FLATFISH - Has anyone built one yet?

[Eric Villarreal]

I am in the process of building the Flatfish and would like to get some building opinions, comments and general discussion. Also, if you know of someone that may be willing to sell the molds...

[paladin]

http://www.havenbuilders.com/flyon1.html

[Steve Paskey]

Joe Youcha built the first Flatfish for his father. Joe's a really nice guy who lives for wooden boats, and he would probably be happy to share his thoughts and comments.

Joe is now director of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation. Contact info here:
http://www.alexandriaseaport.org/contact.htm

[Carlsboats]

Have not built the Flatfish but am just completing the hull of a very similar boat -- a 19 footer that closely follows that Herreshoff/Joel White model.
For my boat, I chose to go with composite wood
construction --a strip-planked (white cedar) first layer, edge nailed and glued, plus two layers of 1/8" spanish cedar (cedrela), laid diagonally, epoxied in place with plastic staples. I built her with 10 stations, Herreshoff style with oak frames bent directly onto the molds.
I couldn't be happier with the result. Lots of time spent planking, yes, but the hull came out
beautifully fair and smooth, with minimum time spent to fair it. It's strong and light, and (I hope) watertight. Can't see a seam or joint anywhere.
Now it's on to building birdsmouth spruce spars.
I would let you use my molds, but even if you respaced them they wouldn't qthey are not

[Carlsboats]

Have not built the Flatfish but am just completing the hull of a very similar boat -- a 19 footer that closely follows that Herreshoff/Joel White model.
For my boat, I chose to go with composite wood
construction --a strip-planked (white cedar) first layer, edge nailed and glued, plus two layers of 1/8" spanish cedar (cedrela), laid diagonally, epoxied in place with plastic staples. I built her with 10 stations, Herreshoff style with oak frames bent directly onto the molds.
I couldn't be happier with the result. Lots of time spent planking, yes, but the hull came out
beautifully fair and smooth, with minimum time spent to fair it. It's strong and light, and (I hope) watertight. Can't see a seam or joint anywhere.
Now it's on to building birdsmouth spruce spars.
I would let you use my molds, but even if you respaced them they wouldn't quite give you a Flatfish. They would, instead, give you a stretched version of the Block Island 19.

[Eric Villarreal]

Gents, thank you for the response. I have contacted some Flat Fish builders and have received nothing but praise on the design. I have started lofting on some painted plywood and I am on my way to building the molds. Any suggestions on the molds, I was thinking of using particle wood since I will be strip planking.

[Art Read]

I'd advise against particle board for anything but rough patterns or perhaps a sub floor for your lofting. You're gonna be TOUGH on your molds. Even with strip construction. Wanna use any edge fastenings? Forget it with particle. Use cheap, "white", dimensional lumber, (1 x 6") from the box stores, or some cheap exterior grade plywood if you must. The cost difference is infinitesimal in the coarse of project such as you're considering, and you'll thank me in the long run. Trust me.

[Eric Villarreal]

Thanks for the advise. I agree, the cost difference isn't much. I was considering particle wood because of the dimensional stability since it is somewhat of an isotropic material but it is not strong when you start applying tensile forces to it such as screws etc... ...similar to concrete..

[flyon]

For the molds of my Flatfish I used 1/2 inch cdx plywood and then screwed 1X6 construction grade fir to the edge to come up with 1 1/4 wide molds. the molds are stable and I have the edge of the 1X6 to clamp to when laminating the frames. Since I am taking so long build my boat the plywood has helped out a great deal in maintaining the molds in a usable condiction. If all goes according to plan I will be back boat building in September.
Eric it is cool to have another builder here in So Cal. :cool:

[abe]

Builder - Drew Maples, Brooklin Maine - White/Herreshoff Flatfish

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid108/p6f058f11d848f7fed09745f1732a36fd/f948bdf9.jpg

Photo taken at Maine Boatbuilders Show, March 2004

Edit to correct spelling

[ 08-07-2004, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: abe ]

[Eric Villarreal]

Fred, I agree it is way cool to have another builder in So Cal to consult with.... .....

Abe, thanks for that great picture! Has this boat been launched? or is it still under construction? What ever the state it looks GREAT now I am really inspired to put in some overtime tonight!

Do you have any other pics with a different view?

I am off to my lofting.... see ya smile.gif

[abe]

Eric, I do not have another photo nor am I aware of the current status of the boat.

Steven Bauer took many pictures at the show and he may have a different view. Will check with him.

I will be in Brooklin in a few weeks and will check with the school as Drew Maples is an instructor in the Haven Class.

http://www.woodenboat.com/school/04haven.htm

[imported_Steven Bauer]

Hey guys, I just got back from the Eggemoggan Reach Regatta, great fun. I don't think I got any pictures of her back in March but here's the album if you want to browse through it - Maine Boatbuilders Show '04 (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287393559)

Steven

[Eric Villarreal]

Great pics Steven, thaks for sharing. I am thinking about flying in to see the next boat show and hopefully see a Flat Fish, they don't have many wooden boat shows that I am aware of in Los Angeles.... When will the next be?

Eric

[Doug Wood]

Eric - the link below is to a pro builder (very gifted IMO) in Portland, Maine by the name of Chip Flanagan. The Flatfish he built a couple years ago is on his home page but you'll get a chance to see some construction photo's by clicking on the "Shop Projects" tab and then the "Flatfish Sloop" link. Enjoy...

web page (http://www.chipboat.com/)

[Hal Forsen]

Don't know of any wood boat shows in LA but there is one in SD that happened recently; you can see pics and a short story at http://www.smallboatforum.com/PDFfiles/SanDiegoWoodenBoatFestival.pdf

HF

[Eric Villarreal]

Thanks Hal, I was also able to find a Wooden Boat racing series through Marina Sailing, I think they have it every Thursday in Newport, Ca.
I will keep a look out for a Flatfish

[Eric Villarreal]

Thanks Hal, I was also able to find a Wooden Boat racing series through Marina Sailing, I think they have it every Thursday in Newport, Ca.
I will keep a look out for a Flatfish