Weldcraft: Building "Great White"!

[Nelly]

Somehow, characterizing my boating affliction as "two foot-itis" doesn't quite cut it.

I can hardly be blamed though. Just one look at Weldcraft and you'll see what I mean.

Watching my new Weldcraft Cuddy King 280 go through the building process is a new and exciting experience for me. I'm very much looking forward to sharing that experience right here!

Before I get to the actual build shots, I've been playing around with a new graphics package. I will no longer be the "guy in the red boat.."

I'm looking for something a bit more subtle...

aGreatWhite2.jpg (38.25 KiB) Viewed 14596 times

Here's a side view with emphasis on the transom. Notice how the engine mount gets it's strength and support from the main longitudinal stringers. It's nothing less than an integral part of the hull. No "add on" here!

aNelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 001.jpg (51.64 KiB) Viewed 14595 times

Looking forward from the inside of the hull, I'm very impressed by the beefy floor support. Also, note the cutout in the port bulkhead. That's all about passenger leg room and easy cabin rod storage.

Nelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 002.jpg (49.09 KiB) Viewed 14593 times

Looking aft now, you'll notice the aforementioned stringers extending beyond the hull, into the engine pod. Also, the side height in this shot just blows me away. Without a floor for perspective it looks almost ridiculous but when it's all done, the 40" side height makes for a very seaworthy and safe boat.

Nelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 003.jpg (45.65 KiB) Viewed 14593 times

The business end: Just look at the entry of this chop cutter! We're talking a .250" hull with a 60-degree deadrise that transitions to a 20-degree transom deadrise and all that is surrounded by a reverse chine which is the source of Weldcraft's amazingly soft ride.

Nelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 004.jpg (46.7 KiB) Viewed 14593 times

I will keep posting pics as they come to me from Weldcraft 's factory in Clarkston, Washington where the Snake and Clearwater Rivers meet and yes, they know what rough water is!

There's over twenty feet of welding for every foot of length in a Weldcraft Boat. If I have my way, I
will be posting pics of the nearly two football fields of welds in this new Cuddy King 280!

[SCHANKER]

you have to put the shark teeth on it!! thats awesome!!!!

[Nelly]

you have to put the shark teeth on it!! thats awesome!!!!

...oh no I don't...

[NOFISH]

This is gonna be a fun thread Nelly....subtle, huh?

Make sure they put a forward bilge pump in her, the 24's and 26's seem to have a forward lean to them, depending on how many horses are hanging off the back.

[Eddy C]

With twin 250's how fast is she gonna go?

[Jeff Nance]

I love how you tied the Cannon logo into the head of the big fish.

[Nelly]

With twin 250's how fast is she gonna go?

Good question and I'm not sure but I'm guessing upper 40 MPH.
I've never caught a fish much above 7 knots anyway...

[Nelly]

Heavy metal work continuing on "Great White"! Today's update is a look at both ends of the boat and there is definite progress!

The engine mount area is in place and the guys are finishing the interior welding before the swim step goes on top.
Just look at that DIAMOND PLATE BADBOY in the foreground!!!

aNelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 005.jpg (52.94 KiB) Viewed 14378 times

Looking forward, more interior welding and the dashboard is beginning to take shape.

Nelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 008.jpg (55.46 KiB) Viewed 14378 times

I'll be posting more pics as they become available! The anticipation is just killin me...

[Nelly]

Things are moving fairly rapidly and I'm hoping to post a new pic of my Weldcraft each day this week.

Today is a small step for the build, but a HUGE convenience!!!
Look under the new floor structure going in and... Check out the tray extending into the engine pod... What could that be???

ANelsons 280 Cuddy 7996 006.jpg (55.61 KiB) Viewed 14138 times

That tray will hold a TEN GALLON Evinrude oil tank with an exterior fill. In other words, life with the low maintenance, no oil changes, 2-stroke E-Tec just got easier!

Instead of filling the oil every other time you fill the fuel tank, this new, under floor oil tank with a fluid level sender will allow me to fill the 175 gallon fuel tank FOUR times before I have to think about adding oil.

Since the new oil tank is equipped with a sender, I can monitor the oil level on a gauge as simply and as easily as looking at your fuel level. In my book, that's pretty cool

[J.D.]

Don't forget to weld a pick-up/thru hull fitting for a live bait tank. Lookin' good!