Fisherman 17

17′ CENTER-CONSOLE FLATS FISHERMANL.O.A.: 16′ 10″L.W.L.: 15′ 1″BEAM: 6′ 5″RAFT: 9 3/4″ Static, LadenSUGGESTED POWER—25 to 75 HPTYPE: Tropical and sub-tropical flats fisherman/guide boat, especially suited for bone fish, tarpon and permit fishing in the very shallow sand flats of the Florida Keys and Bahamas Banks. Also suited for river, estuarine and bar fishing, the hull will handle a moderate chop at high speeds.CONSTRUCTION: Cold-molded plywood/epoxy covered with epoxy-impregnated Xynole-polyester fabric. The hull is built of sheet plywood (3/8″ bottom, 1/4″ sides and decks) molded over five bulkheads, transom, apron and keelson. Longitudinals are cut from 3/4″ Douglas fir stock. Four-pound density closed-cell polystyrene foam is used in sealed compartments, ice box and bait well. All wood components are epoxy-sealed and epoxy-painted during the construction process. Final finish is linear-polyurethane (we prefer Dupont Imron).PLANS: Full construction plans (3 pages) include The New Cold-Molded Boatbuilding instruction manual. Although construction is straightforward, the boat is complex enough that perhaps it should not be attempted by the first-time amateur.