Conclusion

Edith is registered and has been on 3 voyages so far. I am 95% please with her and have found only a few things I would change.

Registering her cost me approximately $80. Taxes at the county cost $42 and a 3 year registering fee cost $36. I had to go to the TWRA and have her registered and get a hull ID #, then wait on the numbers to arrive in the mail. Not a big hassle but enough.

My first trip consisted of a lone maiden voyage where I ended up spending my time fixing the motor and gas line. I did get to try out the motor for about 5 minutes before trolling back to the dock for repairs.

My seconde voyage was a short fishing trip with my boy. We rode for about an hour and fished some. Mainly trying out the tilt to find the proper position with two men in the boat.

The third trip was with a friend fishing a river.


Things I've found out about her are:

1. She floats without the plug in. With 2 people in her she takes on about 4 gallons of water in 10 minutes and basically stops drawing water. This is good and makes me feel better about the floatation I used.
2. I have a short in the bilge pump. A fixable electrical problem, but definitely a hassle.
3. I wish she was 1-2 feet longer. Yes, it would cost $500 more, but the extra room with 2 adults would be nice. I also think it would ride better.
4. An 8 hp motor is a little light. I think a 12 hp would be perfect. She planes by myself but with 2 adults it struggles. If the forward person sits to far upfront she wants to dig in and water splashes.
5. The flat bottom is very stable and draws 4 inches of water. But it will beat you a little in waves.
6. The rear seat is 1/4" to close to the inside of the boat. It rubs against the splash rail when I lean back while driving.
7. The fishfinder has issues when running the motor wide open. I think it is because of the pontoon/motor distances.
8. The transom needs to be about 14" tall from bottom with the pontoons. The 15" standard height is a little tricky when trimming.
9. Needs a tilt trailer for such a short boat.
10. People seem to love it. I can't go anywhere without answering 20 questions. Hunters stop me on the road, fisherman putter up and check it out, and everyone stares. The TWRA loves to stop and check it for regulations just to see it.

In summary- Best boat I've ever built (only one though). The minor changes wouldn't be to big of a deal to change when I build Edith II. I plan on building another after hunting season. I am also thinking about selling the plans online and have had a few inquiries about building for people.

Day 64

Went to register Edith today. If you live in Tennessee then here is the process:
1- Pay taxes at the county clerk for anything bought that didn't get taxes taken out during sales- bring all your receipts
2- Fill out a form with the TWRA for a "hull identification number" and fax it in
3- Take the boat to the TWRA and let them install the "HIN" after approval of form
4- Fill out the next form and wait for your numbers to come in via mail. They will let you use your receipt until the number comes in the mail

Sort of a pain, but maybe I can be on the water this weekend.

Day 63

EDITH is complete. I went on vacation for a couple of days and when I returned she was waiting for me. I finished the camo, installed all the electrical and rub rails, and put the seats in.

The pictures below show some of the details that went into her. I decided on a shadow camo pattern to help hid her in various conditions. I found that to much camo makes it look like a dark blob on the horizon and ducks see it. Therefore I just broke up the outline with cane, leaves, and shadows.

Edith has a bilge pump, floor lights, head lights, running lights, 12V receptacle, fishfinder on the electrical end. 2 seats, trolling motor, 8 hp tiller motor, 3 rod holders, and all accessories (running lights) have a storage area.

I will post a video this weekend on her maiden voyage.

Day 54

I decided to put my first coat of flat paint on the boat today- Hunters Marsh Grass. I was hoping for 1 coat but it looks like 2 will be needed. Total coats of paint before camo pattern- 5.

Day 53

Last coat of enamel applied today. I also finished painting all the accessories that needed painting with flat khaki paint.

I am going to let it cure for a week before I apply the flat coat of camo base paint.

Day 51

Applied the 2nd coat of paint today on the boat. One more to go before I camo it out. I still haven't decided on the camo pattern. I want it to be functional, but look good as well.

Day 49

It has been real cold in the garage the last few days. I am waiting for the caulk to cure around the splash rail and then I will give it all a light sand. Not in to big of a rush because I need the garage a little warmer to apply the second coat of paint.

Day 46

Today was paint day. I spent the morning doing a final sand prep for paint. The pic is of her all ready to go.

I chose Earthy Cane from Porter for the color. It is a gloss and will be sanded down before the final coat of Parkers Khaki is applied. I did a lot of reasearch and boat builders/boat supply manufacturers told me that an exterior enamel will work sufficiently. I hope so... Porter called me a "fool". With it being beat up on blinds, trees, and rocks I think anything will scratch. We'll see.

Day 44

Finished all the sanding and put a coat of epoxy on the top and insides. Since it is warm today I also sprayed all the glossy accessories with a coat of flat khaki paint. Once the epoxy is dry I am going to start painting the whole boat. 3 coats total with the last being a khaki flat duck boat paint from Parkers. From there it is on to camo and electrical.

I am still trying to make sure all the fuses/etc are right before I install the system.

Day 42

Sand, Sand, Sand, Sand...

Day 41

Well, Noah built his boat in 40 days and I didn't. But I bet Noah didn't have to cook, clean, cart a kid to guitar and soccer. I also bet he had a little help from the man upstairs. I tried to get it built in 40 days but I think it will be more like 60.

Finished all the fiberglassing last night and will continue the interior and top sand until it is passable. I installed the splash rails and rub rails today (rubber will be installed last). They need filleting and sanding.

I set the seats in and temporarily installed the motor to see where I need to set the rear seat base.

Getting close.

Day 39

Flipped her today and started drilling all the major holes- drain, fuel line, etc. I also routered and sanded the splash rails. It feels good to get her back right side up. Still need to do a little fiberglassing, sanding, and barrier coat before painting.

Day 38

Just finished putting the 3rd coat of Earthy Cane paint on the bottom of the boat. I will let it cure out and flip her. Then finish the top and inside.

Day 35

Finished the last of the sanding and epoxy barrier coating on the bottom and sides of the boat. The epoxy has 4 coats on it total outside. I assume it will be 5 mills thick once dry.

The yellow tape on the pontoon bottoms and at the bow bottom edge is the Kevlar 10" tape. It was hard to cut (3 blades) and the edges fray when sanded. I do not like the way the edges look; however, it serves a purpose and the bottom is not for looks but function.

I am working on the paint and camo colors still.

Next is to paint the bottom and flip it back over where I can finsh the fiberglass on the top and inside of the pontoons, sand it all and apply the barrier coats. Then onto top and interior painting and install all the electrical/etc.

Day 34

It's cold and my epoxy is taking its sweet time curing. Sanding where I can on the bottom and patching places I don't like. After it cures I will give it 1 more sand and a final coat on the bottom before I paint.

Playing with base colors for the boat. I have Earthy Cane gloss drying right now. After it dries I am going to sand off the gloss and see how it looks. It looks kind of green/light brown right now, not sure if I like it. I have also cut out the test stencils for the camo pattern. They are a mimick of Natural Gear.

Day 32 Part 2

Decided to add a barrier coat on the bottom and sides of the boat this evening. Sanded a few places then got started. I used a foam roller and poured out the epoxy onto the surface and rolled it in. 2 more coats to go and a few more places to sand in the corners that are not cured.

Day 32

Removed the excess and did a light sand on the bottom of the pontoons, then epoxied the Kevlar to the bottom today. Time to let it all cure and then do a light sand before the barrier coat is applied.

Went to look at the trailer today and bought it. It is perfect for the boat. Lights, bearings, bearing buddies, jack, bunks/carpet, and paint are all new. The only issue is that the guy painted over surface rust. Eventually I will fix.

Day 31 Part 2

Got off my butt and finished fiberglassing the sides. Tomorrow morning before I go and look at the trailer I will cut back the extra and do the sanding. Then the Kevlar and barrier coat.

Day 31

I finished taping the bottom and sanding all the areas the last 2 days and today I fiberglassed the bottom of the boat, front and back of the pontoons. Hopefully tomorrow I can do the sides. From there it is a quick sand of a few spots then onto the Kevlar and barrier coating.

After it partially dries I will cut back the edges and give it a light sand.


CAMOUFLAGE
I have been thinking about the camouflage and have decided on using the Natural Gear pattern. My kayak was painted in a marsh grass/leaf pattern and it looks great up close; however, once you back away about 20-50 yards it looks like a big blob. Therefore, I am going to go natural as possible and try to break up the shape. I will hunt out if it in the fall and winter so my base color will be brown instead of green. Hopefully up close or far away it will look like an island once the blind is attached.

Going to look at a trailer tomorrow... looks promising.

Day 28

Spent yesterday shopping for a few items. Today I started taping the bottom. Hopefully by tomorrow evening I will have the bottom complete with tape and ready to sand the edges. Saturday will begin the fiberglass cloth.

I also made 3 rod holders out of some old 1 1/2" PVC I had laying around. They are 10" long with a 4" x 1" slit cut down one side.