Decked L'Edge Conversion

taoslightning · Post by **taoslightning** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:03 pm

I'm looking to go topless with my L'Edge, love the hull but hate the deck. If anyone can supply some gunnel dimensions on their factory model I'd greatly appreciate it.

Also, does anyone have any experience cutting into rotomolded plastic? The way I see it, if I install ash gunnels first I can then take a palm router, with the bit's bearing resting upon those gunnels, and get a nice clean cut. I'm not sure how Esquif does it but the open L'Edges I saw at Gauley appeared to have been cut similarly.

Thanks.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:29 pm

As long as you don't cut it below this line you can put the gunnels where you want.

Basically the top gets removed sort-of as you described... I can shoot a few pictures of what the ends look like tomorrow and post them... or you can look at these...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6 ... 175affb4f5

It's raining here right now.

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:32 pm

Unfortunately it's probably a lot easier to install gunwales once the excess deck is cut away!

I'm sure you'll figure some appropriate tool and/or guide rig. Or just free-hand it and sand, what's the worse that could happen?

Keep us posted, it will be interesting to see more of the home-job quasi-decked L'Edges.

Pat.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:34 pm

I'm waiting for someone to cut just the stern deck off one Pat

taoslightning · Post by **taoslightning** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 11:52 pm

Craig, thanks for the graphic - I appreciate it. I'm going to install the gunwales directly underneath that top lip of the deck. What's the plastic, a 3/16 inch thick? If you can post those photos on this site, or email them to me, that would be great. Unfortunately my Lady does'nt let me have facebook .

Thanks again.

iRolled · Post by **iRolled** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:20 am

Me and louie just finished butchering his ledge, and it turned out alright. We took a jigsaw and cut in the topside of the deck. We cut (I cut) within 2" inches of the edge of the boat and the overal opening when we were finished was 6' feet. I thought that it was sturdy enough that it didnt need gunnels but ole Louie is dead set on putting them on nonetheless. I'd post a picture but I couldnt get it on here.

Craig, maybe you can help. They're on his facebook page.

cmnypny · Post by **cmnypny** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:40 am

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:37 am

I'd consider doing something just like that (but with a bigger front deck Craig!), but hadn't thought of lining the drill holes with actual eye-things - nice touch, and probably a very good idea!

For the gunwales are something I'd absolutely plan to do, but would probably never ever get around to doing.

Looks good. Straight-up jigsaw seems to work!

Pat.

Smurfwarrior · Post by **Smurfwarrior** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:41 am

I'm interested in seeing it after he dies it a darker color.

gumpy · Post by **gumpy** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:33 am

Boy that's fancy Louie! Now you need some fuzzy dice to hang from a thwart!

Smurfwarrior · Post by **Smurfwarrior** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:35 am

He should have hit those thwarts with gold paint, bling! bling!

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:37 am

Louies looks better than I thought it would... nice job.

Ahhh... the joys of customization.

taoslightning · Post by **taoslightning** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:42 am

Those eyelets have got to go, I'll post the series of my work when I get it done.

taoslightning · Post by **taoslightning** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:45 am

Those eyelets have got to go, I'll post the series of my work when I get it done.

funkidreadz · Post by **funkidreadz** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:57 am

This is awesome, just like in the old days of custom chopping Ocoees!
And I only have 3days to go 'til L'Edge time, whoop whoop!
Paddle safe
James