Drift boat build

I've been wanting one of these boats since I was a kid. The price of these is stupid expensive. We are talking $5-6 grand for a boat with no motor! Just wrong!

While at work I stumbled across plans for the boat I wanted. The only problem, the plans were for a wooden boat. Bummer.

After a couple days go by, I decide to Email the owner of the plans. His plans called for 1/4" plywood. I wanted to use 1/8" aluminum. I'm a skilled fabricator, so using alloys is more my speed.

I asked the owner of the plans if his plans could be adapted for thinner material? His response, "no one has ever asked me that, but I don't see why they wouldn't work". "These plans are for the rough construction of the boat, an 1/8" in difference is not going to make a huge impact"

I boaght the plans and have found no regrets.

This is what the boat looks like now, just so you know what we are talking about.

 

First off the frames for the shape of the boat needed to be constructed. The plans I purchased gave me the dimensions for these. There is a bunch and they are different sizes.

The boat sides will be attached to these to create the shape of the boat.

 

Here is all 8 of the forms. The owner of the plans calls them "strong backs". I dunno? They are forms to me.

 

I have only built one wooden boat. Not sure of terminology for metal. For wood, all four forms wood go on a strongback, or frame work, to hold them in correct alignment while the hull sheeting goes on.

You need some 2x6s, or maybe 2x4s if your Al sheets are light enough.

 

The boat sides are made from 2 sheets of aluminum seamed together. This will make a boat roughly 15' long.

The 1st pic is of my welds. At that time I was unaware that my spool gun was defective. I just figured it had been so long since I welded, that I was out of practice. I was not proud, but I figured I better show that good welders make shitty welds at times.

 

Standby. I will show how it went for me

 

The 2, 4 x 8 seamed together. This will be the 2 sides.

 

Ripping the sheet to make the 2 sides. A carbide tipped blade does a very good job cutting this stuff.

 

The 2 sides cut to size and the location of the forms marked on the sheet.

 

Wrapping the sides around the 1st of the forms. I will note that this part of the job kicked my ass. Next time I will have a second person assist me. Trying to control 2, 35 lbs. pieces of sheeting is work!

Cool!

Can I request another sticker for the trailer?

 

Wrapping the sides around the 1st of the forms. I will note that this part of the job kicked my ass. Next time I will have a second person assist me. Trying to control 2, 35 lbs. pieces of sheeting is work!

I do remember how excited I was when I got to this stage! It looks like a boat!...kinda.

 

Sides are attached to the forms with drywall screws driven into the forms.

I made legs for the 1st and last form to get the boat off the ground.

I remembering being very worried that my welds would crack. I was happy to see they flexed just fine.

Note: I started this boat November 24th of 2016.

 

Great project. I've always wondered why the float boats were so incredibly expensive. Like you mentioned in open, a similar jon boat might be $750, the floater will be over $5,000.

 

The only thing I can think is there is such a small market for these things, that it does not pay to make these in production form. They are all built, "1 up".

I've got less than $2000 in materials. Another $500 for the trailer.

 

Pulling the sides together to form the bow. Whoever invented winch straps, I want to shake their hand. You will never run out of uses for them.

 

Preparing to seam more sheeting together for the bottom.

 

Subbed. Great work Kirk.
How soon till it's water worthy or did I see somewhere that you already had it out for a test spin?

 

Shot of the bottom tack welded to the sides. I cheated at this point. I had my wife walk on the sheeting to push it down to meet the sides. Her assistance was greatly appreciated. I was not in love with all the time needed to clamp things together.