Ric's 7.5m Plate Alloy Cat Build

[ric]

Pre-fitting the window frames before glass is done. Frames will be black annodised and the glass is 6mm toughened and smoked.

Fat bouy (sailfish marine windows) is doing all the sliding windows and has also sorted out the toughened glass for the windscreen too!

[billpatt]

What a great project, have just read the thread from start to finish, and really appreciate the effort you have gone through to document the process. She is going to be a sweet ride when completed, just make sure you don't skimp on the champaign when she is christened .

What was your main decision behind chosing the plate boat, over getting an older fibreglass boat and doing it up?

You will probably get more frustrated from here on in I guess, as you will be relying on other people more and more to finish the project.

Can't wait to see some more photos and then the finished product.

[ric]

What was your main decision behind chosing the plate boat, over getting an older fibreglass boat and doing it up?

You will probably get more frustrated from here on in I guess, as you will be relying on other people more and more to finish the project.

thanks for your nice comments,

I just happen to be in a unique position where i have the time and money to complete the build. Excuses breed laziness, i know what i wanted and found a way to get it within a reasonable budget.

Alloy vs second hand fibreglass? I measured the boat today to make sure for the spray booth and i am at 8.3m LOA, i would dred to think what that would weight in glass. 4-4.5t depending on fitout.
Main items which made me go alloy were weight, space (alloy boats are always much bigger inside than glass for some reason) and its hardiness around beaches/trailers/ramps.

Out of all the people i have dealt with for the build, only one has left a foul taste in my mouth, the rest of them i will happily list at the end of the build - including items they supplied and the service they gave me.

hope this answers your q's
Ric

[Jarrah Jack]

Out of all the people i have dealt with for the build, only one has left a foul taste in my mouth,


Ric

Best not to try and eat people you're dealing with....

[ric]

Side window cutout

[ric]

doing all final sanding prep for paint. tidying up some welds and making things look friendly.

[ric]

bow area all sanded and windscreen frames all sanded down.

[ric]

Hope you all enjoy the pics.

Boat will be moved on Sunday from the shed to the painter. I have created up a 'sh!t list' of items i have been putting off doing, but now they all need to be done before Sunday!

If all goes to plan I am hoping to video us lifting the boat onto the plant trailer and taking it down to the painter. If you guys are interested I will edit and upload a video on here. Probably just need to cut out the language and nudity.

Might have some final photos of prep on Friday/Saturday before the run on Sunday morning to the painter.

If you see me on the road Sunday - give us a wave!

Thanks all, Ric

[WalrusLike]

I would love to see your vid. I don't know how you could possibly find the time to do it though.

Very nice job you've done and I am in awe of your 'stick-to-it-ivness' That's a huge job and its a credit to your drive and creativity.

Regarding the nudity... if your referring to a risk of seeing your plumbers crack... please edit it out or at least wear this T-shirt ....

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1384892497.208331.jpg

[Chris Tucker]

Ric,

Just had a client steer me towards your thread. You've done a great job and should be proud of your work. It is not unusual for home builder's to do a better job than commercial ones, but it is quite unusual for them to do a great job and build the boat in a reasonable time frame.

A couple of thoughts on the work you have left to do.
1. If you have any foam left glue it to the roof in between the stiffeners before covering, it will double as a great insulator in hot weather.
2. When you fit the engines start with the cav plate about 1" above the keel line.

For those of you following from home:
The roof is designed assuming people will walk on it. It is my policy that any structure on the boat that looks like it should support your weight will.
All the structure in this boat is designed to survey. If this boat was going into survey you'd just have to add a couple of large manual bilge pumps and either a life raft or some foam under the gunwales.
Ric bought his kit through Plate Alloy Australia. Doing so not only gets you the kit but also the jig, many of the fittings and the comfort of having an experienced boat builder on the other end of the phone if you have any question. If you're considering a project like this I can't recommend their boat building courses highly enough.

For those of you who like watching builds, Pelagic Boats in Leongatha have just started on an 8m Cat for survey and will be keeping updated photos on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/phamarine.pelagicboats .

I can't wait to see the finished photos.

Chris Tucker

[ric]

Ric,

Just had a client steer me towards your thread. You've done a great job and should be proud of your work. It is not unusual for home builder's to do a better job than commercial ones, but it is quite unusual for them to do a great job and build the boat in a reasonable time frame.

A couple of thoughts on the work you have left to do.
1. If you have any foam left glue it to the roof in between the stiffeners before covering, it will double as a great insulator in hot weather.
2. When you fit the engines start with the cav plate about 1" above the keel line.

For those of you following from home:
The roof is designed assuming people will walk on it. It is my policy that any structure on the boat that looks like it should support your weight will.
All the structure in this boat is designed to survey. If this boat was going into survey you'd just have to add a couple of large manual bilge pumps and either a life raft or some foam under the gunwales.
Ric bought his kit through Plate Alloy Australia. Doing so not only gets you the kit but also the jig, many of the fittings and the comfort of having an experienced boat builder on the other end of the phone if you have any question. If you're considering a project like this I can't recommend their boat building courses highly enough.

For those of you who like watching builds, Pelagic Boats in Leongatha have just started on an 8m Cat for survey and will be keeping updated photos on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/phamarine.pelagicboats .

I can't wait to see the finished photos.

Chris Tucker

Thanks Chris for posting up, - some may not know but he designed the boat.

Chris - There are no aspects of the design or construction phases that I would want to change, Everything fits perfectly as described. I think your designs around the 6m mono would be a real winner for someone wanting to save some money,and not a big outlay on their time.

I fitted all the foam underfloor, but the roof and cabin will be lined with a PVC foam sheeting and then marine carpet headliner. I was actually really surprised that you were able to design such a boat that was 'easy' to build not being a physical builder yourself. Quiet an accomplishment. Well done.

Ric.

[Chris Tucker]

Thanks Chris for posting up, - some may not know but he designed the boat.

Chris - There are no aspects of the design or construction phases that I would want to change, Everything fits perfectly as described. I think your designs around the 6m mono would be a real winner for someone wanting to save some money,and not a big outlay on their time.

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.

I was actually really surprised that you were able to design such a boat that was 'easy' to build not being a physical builder yourself. Quiet an accomplishment. Well done.

A lot of that praise has to be directed to John Pontifex and his team at Plate Alloy Australia. The build methodology for your boat and the other Powercats I've done for them is based upon their proven methodology for the home builder.

[ric]

Lifted the boat out of the shed today with no issues. pics to come and then i will get up some video action (not tonight). a couple of drinks to celebrate are currently under way...

[ric]

bit of a clean up prior to lifting.

[ric]

everyone has their own ways of doing things.... this is mine.