Big things that float

[DontPokeTheBear]

My Dad and I finished our boat last spring, I thought I would share the project with you all, and maybe inspire you to build something you always wanted.
While my Dad has had a lifetime of experience on the water (owner operator of The Undersea Company/Cpt Jacks) neither of us are experienced boat builders, and though I am a certified welder, I build and maintain real estate websites for my day job. To say it was an easy undertaking would be quite the understatement! It took over a year and the rotating help of many friends and family, but the rewards where worth the hard work.

 

[350xfire]

Very cool. Congrats!

 

[fjpatrum]

Are you going to paint her or do any "finish" work, or just leave it bright like that? Looks like a good project. I'm partial to wooden boats, but that's an impressive amount of work in your "spare" time.

 

[DontPokeTheBear]

originally we had planned to paint it, but the bare aluminum kinda grew on us.
So I think we'll keep it bright.

 

[350xfire]

So what is it going to be powwered by? And how much did it cost to build it?

 

[DontPokeTheBear]

Well since the build It's been fit with a Yamaha F150 fourstroke and a matching kicker. It tops out at 38 knots with a full 80gal of fuel and two people.
We fished it all summer in Alaska, other than a few electrical bugs it performed flawlessly. The pics are from cholmondeley sound in southeast AK, the first is at our dock in front of my Dad's research vessel, second is in clarence strait. I'm sure we had a fish on right after this
As far as cost. The raw materials (alum,welding supplies,misc. tools) was around 12,000. Motors, electronics and misc. parts to outfit the boat was around 25,000.

 

[350xfire]

Well since the build It's been fit with a Yamaha F150 fourstroke and a matching kicker. It tops out at 38 knots with a full 80gal of fuel and two people.
We fished it all summer in Alaska, other than a few electrical bugs it performed flawlessly. The pics are from cholmondeley sound in southeast AK, the first is at our dock in front of my Dad's research vessel, second is in clarence strait. I'm sure we had a fish on right after this
As far as cost. The raw materials (alum,welding supplies,misc. tools) was around 12,000. Motors, electronics and misc. parts to outfit the boat was around 25,000.

Awesome... Would you consider that a huge savings from buying a new one?

 

[Dr Wu]

Very nice looking project. And cool you have the time and talent with your dad to do such things.

The only part of your post I find fault with is considering boats "large things that float".

I prefer to consider all boats "large things that temporarily avoid sinking".

(not that this one will, I am just the ever pessimist...or at least the optimist with a large lifejacket)


Also, I agree the raw finish is the way to go. Looks badass.

 

[East West]

I like heavy duty aluminum boats but do not have the skills to build one . Instead drove to Bellingham Washington from Los Angeles to buy a workskiff which is similar . I wish there were more folks like you in Southern California , most here are the wimpy type .

 

[Bogie]

Great work.