Ric's 7.5m Plate Alloy Cat Build

[ric]

Will you be building the trailer yourself also?

Mate, I like your thinking.

[Muddy Toes]

come on muddy be serious!!!
I need to add 30-40%, paid in full up front.
but wait there's more........
i'll give you a number to call me on. but don't worry, that phone is never answered.
Oh no.. look what's happened, I accidentally went broke. sorry mate, maybe next time I open a company.

Hope your not planning on going bankrupt.

Can I say 'bankrupt' on your thread or are we going down to the solicitors to sort it out?
Those pics look unreal mate!!! I think I'm like 99% of guys on here though,,,,,would love to do something like this,,,prob don't have the skills, room or patience but can somehow see ourselves in those pics. It's really the ultimate boys project in by the looks of it, the ultimate boys shed!!!

[Andy H]

Yeah the shed's a cracker. Fit's a 7.5m cat AND an Isuzu truck...
Top job mate and I hope it all goes well for you.

[ric]

thanks guys,

I was sceptical about the accuracy of the cnc cutting. But I have to admit, it has been perfect. the only gaps have been from my own error.

Pics are easier to upload than the work it shows! Its an emotional rollercoaster, some days I would love to sell it for scrap and other days when I read the saltwater reports, I get pumped up and push on.
I just thought its time I post something positive on this site.

Like is said, I have been going 1 year and 12 days. I started the clock on the day I started to prep the jig frame. (comes with the kit) aiming to be well and truly up and running by Christmas this year.

[cobiaman]

Cant wait to see the finished product, looks awesome so far!

[ric]

Cant wait to see the finished product, looks awesome so far!

its a bit further along than the pics I posted. I will get more pics up soon of the internals etc.

[MrNanks]

Looks great mate.
My dad and mum built a 33 foot cabin cruiser when I was 12 years old and we had the best times away with mates and family.
It was an incredible effort , much like yours.

Thanks for posting the photos and story so far.
Cheers
Dave

[Apollo]

She is a ripper Ric. Having built a yacht with my father, I have some idea of what it takes and the dogged attitude you need sometimes. Well done.

[solemandownunder]

Awesome stuff Ric, good onya for havin' a go.

The price ranges you speak of are way out of OUR grasp, but this thread is a pleasure, in that we are seeing the birth of a new baby, built from the ground up.

Thanks for sharing the pics, makes it much easier to understand what you have been going through.

Cheers, Ray & Kerri.

[Snapperscott]

Brave man. Keep it up!

[fisho64]

top going mate! I have been looking at the mono hulls of their designs but they seem a little dated. The cats look to be a newer design.
One thing-no bungs? I have been involved in the commercial building of many 10-30 meters ally boats and its a rarity to have one that doesn't have a pinhole somewhere. Doesn't have to be below the waterline-rain on the deck can get in.
Point being though-no bung, how will you ever know until it gets too heavy

[WalrusLike]

Truly awesome Ric. Thanks so much for sharing.

That is going to be heaven when it's done.... And you will know and love every inch of her.

Re bungs.... I assume you are planning on the hulls will be foam filled and therefore water can't ever be an issue? I am only a armchair amateur but I have seen over the years foam filled things where the foam has degraded a tad and is no longer a complete fill of the space, or worse has just gone away somehow.

Don't know if modern foams are different or if that just can't happen... but have you considered that type of event?

In any case your build is great to see and the rest of us just look on in envy.... but I for one would not be strong enough to plow on through the many obstacles that you must occasionally face. Wish I had your willpower.

Good onya mate.... great stuff.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[ranga7]

Good luck ric, hope it all goes well, you must be a pretty clever bloke to put something like this together, I'm hopeless at building stuff and often find myself looking at things like your boat and thinking, thats awesome how the bloody hell would u build that.

ps great idea getting the wife involved, should make the process a bit more peaceful.

[ric]

top going mate! I have been looking at the mono hulls of their designs but they seem a little dated. The cats look to be a newer design.
One thing-no bungs? I have been involved in the commercial building of many 10-30 meters ally boats and its a rarity to have one that doesn't have a pinhole somewhere. Doesn't have to be below the waterline-rain on the deck can get in.
Point being though-no bung, how will you ever know until it gets too heavy

Hi Fisho
don't be deterred by what they have on their website. Have a chat with them.
Yeah, pins holes are well. something you just have to deal with and be diligent with your weld inspections.

ok no bungs: I will post up some more pics in a minute, but to explain why, basically between the transom frame and the rear bulkhead (where the scuppers are) is sealed off, if water were to get into that cavity, it can't travel any further. If I were to leave all bulkheads/frames 'open' I would run huge bilge pumps and then have bungs. the bungs would only service between the last frame and transom. hope that makes sense.

all the decks will be welded down apart from the cockpit area where the fuel soft patches will be bolted down for access. if water were to leak in, I am able to inspect these areas and rectify the leak. otherwise with the 10 sealed compartments, I would need 10 bulge pumps etc etc.

[ric]

Re bungs.... I assume you are planning on the hulls will be foam filled and therefore water can't ever be an issue? I am only a armchair amateur but I have seen over the years foam filled things where the foam has degraded a tad and is no longer a complete fill of the space, or worse has just gone away somehow.

Don't know if modern foams are different or if that just can't happen... but have you considered that type of event?

In any case your build is great to see and the rest of us just look on in envy.... but I for one would not be strong enough to plow on through the many obstacles that you must occasionally face. Wish I had your willpower.

walrus, I purchased the foam from the plate alloy company which is survey approved buoyancy sheets. I won't be pouring in foam .fuel/oils doesn't worry it.
the sheets of foam will be cut to fit the cavities.
so I guess if I presumed water was entering, the sheets could easily be removed and inspected.