Lee's Monaco utility build

[Roberta]

Looking Great! I know how difficult it is to do that.

Roberta

[mrintense]

Yes, redoing the interior of the hull is a major pain in the knees. The interior of your hull looks real clean.

[denbrlr]

Roberta/Carl,

Thank you.

Lee

[denbrlr]

I am almost done with my second coat of Silvertip encapsulating epoxy in the interior. I started working on the rear deck framing, carlings, and the deck beam that will be behind the dash. These are dry fitted for now.

Lee

[neel thompson]

Very nice Lee. The utility layout gives you a lot of room to move around. Get gluing !!

[denbrlr]

Thanks Neel I probably will wait to epoxy the rear decking to give me more room to work on the hydraulic steering (which I don't have yet) and mounting the rudder. I also want to wait so I have more room to install the fuel tank (which I don't have yet either). I foresee a lot of dry fitted parts before I have an epoxy party

Lee

[mrintense]

Building these boats is definitely an exercise in considering future requirements. Build parts but don't install them. How does this all come together. Will they fit later when I am ready to start final assembly. Been there, done that, and still doing it.

Thinking chair is your friend here. I always try to consider everything I can before doing anything that is permanent or difficult to undo. It does slow me down though.

[denbrlr]

Carl, I definitely do a lot of thinking. I think that is why I am so slow

The carlings are now epoxied in place and the fuel tank arrived. I also ripped the foredeck battens.

Lee

[denbrlr]

The position of relocated frame #5 deck beam is set now. The dash board will be attached to this deck beam. The notches for the forward deck battens are done and the battens are in position but they aren't epoxied yet. I am now working on the forward strong back.

Lee

[sshamilt@gmail.com]

That is looking real nice. What type of wood is that?

[denbrlr]

Steve,

Thank you. This lumber is south American genuine mahogany from Johnson's Workbench in Charlotte, MI.

Lee

[sshamilt@gmail.com]

I have never seen a mahogany that light before

[neel thompson]

Looks great Lee.... You're out in the passing lane now !!

[denbrlr]

Steve,

The genuine mahogany lumber I have used has had quite a bit of variability in the color.

Neel,

Thank you. I am getting there

Lee

[denbrlr]

Since I am building a Monaco utility, it looks like I will have to route the exhaust pipes in between the motor stringers. I would prefer to route them outside the stringers because I like the look of the exhaust ports being far apart on the transom. However, I can't think of a way to do that due to having a motor box and not a large (and wide) deck over the motor. I also am not excited about drilling big holes through my stringers since they are structural.

There haven't been very many Monaco utilities built. It looks like the ones I have seen have routed the exhaust in between the stringers except David Archer based on how apart his exhaust ports are on the back of his boat. He posted in the Monaco pictures area about nine years ago but I couldn't find a build thread from him. I am curious how he routed his exhaust. I could try a PM but I don't know his username and I doubt he is watching his PM inbox anyway. Anyone know how to get ahold of him or does anyone have any ideas? Please let me know. Thank you.

Lee