Recapturing my youth by building a wood flatbottom

[johnmiller]

After last Christmas I started building an 18' wood flatbottom.
It has brought back many unforgetable memories of the good ole days of building wood boats and working with my dad. I found the frame templates and a loft board when I was cleaning out my dads garage after he passed away a few years ago. He built 2 of these boats in the late eighties, one of them belongs to Flatstupid.
If some of you are interested, I will post up pics from the start and explain things along the way.

[Beautiful Noise]

If some of you are interested, I will post up pics from the start and explain things along the way.
That would be Great seeing from Start to Finish

[Roaddogg 4040]

Kool... Start posting...
Steve

[wright on]

I dont know if your interested but I have a wood flatbottom in Fresno, Ca that needs to be restored. Has all hardware. Not sure what brand, was always, told that it was a belmont hull. Thru transom exaust. currently still has a 327 chevy engine all elderbrock accessories.

[78DiMarco]

Let's see some pic's John!!
I hope to see you tomorrow but I still have not received the parts!!

[johnmiller]

I already assembled all the frames using a loft board to align the frame pieces and engine stringer supports. I then had to build a jig that is used to line up all the frames and hold them in position with clamps while the keel, bow stem, batons, chine, and shear are installed.
Here are some pics:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...4/P1000776.JPG
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...0/frames_2.jpg

[johnmiller]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/jig_3.JPG

[johnmiller]

The keel and bow stem are installed next, then the battons, chine, and shear.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...00/battons.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...4/P1000797.JPG

[johnmiller]

I reinforced the bottom between the transom and first frame to allow for a recessed cavitation plate.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...4/P1000825.JPG

[wsuwrhr]

This is going to be cool