Glen-L.com

OK, a question for those of you who have built or are building a utility-style runabout like my Key Largo:
I intend to install a traditional style ceiling (boards to interior of hull sides) and sole (floorboards), just like on the Chris Craft utilities like the sportsman. However, the gussets for those frames in way of the open cockpit will stick out, would have to be notched around. Can these gussets be cut back so they don't intrude without sacrificing structural integrity? If so, should they be made thicker to compensate for the lost structure? My thought is to make the gussets similar to the original Chris Craft ones, but made of 3/4" ply applied to both sides of the joint, not just one like Chris Craft did.

Thoughts, anyone?

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Griffin's Law: Murphy was an optimist.

Hi Peter.

Where will your soles be in relation to your stringers? If the soles are above the level of the stringers, the gussets may be a non-issue.

B.

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

You are so right... It's helpful to look more closely at the plans... I intend to put the sole on top of the stringers. I don't have my plans in front of me at this time, but I looked at pictures of barrelbacks in-process. It appears the gussets don't stick up much if at all above the tops of the stringers. There are some subtle differences with the Key Largo frames but the hull shape and construction are identical. The engine sits one frame bay forward on the Key Largo compared to the Barrelback, that caused a frame floor to be notched and reinforced to clear the prop shaft. And of course there are fewer deck beams... With such an open hull (fewer deck beams) I was concerned that cutting down the gussets would lead to too much flex at the corners of the frames.

_________________
Griffin's Law: Murphy was an optimist.

If you were really clever about it, you could design your gussets so that they could serve as supports for the outboard cleats that you will need to support your soles.

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

If I was the clever one? Thank YOU for being the clever one, a great idea and that's what I'll do!

_________________
Griffin's Law: Murphy was an optimist.

I am planning on building a key largo soon do you have any pictures of your project?

Sorry, I do not have pictures, haven't started yet... been restoring a fiberglass boat that my dad got when I was a kid, I want to finish it before I start another boat. I made a bigger project out of it than I initially planned, so it's taken longer than expected.

_________________
Griffin's Law: Murphy was an optimist.