Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on February 5, 2012 at 12:39pm

The angle is short to long.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on February 5, 2012 at 12:40pm

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Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on February 5, 2012 at 12:42pm

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Permalink Reply by Dave P on February 5, 2012 at 1:32pm

So the measurement is right angle to the side and not across at the cut?

Boy I was way off. Your pics helped!

Thanks Rick!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on February 6, 2012 at 7:19am

Hey Dave,

The bottom width is not critical. I taper mine pretty much as wide as the piece is to 1-1/2" at the top. By the way, the top measurement is 1-1/2" where the top of the hull side is on the rib not on the top of the rib. This way you have a 1-1/2" gap between the gunnels.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Dave P on February 6, 2012 at 8:03am

Good tip Mike, that's what I was concerned about, the gap wasn't enough. Plus I was going to notch the inner rail into the frame. I think I got her figured out.

Thanks!!

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on February 6, 2012 at 8:53am

Dave, I am not sure if I understand your comment correctly about notching the inner gunwale into the frame. My concern is the gunwales form a rigid structure at the shear line or top of the hull. It would seem that notching the gunwale would introduce stress risers, reduce strength and provide increased opportunities for water to enter.

Since I do not have details of your build or any information on where you plan to use your boat my concerns may be pointless. However in a general sense it would seem that notching a stressed member of a drift boat might be problematic.

Good luck with your build and keep us informed. We love pictures and stories.

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by Dave P on February 6, 2012 at 9:19am

Instead of cutting the inside of the side frame at the proper angle all the way (as the photo above shows) I was going to notch the side frame so the inner rail sits flush with the outer. Isn't that the old school way of doing it? I thought I read here also that is the way several builders do this step of the build? I don't think I want that steep angle on the inside of the frame. No I don't plan on cutting into the sheer rails.

I'm just trying to build the tried and true drift boat, nothing new, to be used where it's deep enough to throw it in the water. Which is hard to find around here. San Juan, Green, sections of the Colorado, lakes.

May take awhile before the pics are posted.

Thanks for your reply Rick!

I am starting to feel like I am talking with rock stars of the boat world!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on February 6, 2012 at 11:32am

Hey Dave,

Notching the frames is how I build too, but it does get a bit tricky at the transom. One note, when you get to the frames with a larger angle you will need to go a bit bigger then the 1-1/2" width to get the true 1-1/2" gap. There needs to be 1-1/2" from the flat of the angle to the flat of the other side. Experiment with a scrap piece. cut opposing angles and lay the side with the angle on the bench and measure the height and you will see what I mean (hopefully).

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Dave P on February 7, 2012 at 8:13pm

Mike, you pointed out another mistake I was making. I assumed (yeah I know the acronym) it would be just cut a few angles on the saw and be done with it. Hummmmm...

I don't know where my brain went to, but thanks to you and Rick and others, have saved a bunch of fir trees.

Thanks, Dave

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