varies from 16 ° to 27 ° depending on at the type of speed you want (from 16 to 21 ° increases by about one knot, from 21 to 27 ° each degree increases by about 3 knots up to 5 degree by degree). The second question is about the spaces that have been filled with the foam. Holding the air gap would increase the buoyancy, but it has been filled, almost plugged with foam, I wonder if this is a choice to have the waterline at a certain point. I apologize for my too long comment, I wish you the best of luck and have fun building this beautiful boat.
Hi Giovanni, thanks for the questions. The hull is not my design. It was designed by Jacques Mertens. It's 28' long by 8' 10" wide, but I shrank the beam to 8'6" wide to avoid the need for a special towing permit in some states. You're correct the stern transom angle is 13 degrees for an outboard. I'm not sure the angle of the bow transom, but it's within the range you mentioned. I would guess maybe 25 degrees, but that's just a guess. The foam filler is to keep water out of the hull is ever breached. I wanted to make sure that even in a catastrophic accident the hull would stay afloat, as we will have kids aboard and also it buys time for people to make their way out of the cabin before it sinks. For the same reason, the eight side windows are all sized large enough for a typical adult to exit through them, if need be. More safety than we need, I'm sure, but that's how I wanted it.
@@LiveDontWatch Now that you have explained the objective of the project, which is based on the safety of the people on board, it is clear that the main purpose of the boat is family outings on weekends and holidays. If I can advise you, to increase safety you could put life jackets on the outside of the superstructure (for example between the windows) fixed with a small hydrostatic hook, so that in case of rollover or sinking (God forbid), in case you don't have time to grab what you need and you have to get in the water immediatly, you will still have a hold. To increase safety you could also equip, in addition to the classic basic kit that contains a fire extinguisher, life buoy, trumpet or whistle, etc., you could put 2 inflatable mattresses, the plastic ones for children, easy and quick to assemble and inflate without getting too tired if you are in the water and the strength needed to float and swim. Unfortunately, buoyancy depends on the materials, but above all on the gross tonnage. The smaller the boat, the faster it sinks. A boat like this will have around 15 minutes, depending on where and how the waterway opens in the hull, probably even less. If the foam had the task of reducing floodable spaces, while maintaining buoyancy, special plastic containers inserted inside would probably have been more appropriate, they would have kept the space tight, they would also have reduced the floodable space, the material is very light , and would maintain that air which would give buoyancy. This is just my technical opinion which I expose only by way of analysis, it is absolutely not a criticism or a judgment, maybe the foam is better than any plastic container, I would like to hear your opinion about it if you have done more evaluations and to the end you chose the foam for the reasons you mentioned. I am very curious to see how you will choose to make the hydraulic system and the electrical system on board, they are among the main problems of a project, I follow you with interest and admiration. Good work.
@@giovannimanca2333 This is a true marine-rated, closed-cell foam that I'm using. It provides structural stiffness and also takes weeks to absorb any significant amount of water. Based on my volume calculations, I believe the sheer amount of foam, combined with the inherent buoyancy of much of the wooden structure will make the boat virtually unsinkable. It might roll over and float in an inverted position, but I don't think it would be possible to actually sink it. That was the main goal... just that there would be a structure in the water to still provide safety in the form of a visible marker of people in the water, and something to cling to while waiting for rescue. It's very unlikely that will ever occur, but that is the benefit of marine foam filled compartments. They end up maximizing buoyancy in a way that is very difficult to achieve with sealed containers or other options that don't fully fill the exposed space. Also, they provide insulation value and prevent air circulating, so if the compartments are truly sealed well, there should be no issues with condensation inside those (closed) chambers. I know a lot of people say such foamed chambers do absorb moisture, but generally those are in open-cockpit "wet" boats where water routinely comes in and has time to pool and seep into the floor, etc. In a closed cabin like this, I believe ours will stay very dry and secure unless the hull is ever breached by a very, VERY hard collision with something. Even then, it would take days, perhaps even weeks, for the foam to absorb enough moisture to lose any significant amount of buoyancy. It's really good stuff.
I figured you did it for a specific job, now I understand. In the event of an event, the hull will be a kind of "life raft". It is a smart and innovative idea, especially for a "monohull" construction. Based on the changes made compared to similar more conventional designs, the metacentre of the boat will certainly have changed, it will have risen slightly. with the relative weights that you will embark in the stern (engine), and the displacement of the other weights on board (kitchen, sofas, beds, etc.) will probably remain slightly high. But I find the innovative changes very interesting. At this point the displacement depends more on the distribution of the weights rather than on the shape of the hull, not vice versa as usual, precisely because of the choice of making this type of buoyancy. Each hull is linked to the parameter that the lower you go, the tighter and narrower the spaces are, in wooden constructions the problem is both the air and the water that stagnate. I had personal experience with a 30mt that after a year the central door no longer complied with the upward curved deck on which it rested, it was necessary to have good maintenance and extensive sanding. Unfortunately with wood this is the case, but I think that the massive treatment with the epoxy resin and the measures you have made reduce these problems but do not eliminate them completely. The humidity and the sea air could in any case give annoying condensation that can be contained by controlling the temperature and good ventilation. I really liked that you used the thermometer during construction, while passing the resin, keeping you in the degrees that its chemical reaction needs for an optimal reaction. Nothing more to say, I will follow with interest the subsequent proceedings of the project.
Am very new to the boating world, I've bought myself a little gp14 so that I can learn sailing, but I've got to do the boat up, as I bought it second-hand, so what primers would you recommend, and what resin do I need to buy?
Is your boat built of wood with fiberglass, or is it a plastic (FRP or GRP)? I'm not sure what you would use on the fiber reinforced plastic boats. If wood and fiberglass, you'll need to determine if it was built with modern epoxy resin or older polyester resin. Lots of questions to ask before you invest in anything, as chemical compatibility will be essential for a good bond. Tracking down a knowledgeable GP14 community on an internet forum is probably your best bet.
Great!
Will you do specs? How much foam, ect? Kinda a SIP bottom sealed in epoxy - can't wait for the next part.
Hello Sir
Can't wait to see part 9 10 11 12 ect.
Running way behind due to surgery, weather, and a change in jobs that will require us to move across country. Hoping another video may be ready in a few months.
Just watched your build, good work. The problem with those boats is, they have no resale value, and it still just a plywood boat. We always recommend to people to get a factory boat cheap, gut and rebuild to your needs. More often than not, a poor factory boat will bring more money than a outstanding plywood shanty boat. And a factory boat is easier to insure.
Could you please let me know where you ordered your windows from and what the material is?
Hi Mark,
They're acrylic double pane molded windows on the sides, ordered from Anhui Maygood in China. They manufacture them for Dometic. In the front and back, they're self built frames around fixed, single panes of acrylic plexiglass. About 5/8" thick, I believe, which is probably overkill but I was worried about wind pressure when trailering on the interstate. After a 1700 mile trip to move to Wisconsin from Georgia, they held up great. They probably could've been 1/4" or 5/16" thick instead to save a little weight and cost.
Thank you. Fingers are crossed for another video! Be safe and Happy Holidays!@@LiveDontWatch
Nice build, how wide is the boat?
It's right at 8'6" wide. The original design had it at 8'10", but I shrank the width 4" to keep it within the normal max trailerable width and avoid the need for a special towing permit in some states.
The guys voice adds suspense.
You got any of that part 9?
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Wes~any updates?
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Very much looking forward to episode 9! Your voiceover reminds me of dick proenneke… I have a feeling the next set will truly be amazing. thank you.
What happened to part 9?
Lol, it's coming. Lots of setbacks this year... surgery, weather, and then a move across country for a new job. We just arrived to a new home in Wisconsin, but have to find a storage solution for keeping the boat nearby.
Any new videos we miss your project
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Where is part 9
There is no part 9. The video covers up through June of this year, and it's been too hot to work on it since, with daily temps reaching into the high 90s/100s and insufferable humidity. So there's no more progress to be made until the weather cools, I'm afraid. Probably around September/October.
Can you give us an update?
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
I’m not entirely sure but I believe I saw you got everything nicely protected with epoxy and glasfiber except from all the insides of the holes that you drilled in the outside of the hull etc.
If true I would simply redo them and put some epoxy in the freshly drilled holes (you could oversized them to dril in all epoxy to be really anal about it) to close up that open grain and to keep water from getting in at those areas.
All holes were drilled oversize, filled with epoxy, then redrilled to the proper size. They're sealed.
Start agustus part 1 folow this vidio...amazing 👍👍👍👍
Hello, so where are the rest of the videos, lol post build 😊
We're way behind! First surgery and recovery, then a lot of weather issues in Feb and March, and then I got a new job that will require us to move to Wisconsin. But, we're still at it. Made and painted a bunch of the interior cabin walls today and will soon be sealing in the windows. Have to get those in so we can tow it north!
@@LiveDontWatch Sorry to hear about Health issues. If the boat is a Hobby, it can wait lol. Life throws us curve balls.
Take care, looking forward to videos, when they do come.
@Technocrat Just some hernia repair and it went well. But I couldn't lift anything over 5 lbs. for about 6 weeks during recovery. That was hard to stick to but the girls made me do it.
Looks like my old Optimist Pram.
Lol, except about 8 times bigger! But yes, there is a distinctly boxy look...
GG, W & co, may Ga weather be kind
Loving every part, but dislike that blue colour, 70s colour.. I almost would have preferred it completely white.. maybe a stripe of colour..
Yes I was outvoted on the color by my girls. But it's growing on me. :)
7+
I know Bella I dated her😉😉 and this I cool to see this is Aiden if you don’t know
A word of advice, (please refer to video 1 of your series also) Owning a marina and a multitude of houseboats over the decades, the only critique I have is you're setting it up for transom entry/exit - which is a major no-no for outboard driven vessels and will severely limit what you can do with the boat. If you notice in video 1 of your series, the GT23 & GT27 have bow entry just for the reason of, say - camping at a bank. You will find it almost impossible to enter/exit from such a high bow and double so with the extras you added in the bow. You have limited the vessel to dock use. And rare day cruising, but functionality will be questionable in a real world/real use situation as the bow is the main entry point of any vessel away from the dock. Unless you only plan random cruises only, I highly suggest making the bow accessible. Anyway, it's my 2 cents from someone who regularly uses his boats.
Thanks. I did consider this. A key concern raised about those who have done the bow access on this design is the ability to take on a lot of water. We opted for the transom access for safety based on a few of those reports, but I have given thought to a bow ladder to increase flexibility. Unfortunately, actual owners of this design were impossible to track down for fuller discussion so I had to make a judgment call based on forum posts and anecdotes.
It’s like I have seen your girls grow up before my eyes😮
I still can't believe that your wife let you epoxy the doors in the kitchen...
LOL, she was out of town. I asked forgiveness instead of permission.
@@LiveDontWatch lol
@James Boat Build
Noooo. Next???
Thanks for your patience... Part 9 is FINALLY here. When it finishes uploading, it should be available at this link: ua-cam.com/video/pd7s4Hrsaos/v-deo.html
Dalai Lama wanted me to tell you that you've long since achieved "total consciousness". Try and take it all in.
Lol. Just a little more sanding to reach nirvana....
Grammar is bad bad
No masks sanding wood and epoxy is a very bad idea
Yes, agreed. But masks and 100+ degree heat are a bad idea too. I wear the mask as long as I can bear, especially in the more confined spaces, but sweat and dust mix together to plug the mask so quickly that it gets very difficult to breathe.
Where is part 9
Sorry, we're way behind, but hopefully it's coming. We moved across the country for a new job and that has been taking all of our time. But I have months of footage of finishing the windows, trailer, and exterior to prepare for the move, which hopefully I'll have time to compile and edit soon.