JEM Watercraft

I took a shot at creating a curved/single piece foredeck. I think it turned out well. I know some folks were interested in the process I used to do it.

1. Below shows the curve of the forward cockpit.


2. I used 3mm ply as it had enough bend to it. Below I stitched it into place.


3. Saturation coat


4. With stiches still in, I applied 4oz fiberglass. Note blue tape covering stitches. I did not go to the edge of the ply with fiberglass. I let it cure for 2 days to hold shape.


5. Removed the stitching and the deck from the hull. Note in photo below that it pretty much held its shape. It did flex back out a tiny bit. So I used some string in the holes from the stitching to pull the form back in a bit. I then glassed the inside with 4oz cloth.


6. After curing, I stitched the deck back onto the hull and fillet'd and sanded. Then I did another layer of 4oz cloth over the entire deck and onto the hull for bonding. The extra layer of cloth gave it the strength to resist oil canning. Final results below.

Very Nice!!!

That is really nice work! Wow. Looks good too.

Coogs

Looks great
Ron

That grain looks really good as one piece

Looks sensational. Nice work.

I finally finished her! This is my 2nd build. I learned a lot from my first build (tandem fishing sot) and subsequent use fishing. The most important thing I learned is that all the little details regarding weight add up quickly. My first build came in quite heavy. I'm happy to report that this one came in at 59 lbs even with all the accessories I added. That's 1 lb under my target of 60lbs!

Speaking of accessories, below are some photos of the features I added based on fishing my tandem last year and some of Mick's tricks.

I hope to get her wet for the first time one night next week and post photos.

1. Rear bulkhead for storing caught fish. This photo was from before I installed the deck & hatch. While this photo doesn't show it, I mixed epoxy and a new ceramic insulating powder developed by NASA (Insuladd) and painted that in the whole rear compartment. I'm hoping it will keep my ice/fish cold back there. Also note flush hatch in cockpit floor for storing tackle boxes and fish finder battery and circular hatch in front cockpit wall for more storage.


2.Drain plug in the stern for cleaning out the fish storage area.


3. Aft configuation inspired by Mick for fishing. Two flush-mount angled rod holders, a central vertical rod holder for either a net or gaff, and a flush hatch with flush handle/latch for access to the fish storage area. On the very bottom left of the photo you can barely see the RAM ball for my fishfinder/gps display unit.


4. I got a canvas/snap kit and installed a sheath to hold my pliers on the cockpit wall.


5. I installed two paddle holder clips on the cockpit deck to hold my Lip-Grip for nasty toothy Bluefish (they're wonderful to eat).


6. Following Mick's idea on a camera box, I build a box for my fish finder battery below decks.


7. Fishfinder sounder mounted below deck with foam/goop to hold it in place.


8. Screw in mount safety flag to help keep me from getting run over by the motor boaters. I've had a close call out on the ocean without this before.


9. While no photo of it, I applied several layers of graphite powder/epoxy to the bottom to help protect it.

How about a list of accessories?

Sure. Do you want me to note where I purchased them if applicable? Do you want me to post it here or email it to you?

anywhere is fine. I was more curious about how much the accessories weighed.

If you bought from competitors site that sell kits or plans, then please don't list the company.