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By Jeffry Lord – Brisbane, Queensland - Australia

To Part Two

To Part Three

The initial hand drawn sketch, that I drew, of the Mangrove Jack.

Part One

Last year the better half and I decided that we would get a camper trailer and a small car topper. We both enjoy camping and fishing, so this was a logical step for us. The camper was sourced from E-bay secondhand, then the hunt for a boat, this terminated with the purchase of a Seacraft Ranger 3300. This is a nice little punt for VERY protected water, but did not handle the Burrum River or the local North Pine, even in moderate conditions. This was a safety issue and so the Ranger has been sold.

The answer to me was a V-Nose punt. I considered designing it myself, but lack the expertise. So seeing a couple of articles by Mark Bowdidge, I rang him and discussed my concept. Mark was very helpful and I visited him and his partner Debbie, with a very rough sketch of what I was after. The criteria here was a stable, lightweight boat which will handle a bit of slop and carry three adults in safety.

Parts cut out

Several weeks later (Mark had other designs on the board to finish), and several phone calls, for consultation on the design (not to harass the designer), the initial line drawing was sent to me. The hull was actually a V configuration with modified chines, this will allow it to sit right way up on the camper's racks, as I carry the Flip'n' Easy trailer and fishing gear in the boat when travelling.

Frames setup

The plans finally arrived and I went out and started buying the plywood (Pacific Maple), epoxy resin, fibreglass cloth, glue powder, micro balloons and bits and pieces. The boat only requires 7 x 6mm and 1 x 9 mm sheets of Ply, plus two sheets of MDF or chipboard for temporary frames, as it is stitch and glue construction.

The building stock has been built levelled, and squared up, and I have commenced cutting out the panels, and the four temporary frames. I have still to loft and cut out the two bottom and two side panels, for these panels, I have scarf jointed the four sheets, from which they and three smaller bulkheads and panels will be cut, This has taken a total of about 15 hours so far, with an estimated 40-45 hours to finish.

All stitched up

One week later the side and bottom panels are cut out, and all is ready to start assembly. Assembly started and the boat went from a set of temp frames and panels to a hull in one day, as can be seen in the pictures assembling the hull is fairly straight forward, as long as you have measured and cut accurately. Pulling the bow sections into alignment was interesting, but I later find out that the Pacific Maple I am using, is somewhat stiffer than the Gaboon Ply specified in the plans.

Used cable ties

Next week the intention is to do some work at my daughter's and turn the boat over and start filleting the joins etc.

Glued and ties removed

Mangrove Jack design by Mark Bowdidge is available at Duckworks.

 

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