Townsend

[NZMike]

It's about time I posted this; finished her about 9 months ago but haven't got round to sharing.

I opted for the 15 1/2 townsend and I enjoyed every minute of the building process - although got a bit obsessed at times. Took a lot longer to build than I thought... 130 hrs all-up. Would have been a lot quicker if I'd decided to paint her earlier as I was going for the all-wood look initially and had fun matching the epoxy filler and getting it to behave in cold conditions.

I left the decks and hatches as ply (to show what might have been) and the gunwales are mahogany. Seats and yoke are cedar... In hindsight I wish I had used something a bit tougher. Bottom is graphite... thanks for the tip in this forum!













Extremely happy with the way she performs, very stable and heaps of room. Can't wait to get out fishing again soon!

[Graybeard]

Good looking boat! Hope you've had a good time getting her wet.

[NZMike]

Thanks Graybeard!

Yes had her in the sea and the lake and caught some fish already. The kids love playing around in it. Now making an outrigger pontoon to provide extra stability and to mount a 2hp outboard on.

[jem]

Nice!!

[OnkaBob]

I'm a bit of a timber finish fan but must say that a painted hull / timber deck combination is a striking combination and yours is a really good example. Combined with details like the scuppered inwales and cane seats she is an absolute beauty.

Guess we'll have to forgive you for holding out on us for 9 months .

Good luck with the pontoon.

[NZMike]

Thanks guys!

[NZMike]

Here's some photos of the finished pontoon/outrigger. Not the prettiest but a very practical addition. I replaced the cane seats as well... the span was too much for the cedar supports.

The pontoon height is fully adjustable and it only takes a coupla minutes to attach and remove the whole assembly. Two welded aluminium bars fit in-between the slotted gunwales and the spar is bolted to the underside of the gunwales with a removable bar - fixed with two bolts & split washer.

Very happy - she does about 8 knots on 3/4 speed with 2 adults, is exceptionally stable, and the lowest speed on the motor is the ideal trolling speed for a rapala or black toby! Looking forward to opening her up full throttle once the motor's run in.

Tip: Aluminium is essential... the wooden prototype was a disaster. It snapped, the motor ended up fully immersed and I went for a swim (long story)!

[olsnappa]

Wow!! That's a beautiful looking boat.
Nice work.

[NZMike]

Thanks John.