THe Mangrove Jack 3.65

**Mark Bowdidge** · 4th October 2009, 09:46 PM

G'day Everyone,
The Mangrove Jack 3.65 "V" nose punt is designed to be a compact "V" nose punt. The requirement of the Mangrove Jack 3.65 "V" nose punt was simple. It had to be light, quick to build, easy on the pocket, and yet still retain its strength, seaworthiness and performance. The Mangrove Jack 3.65 , is built of Marine plywood Sandwiched in epoxy, and directional E-glass fabrics using the Stitch & Tape method, the overall design results in a stronger, tougher and more durable "Composite" boat, while still retaining its lightweight construction.

Last year the better half and I decided that we would get a Camper Trailer and a small Car topper. We both enjoy camping and Fishing, so this was a logical step for us.
The camper was sourced from E-bay second hand , then the hunt for a boat, this terminated with the purchase of a SEACRAFT RANGER 3300,. This is a nice LITTLE PUNT for VERY protected water, but did not handle the BURRUM River or the local North Pine, even in moderate conditions. This was a safety issue and so the RANGER has been sold.
The answer to me was a V NOSE PUNT, I considered designing it my self, but lack the expertise. So seeing a couple of articles by Mark Bowdidge, I rang him and discussed my concept. Mark was very helpful and I visited him an his partner Debbie , with a very rough Sketch of what I was after. The criteria here was a stable , light weight boat which will handle a bit of slop and carry 3 adults in safety.
Several weeks later and several phone calls, for consultation on the design ( not to harass the designer), the initial line drawing was sent to me. The hull was actually a V configuration with modified chines, this will allow it to sit right way up on the Camper's racks, as I carry the Flip'n' Easy Trailer and fishing gear in the Boat when travelling.

Jeff is now building his boat and he's sent us pictures of the boat so far, so thought as his boat progresses, I'll update this thread for everyone to see. You can find even more pictures of Jeffs boat on our website

regards
Mark Bowdidge
www.bowdidgemarinedesigns.com

The transom marked out, cut and laminated together

Strongback and temporary frames located in position

The Mangrove Jack all stitched together

Filleting the panels together

I hope you enjoy the pictures and his comments
regards
Mark Bowdidge

**Mark Bowdidge** · 4th October 2009, 09:53 PM

Here's a further update on Jeffs Build

Hi Mark.,

Here are some progress pics for you , sorry none of me as yet .
Every thing went reasonably well with all panels going up in 1 day , and some glue /bog mix applied, at the transome, and chines.

Next week end turn over and fillet !

Catch you soon ,
Jeff.

Stern quarter view of the filleting

Bow profile view of fitting and filling in the "stitching" holes

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

You can find even more pictures of Jeffs Build on our website
regards
Mark

**Mark Bowdidge** · 4th October 2009, 09:59 PM

G'day Everyone, Here's another update by Jeff

Mark,

Some more PICS of work done today, finished filling and removing unnecessary screws. Today's effort resulted in the hull being sanded and the chines ,keel and transome being glass taped. I was lucky enough to have a part roll of 100mm 200Grm Glass Tape which I used for this .
Also glued the floor doublers to the seat / bulk head fronts , note the screws will be removed and the holes filled prior to fitting.
Next weekend I intend to turn the boat and start on the inside, cleaning any glue runs and filleting the internal joins and if possible glassing them.
see you soon,
jeff

The cockpit sole bulkhead doubler

The transom now tabbed

The chines now tabbed

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

You can find even more pictures of Jeffs Build on our website
regards
Mark

**b.o.a.t.** · 5th October 2009, 02:00 AM

All it needs now is rudder, dagger-board & rig by Storer & it'll be a "real" boat !!

On a more serious note... it's a pity that physics doesn't permit an otherwise
perfect power boat to be a good sail boat. Or row boat. And vice versa.
*sigh*

AJ

**Daddles** · 5th October 2009, 10:48 AM

My favourite bit is the sexy curve in the tape along the bottom - it's the sort of thing I wind up with and seeing it on another's boat makes me feel all warm and fuzzy

Richard

**Mark Bowdidge** · 5th October 2009, 06:19 PM

G'day B.O.A.T and Daddles,

All it needs now is rudder, dagger-board & rig by Storer & it'll be a "real" boat !!

Crikey, don't degrade the boat.

Yes, it is a shame about the physics, but if it were possible, then every boat would look the same, wouldn't it ?

Its good seeing people send in their pictures, with "wobbly" tabbing and all. Shows it doesn't need to be perfect. After when the tape edges have been feathered and the whole bottom glassed, then bogged and faired, it should come up looking magic.

The main thing is ...He's having a ball building a boat that he wanted, when he initially approached us with his sketch to design it.
regards
Mark

**Mark Bowdidge** · 10th October 2009, 11:45 PM

Here's the latest update recieved today
regards
Mark

Hi Mark,
Today was the day. With my son Aaron who dropped in after work and with his assistance we turned the boat over.

After setting her right way up on the building stock , I fiddled around for 1/2 an hour making sure she was level .

The transome is secured and the rest of the hull is braced from underneath .

I sanded the resin dags inside first and then ran the workshop vac through the hull to clean out the dust. (DO NOT USE THE WIFE'S HOUSE VAC ON PAIN OF DEATH)

I have now done 1 run through the hull inside and filleted the joins.tomorrow these will be sanded and a 2nd fillet done to fill any small holes /gaps I may have missed, then glass tape the joins inside.

Catch you soon,
Jeff

**Mark Bowdidge** · 9th December 2009, 10:15 AM

G'day Everyone,
I've been a bit slack lately, not keeping up with posting Jeffs Progress photo's, so I thought I'd better load up the latest

regards
Mark

Mark ,
Well the 4 side pockets have been fitted , these have been coved and glassed in.
The front floor similarly has been screwed and glued in , then coved and glassed.
The boat was moved out of the carport and turned over ( 2 persons to move out , 1 to turn over and put back in).
The hull was checked for unfilled screw holes and then sanded down, ready for glassing , this was all done on Saturday.

Sunday , started`at 8 am and starting at the stern I glassed the bottom , then did the sides and transom .

Paint has been ordered and will arrive next week I hope, then it's , sand, fair, undercoat and paint .

Hopefully finished before we go away, to Burrum Heads.

cheers,

Jeff

**Mark Bowdidge** · 24th December 2009, 06:41 AM

G'day Everyone,
Here's a few more pictures that Jeff as sent across. He reckon's he's got around 3 more days of painting etc to do before launch day

You can find more pictures on our website of his build under "Latest News"
Have fun
regards
Mark

Hi Mark,
Well top coat is going on, exterior has`2 coats and undercoat and 1 inside, I have not started the PORT WINE trim as`yet.
I intend to do 2 coats on the outside , then do the Trim, the paint being used is NORGLASS Single pack Enamel and whit undercoat / primer. The undercoat goes off very quickly and can be recoated after 2 hours, the top coat nearly as fast, but recoat in 12-16 hours. To apply all paint on the boat I have used a 110mm Roller, and found that it was easy and fast , with covers costing only $1.00 or so each. So are not worth cleaning ..
The boat still has to have 2 coats on the bottom, and alloy strip screwed on down keel , and another on the sides and transom.
The boat is registered and HIN number issued ( can be done when getting rego done) .

Cheers ,
Jeff

**Mark Bowdidge** · 24th December 2009, 09:55 PM

Crikey, What a day!!. We've had pictures coming to us left right and centre from various clients and their latest build pictures. Jeff just sent these in
regards
Mark

Hi Mark,

Here are some Pics of the final colour scheme, looks good I took your advice about the stripe.
Still have to do the bottom and a couple of touch ups.

Then put on the Rego number and fitting, and off to Burrum Heads for the week.

Christmas at the Inlaws tomorrow, so being christmas day no boat work.

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR,.

Jeff

**Mark Bowdidge** · 31st December 2009, 08:56 AM

G'day all,
Just got a couple of new pictures of Jeffs Mangrove Jack. It's about to be launched (well, by now it probably is as their now on holidays) As soon as they get back, jeffs going to send in launching pictures and also taking some video footage of it on the water. (Something I'm keen to see

)
He named the boat MJ1 (short for mangrove Jack 1) being that it's the first to hit the water
regards
Mark

**Mark Bowdidge** · 2nd January 2010, 10:04 AM

I just received this morning more pictures of Jeff's Mangrove Jack 3.65, so I thought I'd post them up for everybody
regards
Mark
www.bowdidgemarinedesigns.com

Hi Everyone,
we have successfully loaded the boat onto the camper trailer, The 2 handles (which double as steps) on the STERN, made the task very easy. Sue is not able to lift weight , but we had no problem getting the boat up.
Also the wheels at the stern were invaluable and allow me to move the boat around , with minimial effort and no damage to the hull.
The Stern wheels were fabricated from 2 165mm X 35mm mower wheels and some Steel from the scrap bin, with some Aluminium Angle for the mounting brackets.
The brackets are through bolted (stainless steel fastenings) with plates ( aluminium) in side the hull for strength , and beded with epoxy resin.
The wheels are removeable for when the boat is in the water, all very light and easily fitted and removed. when time allows I will be replacing the steel with box section alloy.
Regards
Jeff

**vk4** · 11th September 2011, 09:23 PM

I know this thread has been inactive for a while,.
I am the builder of the first MANGROVE JACK 3.65MT , .

The boat is now well and truly finished , and it performs to all my expectations, .

The boat is fitted with a 10Hp 2stroke Tohatsu , and with 2 up and fishing gear , the boat gets 28Km(18knots) an hour flat out, not bad for a small motor on a small hull.

The boat is stable , handles wash well , does not pound , and gives a smooth ride , we have plenty of room in the boat , for 2 adults to fish and the swivel seats make it comfortable when sitting for a couple of hours fishing.

All in all a very neat , comfortable and sea kindly hull.

Cheers ,

Jeff
vk4

**b.o.a.t.** · 11th September 2011, 10:17 PM

Good job on a nice looking design.
Would love to see some pics / video of her on the water.
cheers
AJ

**vk4** · 11th September 2011, 10:34 PM

AJ,

There is a video on Marks web site, and yes she is a sweet little hull.

If you cannot find the Video , I may be able to send it to you , as i have it on my computer,.

Jeff
vk4

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