2. DOCUMENTARY

"AYE DOCK" Boat Build

I decided to build a unique boat for my wife. (Diane) It had to be so special she would want to have friends over for a sunset cruse, conversation and a glass of wine. Here is the story of "Aye Dock." Aye Dock was given to the Veterans as a donation and sold at auction in 2018.
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  • The project started with one really big piece of tracing paper and a full size set of plans.

    The project started with one really big piece of tracing paper and a full size set of plans.

  • Would you believe. "Aye Dock" floats like a cork. Great design from Glen L and there help also made it happen. Diane was happy it didn't sink and wanted a ride.

    Would you believe. "Aye Dock" floats like a cork. Great design from Glen L and there help also made it happen. Diane was happy it didn't sink and wanted a ride.

  • The boat was finished in 9 months except for the electrical. Since this had never been done before it would take another three months to design and install.

    The boat was finished in 9 months except for the electrical. Since this had never been done before it would take another three months to design and install.

  • The cushions are in place and the boat is complete. It now has a name. My three daughter, grandchildren and wife decided it needed to be called "AYE DOCK" . It make sense for those who know me as there eye doctor.

    The cushions are in place and the boat is complete. It now has a name. My three daughter, grandchildren and wife decided it needed to be called "AYE DOCK" . It make sense for those who know me as there eye doctor.

  • The interior is finished and it does look like a boat is taking shape. For the first time Diane is thinking I might pull this off. In my mind I am wondering if the whole thing would collapse when we rolled it over on its side to turn it over.

    The interior is finished and it does look like a boat is taking shape. For the first time Diane is thinking I might pull this off. In my mind I am wondering if the whole thing would collapse when we rolled it over on its side to turn it over.

  • Starboard view of "AYE DOCK" the morning of the first launch.

    Starboard view of "AYE DOCK" the morning of the first launch.

  • I got my son-in-law with three of his weight lifting friends to move the boat off the stands. Another set of stands were made to place the boat upside down on to finish the hull.

    I got my son-in-law with three of his weight lifting friends to move the boat off the stands. Another set of stands were made to place the boat upside down on to finish the hull.

  • Would you believe it worked and the boat did not collapse. All went well. I was a wreck worrying about it. Diane was happy.

    Would you believe it worked and the boat did not collapse. All went well. I was a wreck worrying about it. Diane was happy.

  • Jim at Charles Sackett Repairs in Orlando, FL really got into the project of an electric boat motor mount. Without his advice and input to the plans it would have never happened. You meet the greatest people to help you when doing a project like this.

    Jim at Charles Sackett Repairs in Orlando, FL really got into the project of an electric boat motor mount. Without his advice and input to the plans it would have never happened. You meet the greatest people to help you when doing a project like this.

  • I used sapele mahogany for the decking to give an accent and a little character. Each piece had to be hand fitted and sanded into place. This is the bow section clamped down with epoxy to dry.

    I used sapele mahogany for the decking to give an accent and a little character. Each piece had to be hand fitted and sanded into place. This is the bow section clamped down with epoxy to dry.

  • The final console taking shape. This truly was fund and became a piece of art work.

    The final console taking shape. This truly was fund and became a piece of art work.

  • The prop and rudder are now in place. It looks great. The prop was made my Michigan Wheel. When I spoke to them about an electric prop they were taken back. They make electric props for curse ships that are 12 feet or more in diameter. How was I supposed to know. They took all the information about the boat and designed the electric prop. The prop is bronze and 12 inches in diameter with a 10 inch pitch. ( A 10 inch pitch means for every revolution of the prop it will move forward 10 inches.)

    The prop and rudder are now in place. It looks great. The prop was made my Michigan Wheel. When I spoke to them about an electric prop they were taken back. They make electric props for curse ships that are 12 feet or more in diameter. How was I supposed to know. They took all the information about the boat and designed the electric prop. The prop is bronze and 12 inches in diameter with a 10 inch pitch. ( A 10 inch pitch means for every revolution of the prop it will move forward 10 inches.)

  • The electric motor is now remounted off the mock up and into the boat.

    The electric motor is now remounted off the mock up and into the boat.

  • What you are looking at is what is called the outer sheer and the inner carling. They had to be level to hold the decking that was to be placed on next. The wood plane is my great grandfathers that I inherited when my father passed away. It worked great and I had tears in may eyes when finished. This was when the boat started to take on a personality and became a work of art and part of me.

    What you are looking at is what is called the outer sheer and the inner carling. They had to be level to hold the decking that was to be placed on next. The wood plane is my great grandfathers that I inherited when my father passed away. It worked great and I had tears in may eyes when finished. This was when the boat started to take on a personality and became a work of art and part of me.

  • I cut through two sheets of marine plywood at the same time so both sides would match. This was the concept the plans led me to believe.

    I cut through two sheets of marine plywood at the same time so both sides would match. This was the concept the plans led me to believe.

  • Once encapsulated with epoxy resin they were all butt glued together. It still dosen't look like a boat. I am now committed at this point and my wife seems to have some doubts. (I have never done this before.)

    Once encapsulated with epoxy resin they were all butt glued together. It still dosen't look like a boat. I am now committed at this point and my wife seems to have some doubts. (I have never done this before.)

  • I placed the floor of the boat on some elevated stands. This was so l could get underneath to stitch it together. At this point my wife was thinking I had lost it.

    I placed the floor of the boat on some elevated stands. This was so l could get underneath to stitch it together. At this point my wife was thinking I had lost it.

  • It actually worked. Both sides came together just like the plans said they would. I was glad Keith was around or it would never have happened. Diane wasn't sure this would be a boat she would want go out in.

    It actually worked. Both sides came together just like the plans said they would. I was glad Keith was around or it would never have happened. Diane wasn't sure this would be a boat she would want go out in.

  • When the fililt material was smooth two types of fiberglass cloth were cut to be epoxied over the seams.

    When the fililt material was smooth two types of fiberglass cloth were cut to be epoxied over the seams.

  • Now all the open seams had to be filled with the fillit material and sanded. Actually I sanded and sanded and sanded with my little Ryobi 5 inch orbital sander.

    Now all the open seams had to be filled with the fillit material and sanded. Actually I sanded and sanded and sanded with my little Ryobi 5 inch orbital sander.

  • More fillit material was applied to smooth out the fiberglass seams. More sanding and sanding and sanding. Diane was getting tired of the dust and her car was outside. She had no idea how much more sanding was to come.

    More fillit material was applied to smooth out the fiberglass seams. More sanding and sanding and sanding. Diane was getting tired of the dust and her car was outside. She had no idea how much more sanding was to come.

  • Keith and I had never fiberglassed this much material before. We were committed. We placed on our breathers and went to work as a team.

    Keith and I had never fiberglassed this much material before. We were committed. We placed on our breathers and went to work as a team.

  • One central rib was used to bend the plywood around so the shape of the boat would be symmetrical. The stern section was added with some difficulty but finally fit. Now it was starting to look like a boat. Held together with a prayer and MANY copper stitches. We next leveled and squared up the stern and sides.

    One central rib was used to bend the plywood around so the shape of the boat would be symmetrical. The stern section was added with some difficulty but finally fit. Now it was starting to look like a boat. Held together with a prayer and MANY copper stitches. We next leveled and squared up the stern and sides.

  • Interior frame work for the bow area was held into place with epoxy and fiberglass. The interior work would give the boat strength so ribbing was not needed. The plans said so. I believed them and move ahead. Diane wasn't sure.

    Interior frame work for the bow area was held into place with epoxy and fiberglass. The interior work would give the boat strength so ribbing was not needed. The plans said so. I believed them and move ahead. Diane wasn't sure.

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    It actually worked. Both sides came together just like the plans said they would. I was glad Keith was around or it would never have happened. Diane wasn't sure this would be a boat she would want go out in.
    When the fililt material was smooth two types of fiberglass cloth were cut to be epoxied over the seams.
    Now all the open seams had to be filled with the fillit material and sanded. Actually I sanded and sanded and sanded with my little Ryobi 5 inch orbital sander.