PT Skiff - Hull #8

This boat is a PT Skiff by Port Townsend Watercraft.  It is a lightweight motor boat that has the unique capability to have water ballast.  This boat is built using stitch and glue construction.

Length:  18 feet 5 inches
Beam:  6 feet 2 inches
Displacement: 1379 lbs.
Engine: 25 HP
  • PT Skiff

    PT Skiff - Hull #8 PT Skiff

  • PT Skiff

    PT Skiff - Hull #8 PT Skiff

  • 7/15/11 - The boat is finally complete! The owner will fit it out with a 25 hp engine.

    PT Skiff - Hull #8 7/15/11 - The boat is finally complete! The owner will fit it out with a 25 hp engine.

  • PT Skiff

    PT Skiff - Hull #8 PT Skiff

  • PT Skiff

    PT Skiff - Hull #8 PT Skiff

  • The puzzle joints on panels 1 and 2 are glued and clamped.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The puzzle joints on panels 1 and 2 are glued and clamped.

  • The puzzle joints on panels 1 and 2 are glued and clamped.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The puzzle joints on panels 1 and 2 are glued and clamped.

  • 1/22/11 - The clamps are removed after the puzzle joints cured overnight.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 1/22/11 - The clamps are removed after the puzzle joints cured overnight.

  • Panels 3 and 4 are glued together.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Panels 3 and 4 are glued together.

  • The puzzle joint on frame 1 is glued togther.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The puzzle joint on frame 1 is glued togther.

  • The puzzle joints on the longitudinal bulkheads are glued together.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The puzzle joints on the longitudinal bulkheads are glued together.

  • Fiberglass cloth is laid out on the panels. The front tips do not get fiberglassed, only sealed with epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Fiberglass cloth is laid out on the panels. The front tips do not get fiberglassed, only sealed with epoxy.

  • 1/24/11 - The first fill coat is applied.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 1/24/11 - The first fill coat is applied.

  • The cloth is wetted out with epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The cloth is wetted out with epoxy.

  • The cloth is all wetted out.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The cloth is all wetted out.

  • #1 panels are laid in the cradle

    PT Skiff Construction 1 #1 panels are laid in the cradle

  • #1 panels are wired together and screwed into place on the cradle

    PT Skiff Construction 1 #1 panels are wired together and screwed into place on the cradle

  • #1 bulkhead is wired into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 #1 bulkhead is wired into place.

  • It looks precarious up there.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 It looks precarious up there.

  • Both #2 panels are wired in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Both #2 panels are wired in place.

  • 2/5/11 - Bulkhead # 2 is wired in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/5/11 - Bulkhead # 2 is wired in place.

  • The longitudinal pieces are put in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The longitudinal pieces are put in place.

  • View looking forward.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 View looking forward.

  • 2/6/11 - The starboard #3 panel is held temporarily in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/6/11 - The starboard #3 panel is held temporarily in place.

  • Both #3 panels are wired into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Both #3 panels are wired into place.

  • The boat is really taking shape now.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The boat is really taking shape now.

  • 2/7/11 - The transom is wired into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/7/11 - The transom is wired into place.

  • The piece on the back of the transom is temporary and will come off when the epoxy in the seams has fully cured.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The piece on the back of the transom is temporary and will come off when the epoxy in the seams has fully cured.

  • 2/10/11 - The #4 panel is put in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/10/11 - The #4 panel is put in place.

  • #4 panel is wired in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 #4 panel is wired in place.

  • Both panels are wired into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Both panels are wired into place.

  • View of the forward compartment.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 View of the forward compartment.

  • Many small parts are given a coat of epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Many small parts are given a coat of epoxy.

  • The side decks are fiberglassed for extra protection.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The side decks are fiberglassed for extra protection.

  • Ribs are installed on either side of the boat.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Ribs are installed on either side of the boat.

  • The transom reinforcements are installed.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The transom reinforcements are installed.

  • 2/13/11 - The port rubrail is glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/13/11 - The port rubrail is glued in place.

  • The starboard rubrail is glued in place. This is a graphic demonstration of the old adage,

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The starboard rubrail is glued in place. This is a graphic demonstration of the old adage, "you can never have too many clamps when building a boat."

  • 2/18/11 - The coamings and gussets are fit into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/18/11 - The coamings and gussets are fit into place.

  • Coamings on both sides, ready for the side decks.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Coamings on both sides, ready for the side decks.

  • 2/19/11 - Rubrails are reinstalled correctly.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/19/11 - Rubrails are reinstalled correctly.

  • 2/21/11 - The side decks are epoxied into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 2/21/11 - The side decks are epoxied into place.

  • The boat is lowered and tilted so the wires can be clipped and the seams glued.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The boat is lowered and tilted so the wires can be clipped and the seams glued.

  • 02/25/11 - Stands for when the boat is on its side are built.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 02/25/11 - Stands for when the boat is on its side are built.

  • The boat is tilted on its side. It will be like this almost until the end.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The boat is tilted on its side. It will be like this almost until the end.

  • 3/3/11 - Chine seams are taped in the forward part of the boat.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/3/11 - Chine seams are taped in the forward part of the boat.

  • 3/4/11 - The stem is filleted and taped.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/4/11 - The stem is filleted and taped.

  • 3/5/11 - The joints between the bulkheads are filleted.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/5/11 - The joints between the bulkheads are filleted.

  • 3/6/11 - The rest of the bulkhead joints are filleted.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/6/11 - The rest of the bulkhead joints are filleted.

  • View of the water ballast area.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 View of the water ballast area.

  • 3/9/11 - Floorboard glue cleats are test fit before being glued in.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/9/11 - Floorboard glue cleats are test fit before being glued in.

  • Glue cleats for the front seat and forward sole are glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Glue cleats for the front seat and forward sole are glued in place.

  • The underside of the tank lid is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The underside of the tank lid is fiberglassed.

  • 3/13/11 - The tank lid is test fit.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 3/13/11 - The tank lid is test fit.

  • The top of the tank lid is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The top of the tank lid is fiberglassed.

  • Close up of the edges that have been rounded over.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 Close up of the edges that have been rounded over.

  • The tank lid is epoxied in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 1 The tank lid is epoxied in place.

Click photo for slideshow of selected photos of part 1 of the construction process.

Link to full construction gallery.
  • The steering consol side pieces are attached at the puzzle joint.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The steering consol side pieces are attached at the puzzle joint.

  • The driver's seat side pieces are attached.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The driver's seat side pieces are attached.

  • Fiberglassing complete.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Fiberglassing complete.

  • Bulkhead #5 is fit into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Bulkhead #5 is fit into place.

  • Fillets are applied to all the seams.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Fillets are applied to all the seams.

  • Middle seat cleat is attached to bulkhead #5.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Middle seat cleat is attached to bulkhead #5.

  • Floorboard cleats are glued onto bulkhead #5.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Floorboard cleats are glued onto bulkhead #5.

  • 3/23/11 - The steering console front and top are attached.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 3/23/11 - The steering console front and top are attached.

  • The driver's seat sides are attached.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The driver's seat sides are attached.

  • The forward sole is glued into place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The forward sole is glued into place.

  • 3/24/11 - Doublers are glued into place in the driver's seat.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 3/24/11 - Doublers are glued into place in the driver's seat.

  • The seats are fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The seats are fiberglassed.

  • The last two pieces of the console are glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The last two pieces of the console are glued in place.

  • Overall view of the progress.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Overall view of the progress.

  • Overall view.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Overall view.

  • The top of the coamings are taped off.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The top of the coamings are taped off.

  • The coaming on the middle seat is glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The coaming on the middle seat is glued in place.

  • The coaming on the forward seat is glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The coaming on the forward seat is glued in place.

  • The aft seat is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The aft seat is fiberglassed.

  • 3/27/11 - The edges of the console are rounded and smoothed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 3/27/11 - The edges of the console are rounded and smoothed.

  • Other side of the console.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Other side of the console.

  • One side of the seat is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 One side of the seat is fiberglassed.

  • 3/28/11 - The console is fully fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 3/28/11 - The console is fully fiberglassed.

  • The driver's seat is fully fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The driver's seat is fully fiberglassed.

  • The underside of middle seat is fill coated.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The underside of middle seat is fill coated.

  • Glue cleats are placed for the aft seat.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Glue cleats are placed for the aft seat.

  • The cleats for the floorboards are fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The cleats for the floorboards are fiberglassed.

  • Overall view.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Overall view.

  • The middle seat is glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The middle seat is glued in place.

  • The underside of the aft seat is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The underside of the aft seat is fiberglassed.

  • 3/31/11 - The forward seat is filleted.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 3/31/11 - The forward seat is filleted.

  • The middle seat is filleted.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The middle seat is filleted.

  • The fuse panel box is sealed with epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The fuse panel box is sealed with epoxy.

  • 4/1/11 - The edges of the seats are rounded off and then taped off.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/1/11 - The edges of the seats are rounded off and then taped off.

  • The seat edges are covered in fiberglass for abrasion protection.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The seat edges are covered in fiberglass for abrasion protection.

  • The edges of the gas tank area are fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The edges of the gas tank area are fiberglassed.

  • The aft compartments are partially filled with foam.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The aft compartments are partially filled with foam.

  • 4/2/11 - A hole for line attachment is drilled.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/2/11 - A hole for line attachment is drilled.

  • Back seat edges are rounded off.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Back seat edges are rounded off.

  • Framing for the forward deck is put in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Framing for the forward deck is put in place.

  • Overall view of the boat.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Overall view of the boat.

  • A temporary deck piece is in place for a

    PT Skiff Construction 2 A temporary deck piece is in place for a "blind" fillet. Also you can see the first layer of floatation foam.

  • Glue is applied to the deck beams.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Glue is applied to the deck beams.

  • The foredeck is installed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The foredeck is installed.

  • 4/7/11 - The boat is right side up!

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/7/11 - The boat is right side up!

  • The fore and side decks are sanded.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The fore and side decks are sanded.

  • The upper coaming pieces are glued in place.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The upper coaming pieces are glued in place.

  • Ready for epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Ready for epoxy.

  • Halfway done.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Halfway done.

  • Almost all of the decks have been fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Almost all of the decks have been fiberglassed.

  • View of the finished coaming.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 View of the finished coaming.

  • The last two sections of deck are prepped for fiberglassing.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The last two sections of deck are prepped for fiberglassing.

  • 4/10/11 - The transom area is ready for fiberglass.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/10/11 - The transom area is ready for fiberglass.

  • Transom area is fiberglassed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Transom area is fiberglassed.

  • Topside construction is finished.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Topside construction is finished.

  • 4/17/11 - A stand is built for when the boat is upside down.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/17/11 - A stand is built for when the boat is upside down.

  • 4/18/11 - The boat is flipped over! There's a lot of sanding to come.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/18/11 - The boat is flipped over! There's a lot of sanding to come.

  • 4/26/11 - One side of the hull is partially sanded.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 4/26/11 - One side of the hull is partially sanded.

  • Close up of the bow.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Close up of the bow.

  • Overall view.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 Overall view.

  • A fiberglass rubstrip is installed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 A fiberglass rubstrip is installed.

  • 5/7/11 - The starboard half of the hull is ready for fiberglassing.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 5/7/11 - The starboard half of the hull is ready for fiberglassing.

  • The fiberglass is wetted out.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The fiberglass is wetted out.

  • The skeg is installed.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The skeg is installed.

  • The transom is saturated with epoxy.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The transom is saturated with epoxy.

  • The hull has been varnished and painted.

    PT Skiff Construction 2 The hull has been varnished and painted.

Click photo for slideshow of selected photos of part 2 of the construction process.

Link to full construction gallery.