nitz

Thanks for all the great comments. My first boat and feeling pretty good with the results. Learned a lot. She floats!!!!!! Congrats! Looks like she is very well balanced. Do you have any idea of how much $ you put into the hull?

Very nice! Looks like all that sanding was worth it!

Yes, sanding,sanding, sanding Hope to get some final primer on this week Got the brackets primed. Looks like the same color as mine is going to be Fighting Lady Yellow.Made some dollies to move the boats around. Moved mine to the front to get ready to finish paint the outside. Looking great! Wish I lived closer so I could come see them.

Finally did some more work on the 233. Decide to go with a bracket and outboard instead of the i/o so I moved the fuel tank fwd. I also took you guys advice and did away with the foam touching the tank. The tank sits in a fiberglass box I made on neoprene strips. Also added a nice sized fishbox and some small gussets outboard of the stringers.

Finally did some more work on the formula 233

Any updates?

Pics?

Looks great! Keep the updates coming!

I'm going to make some seat boxes for the 233 formula. The passenger side one will have a built in cooler and the driver side will have tackle storage. Should I go with seats on small posts on top, or leaning posts w/ backrests? Here are some designs I found on the net that look good: http://boatseatboxes.com/ http://www.nauticaldesigninc.com/ImagesSept2007/LEANING1/IMG_0100_JPG.html

Scott, That would be fine. I think your products are really easy to use and save a lot of time. Unfortunately, I already have the deck boards laid up out of nidacore. Let me know if you need more pics. Thanks, Mark.

I'll call SP and order some neoprene today. The distance between the stringer and the chine is only about 20" (the stringer is wider at the bottom than the top), but I had planned on putting three bulkheads on each side anyway out of the leftover prisma bulkhead material and filling those cavities w/ foam. I appreciate all you guys advice. I work with composites all the time at work (aircraft), but this is my first boat project that is this involved.

Nice job! Send that pic to the SAMFC.

Bly, The tank comes right out. Before pouring the foam I wrapped the tank w/ release film. Then once the foam cured I pulled the tank out and removed the film. The foam is not actually bonded to the tank. The tank is just sitting in a "box" made of foam. I think I'll remove the tank, make the top of the foam level, and glass in the foam w/ one layer of 1708. Then I'll apply some neoprene strips to the bottom of the tank and set it back in place. I'll also put some neoprene strips on the bottom of the fir hold downs. Was there a certain thickness of neoprene that I should use? Thanks, Mark.

I went on a tour of the two Nordhavn's at the Ft. Lauderdale show. The craftsmanship and the design were absolutely beautiful. They thought about every little detail.

This is the method I used for installing the tank. http://www.bertram31.com/proj/tips/fuel_tank.htm The water can easily drain down into the bilge as there is a small void under the tank. I did not have tabs welded to the tank b/c w/ foam filled stringers there is nothing to screw them to. I guess I will glass in some fir pieces to hold down the tank. What if I pulled the tank out and glassed the cavity w/ one layer of 1708? Then the tank would be sitting in a fiberglass box. I appreciate all your advice!

I was thinking about bonding strips of Starboard to the tank right over the baffles, and letting the sole rest on top of that. Do you think that's a good way to go?

I've gotten some more stuff done on my formula. I am using these bulkhead panels from Compsys Prisma in Melbourne for my bulkheads and fish box. They are 2" foam core w/ 24 oz biax cloth stuck to them. You cut the to size w/ a bread knife and wet them out. They save a ton of time! Here they are installed: The compartment in front of the fuel tank will be the fish box. I installed the fuel tank. I first wrapped the tank in plastic, then poured foam around the tank. Then I removed the tank and cut out the foam in the area of the keel so water could drain. Then the tank fits right into the custom fitted hole. The tank is coated w/ 3 coats of coal tar epoxy. I also epoxied PVC tubes through the stringers for the fuel lines. Tomorrow I'll be glassing in the floor for the fish box out of some more Compsys panels.

Scott, I am using your bulkhead panels on my 233 formula and they are working out great. My wife picked up three more of them from you on Thursday afternoon. They are easy to cut and save a lot of work. On my next boat I'll definitely use the stringer system as well. Thanks, Mark Galloway

are you back in town yet? Any idea of fuel burn, cruise speed, top end etc... Thanks

Any performance #'s?

Auguste, My neighbor just went under contract yesterday on a 4bdr 2bth house 1900sg ft under air on a canal direct to the Banana River for 200k. It needs updating and landscaping, but has a new seawall and a dock. I don't think you'll find anything like that anywhere else in Florida. Good Luck with your search! p.s. Here is a map of the house he just bought. It is on the corner of Davis and Banana River Dr. http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&...1&encType=1 http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&...9&encType=1

Here is a place that carries it. http://www.minicraft.com/aboutus.htm. I have heard good things about them in the past.

Just build a box (female mold) out of MDF. Give the box a slight taper (opening bigger than bottom) so your humidor will slide out easily (also helps to drill a 1/8" or so hole in the bottom for air later). Then wax the mold w/ several coats of wax. Spray the inside w several coats of PVA mold release. Spray in your gel coat (let cure). Then start laying in your glass. Once it has cured use a blow gun and shoot a little air in the hole in the bottom of the mold and with any luck out pops your humidor. Good luck and post some pics!

Nice boat! That composite outdrive is pretty sweet! Is the transom assembly composite as well?

You also might want to check out Brevard County. You can search the MLS here at www.brevardmls.com. Merritt Island should have waterfront properties in your price range. There is good fishing here both inshore and offshore. The Gulfstream is usually 25 miles or so from Port Canaveral. Good luck with your search and let me know if you need more info about this area. My wife can email you info on the area and more detailed information. Mark.