Gulf Explorer 16

Whether your into chasing Barra, Mangrove Jack, Reds, Trout or Snook, big boat attitude in a small easy package easily describes the Gulf Explorer 16 in perfect detail.
Truth be told, the Gulf Explorer 16 is simply a great all-around boat for fishing the backwaters/ estuaries and mangroves.

With her shallow draft, solid beam-to-beam stability, loads of storage and more space, the features of the Gulf Explorer 16 is redefining fishability ...at a price you will applaud.

As a plywood stitch and glue composite plywood design, the Gulf Explorer 16 has a large open 12ft x 6ft (3.65m x 1.82m) cockpit providing you with plenty of fish fighting room, storage areas in the aft compartments and also under the raised front deck.

With a large double console, with tons of room for electronics and the capacity for a 75 litre fuel tank for those long days on the water, the Gulf explorer 16 is packed with features that are limited by only your imagination.

SPECIFICATIONS:

LOA ……16ft (4.87m)
- BEAM ………7ft - 2in (2.18m) overall
- DRAFT/ hull only ………10″ (254 mm) @ DWL
- Deadrise at transom ...… 10 degrees
- FREEBOARD from designed waterline ..... 2ft - 1in (635 mm)
- FUEL CAPACITY ....... 18.5 USG (70 Litres)
- Max 5 Persons
- Horsepower… 70 - 90 Hp (max)
- Outboard leg length.... 20"
- APPROX DRY TRAILER WEIGHT including a 70 hp motor and a full tank of fuel….. 1172 lbs (531 kg )
- Construction …. Epoxy Fibreglass Plywood Composite Construction
- Safety standards in compliance with the ABYC standard
- Structure is engineered in accordance with ABS class rules

GULF EXPLORER 16 FEATURES

Just some of the features the Gulf Explorer 16 includes:

Sleek yet simple and functional lines
Shallow hull design for getting in amongst the mangroves and estuaries or fishing the flats.
Centre console (side console optional)
Side pockets for all your gear plus more
Front casting deck for lure fishing plus easy access to the front locker and trolling motor when deploying
Large 70 litre underfloor fuel tank
Large storage compartments beneath the deck for storage of gear plus a large kill tank when fishing
LEVEL flotation for compliance (we comply to the ABYC standards)
Engineered to "Class" or Commercial shipping standards for those offroad or offshore fishing adventures.
Easily handled by 1 person when trailering

GULF EXPLORER 16 CONSTRUCTION

Just about anybody can build a boat using the Bowdidge Marine Design Plywood Composite system. This method eliminates many members that ordinarily require fitting, fairing, and beveling. Thus, it's ideal for beginners. A jigsaw and drill are about the only power tools required. The resulting boat is incredibly light weight, strong, and durable.

This quick and easy boatbuilding method consists of plywood planking panels cut to shape from patterns in the plans which are "stitched and glued" together at the seams. Such a boat can be assembled in a matter of hours after cutting out the parts.

Build method in summary:

Build the strongback
Cut hull parts and assemble onto the strongback
Glue together and then glass the hull
bog, fair ready for painting
Roll hull over
Glass the interior
fit fuel tank
Install buoyancy foam for compliance to meet LEVEL flotation
Fit and glass the sole down
Install side decks and other optional fittings
Build the console (side or centre) and install
Paint the hull
Launch day

MATERIALS LIST FOR THE GULF EXPLORER 16

The following list of materials is approximate and intended for calculation of approximte costs. We offer no guarantees of accuracy.
The list is for all plywood in the construction of the hull, deck and interior. Allowance has been made in the quanties for about 10% wastage.
Resin and glass quanties are only approximate.

MARINE BS 1088 OR AB GRADE PLYWOOD
6mm (1/4") - 8 Sheets
9mm (3/8") - 12 Sheet
12mm (1/2”) – 4 sheets

RESIN AND GLASS (For coatings and reinforced areas)
Epoxy Resin & Hardener - 72 kg (19 US gal)
400-450gm (12oz) Double Bias - 70 m ( 76 yards)
2 kg (4.4 lbs) glue powder (Cabosil)
3kg (6.6 lbs) Q-cells (fairing Powder)

The materials list above covers all the supplies for the boat as designed.
Useage of materials may vary due to several factors. For example, a experienced builder will use less resin.
Our resin calculations are based on a 50% glass content.
Options, customization and variations within your build will also effect the bill of materials and outcome.

STILL UNSURE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE?
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GULF EXPLORER 16 LAUNCHINGS

With her shallow draft, solid beam-to-beam stability, loads of storage and more space, the features of the Gulf Explorer 16 is redefining fishability ...at a price you will applaud.

Easy to maintain and trailer, the Gulf Explorer 16 will provide you with years of family fun and fishing memories.

COMPLETE BOAT PLANS & FULL SIZE FRAME PATTERNS ...

Delivered by PDF with many extra drawings and photos. The plans have all the information you need to build your own boat. Each plan contains all the construction drawings for plywood composite construction, plus bonus drawings. Plus you will receive a DETAIL FOLIO showing how to make many of your own boat fittings, lists of materials and equipment, all technical information, numerous construction drawings, photo's and written building instructions, examples of the compliance info for the Australian Builders Plate/ European/ and US are all included. You can view & print the drawings in full or in sections. BUILDING PHOTOS are included in the plan package.
.... PLUS you can also subscribe for membership as an "INSIDER" to our Boatbuilding forum and ... become a part of BMD's boat building club !!

Gulf Explorer 16