About the boat.
- It is a 20 foot standard with the following modifications to make it look proportional to a widebody with a cabin and hard top.
- I started constructing the saw horses mid October 2009 and the boat was in the water by about the end of June or mid July. I just can't remember exact dates.
- The crashbox and bunks have been lowered by 3 inches. Lowering these two items makes the bunks smaller and reduces storage space under the bunks.
- The cabin roof is lowered by 3 inches and has an RV crank vent installed for ventilation.
- The top of the floor is 2 inches above the stringers to accommodate the 37 gallon fuel tank and also keeps the floor above the water line.
- I built an upside down inside out rain hood in the front of the rear seat box large enough to qualify for "free air" vent rating in the fuel tank enclosure.
- The fuel tank enclosure is completely sealed off from the bilge and under floor area.
- The rear cabin bulkhead is 8 inches forward of station six.
- The shelves at the cuddy were narrowed a bit to widen the cabin close to that of a widebody.
- The hard top is lowered so the top of the roof is about chin height. (I am 6 feet tall) The best seat in the house while under way is standing, hanging on to the hardtop rear beam.
- The style sides on the cuddy allowed me to move the short hard top back about 8 inches to give a little more reward sun and rain protection. I will call it a 3/4 hard top.
- The rear seat box was installed mainly to cover up the fuel lines. Although it uses up some valuable floor space it serves as a nice safe seat for reeling in a salmon.
- I believe the 90 Tohatsu is lighter than any 70HP model available of other brands. It was also considerably less money than any 70HP I could have purchased. The 90 has lots of get-up and go with 4 200 pound guys and some gear on board.
- The boat is comfortable for 2 people to camp in and sits level with 2 people sleeping in the cabin. Coolers should be moved to the rear if it is raining at night to ensure drainage to the rear.
- For such a simple boat the touch of class comes with the $23 stainless destroyer style steering wheel.
Things I should have done different.
- Build a bigger boat.
- Slope the floor to the rear.
- Removed the plug in the fuel tank vent hose before completing the boat. It sucks trying to remove it later and you get gas in your face on the first fill.
- Don't put the radio antenna in the center of the roof. It looks cool there but will be in the way of canvas later.
- Don't follow the instructions when measuring steering cables. Just do what makes sense.
- Fuel tank further forward.
Still left to do
- Side canvas
- Top canvas
- Storage hatch on top of the rear seat box
- Cut some foam to fit the bunks
- Winsheild wiper (manual) I haven't needed one yet but the time will come
- Second battery or small honda generator.
- Vent screen in the cabin door
- Possably a bilge pump but I haven't had a drop of water in the bilge yet.
- 1 more down rigger.
Beautiful
