North Carolina Sport Fishing Boat Build

By Dan Paul

Designed and built to reflect the look of a North Carolina sport fishing boat, I built this boat in my own small shop. I always loved the bow flare, transom tumblehome, and broken sheer line of these works of art. I call this model a mid-rider SFX as it has a significant deck area forward of the bench seating for four. There is a split helm with ladder back chairs and an armed ladder-back chair on the aft centerline which can be reversed for fishing. I cruise with it on Spring Lake and Lake Michigan.

The construction has two layers of 4 mm sapele marine plywood installed at opposing diagonals over white oak framing. This is joined by WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy and silicone/bronze screws. It is sheathed inside and out with 6 oz. fiberglass cloth set in 105 Epoxy Resin® and 206 Slow Hardener®. 105 Epoxy Resin and 207 Special Clear Hardener® was used on all natural finish wood areas. The paint and bright work are of Awl-Grip® marine products. The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction and WEST SYSTEM User Manual & Product Guide were irreplaceable references.