FS17 Boat STUDY
FS17 Boat STUDY
FS17 Boat STUDY
SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Options ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Low sheer version: ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Builder Threads on our Forum .............................................................................................................................................. 6
BUILDING METHOD ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
REQUIRED SKILLS ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
BILL OF MATERIALS ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
MORE ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
LICENSE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
BUILDING STANDARDS ................................................................................................................................................. 9
PLANS PACKING LIST ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
The design goal was a capable small skiff in the style of the
Simmons Sea Skiff. The boat had to be economical and
simple to build, in the spirit of our OD16 and OD18, with the
same seagoing capability. The building procedure being
identical to the FS12, FS14 and FS18. Starting with a sketch
posted by one of our forum users (thank you Chris Harris), we
designed the FS17. Our builders like to customize their boats
and we kept that in mind during the design.
In all versions, the sole is well above the waterline and the cockpit is self-draining. Note the high designed
displacement: it places the waterline just below the cockpit sole at level trim. Most FS17 will never be loaded to
that point and their draft will be less than the 7" listed.
During the design, our message board had some very active discussions about the Simmons Sea Skiffs, and I
couldn't help comparing them to our new design. We wanted at least the same offshore capability as the
Simmons Sea Skiff and with the design complete, we can guarantee that our FS17 is a more able boat.
The FS17 offers great flexibility in layout. You can build her simple or sophisticated. Below are some layout
examples.
The open layout is perfect to use as a work boat with tiller steering.
There is more: the sides can be raised an extra 6" if you want. Read
about the options further down.
Options
Several of the options were mentioned above, but a very important point is that you can combine features to
customize your boat.
The building notes list which components are absolutely required like sole, motor well bulkhead and forward
frame but also explains how all the options fit together. Here is a list of some of the options described in the
plans and notes:
For those who want to turn the FS17 in a small bay boat, we include drawings and dimensions for a low sheer
version. See our tech. support forum for pictures of that version: larger casting deck, styled as a flats boat but
with an offshore capable hull.
tech_support - FS17 low sheer - Florida, U.S.A. tech_support - Completed FS17 - Florida, USA
The FS17 is built the same way as the FS12, FS14 and
FS18. The hull is assembled upside on a very simple jig
made from a pair of 2x6's.
The notes cover every step of the building in details with many pictures and drawings.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Visit our forum, help pages, tutorial pages and read our FAQ: most questions are answered there.
LICENSE
As with all our plans, you have the right to build one boat from those plans. The designer holds the
copyright to the design, and you purchase a license to build one boat. If you plan to build more than one
boat, please contact us about licensing fees.
BUILDING STANDARDS
These plans were drafted according to the ABYC rules. The ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council)
defines the boat building standards in collaboration with the USCG.
Professional builders may be subject to more requirements. Consult the designer.
The ABYC standards are very close to the ISO norms and CEE requirements but no European certification
was applied for since this is not required for amateur boat building in Europe. CEE/ISO certification is
available to professional builders for a fee.
D284_2 Nesting
D284_5 Construction
B284_6 Details