Gator Skiff

[beekeeper]

The first boat I built was a "Gator Boats" Croc model skiff. This is their smaller version "Gator" model.
My goals were to build by the plans to see how long it would take, and if any "improvements" could be made.

6/02/21
2hrs. cutting chine logs, gunnels, etc.
3 " marking, cutting and trying to fit floor to the logs

 

[Kayak Jack]

Go get’em, JD!

 

[beekeeper]

First lesson learned was; If you are building with plans, follow them. I cut the chine logs shaped and sized the way I normally do them. They did not want to bend around the shape of the floor. The boat's floor beam is 30" and is only 10' long. Plans called for ripping a 1" X 4" to make two logs. I did not have one so I did what I usually do and cut them from a two by something board. Had to redo that. The chine log on the left is sized according to plans. Mine is on the right.

 

[Kayak Jack]

I learned a lesson with B-52 bomb bay doors: “When all else fails, follow the directions,”

 

[beekeeper]

6/03/21
6 hrs. cutting the chine logs again and attaching them to the floor. Easy, once I followed the directions.

 

[beekeeper]

Another lesson learned; Made the side rails 1/2" thick not 3/4" liked the plans called for = not stiff enough. Added a top rail/cap and that corrected the problem.

6/15/21
61 hrs. total invested and the boat and seat are finished.

Seat made from scrap plywood. Not pretty but cheap and it will work.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

The first boat I built was a "Gator Boats" Croc model skiff. This is their smaller version "Gator" model.
My goals were to build by the plans to see how long it would take, and if any "improvements" could be made.

6/02/21
2hrs. cutting chine logs, gunnels, etc.
3 " marking, cutting and trying to fit floor to the logs
View attachment 1574

Bee I hope that that's iced coffee.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

I learned a lesson with B-52 bomb bay doors: “When all else fails, follow the directions,”

Jack, I'm sure there is a tech order about manually closing B52 doors. In 20 years never saw it. But I know it takes 6 big, young men!

 

[beekeeper]

Coffee was hot. Ice is for tea.

Thanks Andy for the plans. I enjoyed the build and relearned some things.

 

[beekeeper]

I recently got a compliment on this boat, or I took it as one. The 14 yr. old owner's Dad told me with the approach of hurricane Idea the boy did not want the boat to blow away so he brought it inside to his room. I'm glad he thought enough of the boat to care. I'm also glad he did because it probably would have blown away.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Kind of a clumsy project, moving a fishing boat into and through a house. I’ll bet that Mom was scurrying along ahead, setting vases etc well back out of the way. I’d take it as a compliment. The young guy obviously loves that boat. Does he have a dog too?

A boat, a dog, and a bike - what more could a 14 year old want??!!