I think I've fished the skiff enough to give some good feedback for anyone considering building one of these skiffs. Fair warning, this is a pretty long post.
First, a recap on the design and build process -- when @Chris Morejohn started selling these plans, the Conchfish 16 was the only one available. Following the original lines, I extended the aft section an additional 18" and flattened the curved transom. I also added the large radius corners. The 17.5 that he now offers should be extremely similar, but I haven't seen those plans so I can't say for sure.
Another deviation that I made was to the floor -- Chris's plans call for stringers and a sole, but in the interest of simplicity (and the perception of more freeboard) I went without any floor at all. I also wanted a large cockpit, but the result of those decisions was a huge unsupported panel (approximately 4ft x 7.5ft) on the hull. I also used H60 instead of H80, so I was concerned about core failure with too much flex. I think it would have been fine for a sheltered-water skiff, but I have to cross some open water occasionally and didn't want to have any doubts.
To eliminate the vibration/flex that I saw during testing, I had to add another layer of core and a significant amount of extra glass. I admittedly went overboard, but I'm pleased with how solid she feels. I took the advice of someone with some software that's geared towards larger boats in big water (1 meter wave height is the smallest option), so I'm sure it was extremely conservative (FOS of 2 and 90% core derating ). However, I like to have the option of towing this boat as a tender, so I did want to consider the possibility of large seas. DISCLAIMER - I have only built this one boat, and my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it. Do your homework. When in doubt, follow the plans.
Now that the background is covered... my thoughts and "review" of the hull:
I'm absolutely amazed by this skiff. She floats bonefish shallow even with 3 on board, but will squat when I'm solo on the platform (no surprise there). It balances well and floats pretty level with one on the platform and one on the bow. It poles easily and tracks straight, but I can spin the skiff quickly and silently to give the angler a better shot at a fish. She's also very stable, much more so than I expected. Poling is very quiet -- I don't notice any slap even in very windy conditions, and is also very quiet when staked out from the stern. Another cool fact is that the bow doesn't wander in the current when staked out from the stern. I didn't think about that advantage when planning the big radius stern corners, but it is really convenient.
She also handles open water very well. I have been pleasantly surprised with the ride and the performance of the spray rails/strakes. There is a little bow steer in following or rear quartering seas, but it's easily manageable. It would be even less noticeable if I had remote steer instead of a tiller. I can stay on plane at very low speeds, which is nice if I have my wife and toddler on board, or if it's a little rough out. I love the fact that this skiff doesn't seem have a "window" where it's unhappy between idle and plane. The 12x4 Bennett Bolt tabs are a little touchy -- I'm getting better at managing them but will probably cut them down to be a little narrower. At full down they are pretty dang sketchy. I can't think of any situation where I would ever need the full surface area of the tab.
Here are a few links for anyone curious:
Build thread (first launch is on pg 14)
First impressions (floor reinforcement and 50hp)
And for those of you that like numbers:
Any questions, please let me know. I'm really enjoying getting to fish this skiff, and I'm hoping to get to fish from Chris's Beryllium build this summer to help compare. I would recommend the build process to anyone, but it's important to be honest with yourself about your availability/schedule, your space, your wallet, and your ability. It's completely fine if you don't know how to do something, but be ready to make mistakes and willing to learn from them. You will absolutely end up having to do at least a few things twice (or more) in order to get it right. You will wince as you throw away $$ in the form of kicked resin and cloth that didn't lay down correctly. In the end though (for me), penny pinching and cutting corners will not be worth it. Allow for waste in both your schedule and your budget. My only complaints with the skiff are in areas where I was in a hurry.
It's also really beneficial to have a buddy to not only help with the physical work, but to talk through ideas with and to help bolster morale when things seem to be moving slowly. In my case that was @Lmhanagr -- appreciate the tremendous amount of help buddy! Also, don't underestimate the amount of information available to you online. There are several builds on this forum and on IG that are extremely helpful. Chris's blog has great info as well. There is a pretty great "community" of builders that should be able to either answer any questions you have, or at least point you towards resources that will help you figure it out yourself.
Feel free to request pictures of any specific areas if you're curious. I didn't get too much into the "features" of my boat since I wanted to focus initially on the hull design for those interested in building/buying their own, but I'm more than happy to discuss any/all of that stuff in the rest of the thread. I'm really happy with the design decisions I made. The only things I would change are construction-related, mostly things I could do to save time or make certain areas look a little better.
If you didn't feel like reading all that, at least read this -- @Chris Morejohn is the man. I'm floored that this is a home built boat every time I look at it or get to take it out. He's created an exceptional design, and laid the foundation for a build process that allows a homebuilder to make their own skiff that performs as well as or better than one pulled from a mold. Buying his plans was one of the best decisions I've made, and I don't think I've ever been more proud of something that I've built. I think that his designs are an amazing blend of artistry and engineering, and I feel fortunate that I was able to bring one of them "to life" in my own way.
First, a recap on the design and build process -- when @Chris Morejohn started selling these plans, the Conchfish 16 was the only one available. Following the original lines, I extended the aft section an additional 18" and flattened the curved transom. I also added the large radius corners. The 17.5 that he now offers should be extremely similar, but I haven't seen those plans so I can't say for sure.
Another deviation that I made was to the floor -- Chris's plans call for stringers and a sole, but in the interest of simplicity (and the perception of more freeboard) I went without any floor at all. I also wanted a large cockpit, but the result of those decisions was a huge unsupported panel (approximately 4ft x 7.5ft) on the hull. I also used H60 instead of H80, so I was concerned about core failure with too much flex. I think it would have been fine for a sheltered-water skiff, but I have to cross some open water occasionally and didn't want to have any doubts.
To eliminate the vibration/flex that I saw during testing, I had to add another layer of core and a significant amount of extra glass. I admittedly went overboard, but I'm pleased with how solid she feels. I took the advice of someone with some software that's geared towards larger boats in big water (1 meter wave height is the smallest option), so I'm sure it was extremely conservative (FOS of 2 and 90% core derating ). However, I like to have the option of towing this boat as a tender, so I did want to consider the possibility of large seas. DISCLAIMER - I have only built this one boat, and my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it. Do your homework. When in doubt, follow the plans.
Now that the background is covered... my thoughts and "review" of the hull:
I'm absolutely amazed by this skiff. She floats bonefish shallow even with 3 on board, but will squat when I'm solo on the platform (no surprise there). It balances well and floats pretty level with one on the platform and one on the bow. It poles easily and tracks straight, but I can spin the skiff quickly and silently to give the angler a better shot at a fish. She's also very stable, much more so than I expected. Poling is very quiet -- I don't notice any slap even in very windy conditions, and is also very quiet when staked out from the stern. Another cool fact is that the bow doesn't wander in the current when staked out from the stern. I didn't think about that advantage when planning the big radius stern corners, but it is really convenient.
She also handles open water very well. I have been pleasantly surprised with the ride and the performance of the spray rails/strakes. There is a little bow steer in following or rear quartering seas, but it's easily manageable. It would be even less noticeable if I had remote steer instead of a tiller. I can stay on plane at very low speeds, which is nice if I have my wife and toddler on board, or if it's a little rough out. I love the fact that this skiff doesn't seem have a "window" where it's unhappy between idle and plane. The 12x4 Bennett Bolt tabs are a little touchy -- I'm getting better at managing them but will probably cut them down to be a little narrower. At full down they are pretty dang sketchy. I can't think of any situation where I would ever need the full surface area of the tab.
Here are a few links for anyone curious:
Build thread (first launch is on pg 14)
First impressions (floor reinforcement and 50hp)
And for those of you that like numbers:
- With the 30hp, the skiff sat at 3.25" draft at the transom and 2.75"-3" at the bow (with cooler/gear but no anglers on board)
- With the 50hp and extra reinforcement, the transom was 4.75" but the bow sits at around 2" draft (same load)
- With a 240# guy on the bow and 160# on the poling platform, draft at the transom was 5.5".
- If they swapped (240# on the platform), the draft at the transom was 6.5"
- Hull weight before rigging was 430# (measured on bathroom scales)
- Top speed in a creek was 36mph with 2 anglers (200# and 160#) and cooler/gear. I didn't have a long straightaway to really let it wind all the way up, but it's close enough. I don't have a tach, and this is with the aluminum Tohatsu 15p prop. I have to barely touch the tabs to eliminate a little porpoising. I'm sure I need to tune some things as far as trim/height/prop, etc. I'm also getting a funny spray, I think due to engine height.
- Very comfortable cruise at 31-32 in light chop, and fuel burn seems great.
- My back deck is about 36" from the transom -- I don't need an extension with the Tohatsu multi-function tiller handle. Sitting further aft gives a more comfortable ride too.
- My front deck is a touch over 7 ft long. I love having the room up there. Plenty of room for storage as well (all life jackets held to the underside of the deck with bungees).
- Beam at widest point on deck = 75"
- Beam at waterline (@ transom) = ~56" (estimated due to rounded corners)
- Length = 17'9"
Any questions, please let me know. I'm really enjoying getting to fish this skiff, and I'm hoping to get to fish from Chris's Beryllium build this summer to help compare. I would recommend the build process to anyone, but it's important to be honest with yourself about your availability/schedule, your space, your wallet, and your ability. It's completely fine if you don't know how to do something, but be ready to make mistakes and willing to learn from them. You will absolutely end up having to do at least a few things twice (or more) in order to get it right. You will wince as you throw away $$ in the form of kicked resin and cloth that didn't lay down correctly. In the end though (for me), penny pinching and cutting corners will not be worth it. Allow for waste in both your schedule and your budget. My only complaints with the skiff are in areas where I was in a hurry.
It's also really beneficial to have a buddy to not only help with the physical work, but to talk through ideas with and to help bolster morale when things seem to be moving slowly. In my case that was @Lmhanagr -- appreciate the tremendous amount of help buddy! Also, don't underestimate the amount of information available to you online. There are several builds on this forum and on IG that are extremely helpful. Chris's blog has great info as well. There is a pretty great "community" of builders that should be able to either answer any questions you have, or at least point you towards resources that will help you figure it out yourself.
Feel free to request pictures of any specific areas if you're curious. I didn't get too much into the "features" of my boat since I wanted to focus initially on the hull design for those interested in building/buying their own, but I'm more than happy to discuss any/all of that stuff in the rest of the thread. I'm really happy with the design decisions I made. The only things I would change are construction-related, mostly things I could do to save time or make certain areas look a little better.
If you didn't feel like reading all that, at least read this -- @Chris Morejohn is the man. I'm floored that this is a home built boat every time I look at it or get to take it out. He's created an exceptional design, and laid the foundation for a build process that allows a homebuilder to make their own skiff that performs as well as or better than one pulled from a mold. Buying his plans was one of the best decisions I've made, and I don't think I've ever been more proud of something that I've built. I think that his designs are an amazing blend of artistry and engineering, and I feel fortunate that I was able to bring one of them "to life" in my own way.