Built & Launched Registry
KATE
Candu E-Z · Mini Tug
- Registry No.
- BL-000005
- Hailing Port
- Middletown, NJ, United States
- Status
- Under Construction
Under Construction
- Builder
- Mike D
- Design
- Candu E-Z
- Length
- 15′ 9″4.8 m
- Status
- Under Construction
- Hailing Port
- Middletown, NJ, United States
Got to keep busy so why not build something with my grandson.
The Story
In the builder’s words
Semi-retired and as a hobby I like to work with wood, fiberglass, electronics and engines so the CANDU-EZ is perfect. I figure this project will take about 18 months and will bring years of fun with my grandson and granddaughter (who the boat is named after). The build is a WIP right now.
Builder Knowledge
Practical lessons from this build
- What I Would Do Differently
I would cut and position the hulls a bit differently in order to flare the top of the bow about 1-2 inches wider than the bottom shape.
- Most Difficult Part of the Build
I disliked cutting the longer thinner parts like the chine logs, rub rails and gunwales.
- Best Modification
I added a 12in deep box keel to mount the diesel engine low enough to have the shaft almost flat.
- Would I Build This Design Again?
I think one time will be enough
Build Progress
6 of 14 stages complete
43% 6 of 14 stages (1 not applicable to this boat)
Next Engine installed
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Complete 30 May 2026
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Complete 6 June 2026
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Complete 27 June 2026
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Complete 12 July 2026
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Complete 19 July 2026
Completed glassing of bottom and added stainless guard on bottom of keel.
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Complete 6 September 2026
Includes bow stem, rub rail, hull panels, gunwales
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Still to do
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Still to do
Beams, sheathing and covering boards down.
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Still to do
Coach roof, cockpit, hatches and anything standing above deck.
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Still to do
Filled, faired, primed and finished — inside and out.
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Still to do
Sole, berths, lockers, joinery and the fit-out.
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Still to do
Engine, wiring, plumbing, steering and controls aboard and working.
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Still to do
Spars, standing and running rigging, sails, oars or the outboard.
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Still to do
The day she went in.
The Build
17 milestones, in order
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MAY 2026
The Build Begins
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JUNE 2026
The start of the build
Prior to the start i had been collecting miscellaneous parts and reviewing the plans on Berkley Engineering which i ultimately purchased (CANDU E-Z). I also purchased laminating epoxy, 6oz cloth, biaxial tape, cloth tape and ACX plywood for most of the build. All fasteners that I used were stainless steel.
Before the build I also purchased a used Yanmar 1GM diesel engine, transmission, shaft, stuffing box and prop. I needed this to properly dimension out the box keel and engine placement
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JUNE 2026
The bottom & box keel
Bottom and Box keel sized to accept engine and shaft length I had. From the start I decided to stretch the plans of the boat length by 18 inches (I will also add 2 or 3 inches to the cabin height). The depth is 12 inches and the sides of the keel are canted inward 15 deg to make it more streamlined. The keel’s displacement is a bit greater than the almost 200 lbs the engine, transmission, shaft and prop are. There are 3 bulkheads to separate the compartments in the keel. At this point in the build i simply had a leveled 10’ x 6’ 2x4 frame on the floor of my garage to ensure flat build.
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JULY 2026
Completed glassing of bottom and added stainless guard on bottom of keel.
Completed glassing of bottom and added stainless guard on bottom of keel. There are 4 layers of 6oz cloth minimum on the bottom with 6 to 8 layers on all inside and outside corners (including 1 layer of biaxial/mat).
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AUGUST 2026
The hull takes shape
The bow stem was installed, hull sections measured, cut and butt joined. Then the hull sections were fitted. This was a major milestone for me because now visitors checking on what I was doing believed it was really a boat!
(Don’t mind the messy shop. Every week or so I do a cleanup…..most of the time).
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AUGUST 2026
Miscellaneous side projects
Along the way my attention gets drawn to some other related side projects. Here are a few;
Old truck air horn restoration
Shift / throttle controls
Name platesAfter restoring these air horns I come to find they work on vacuum , which a diesel engine does not have. I purchased an electric brake booster vacuum pump to run them.
Build Gallery
84 photographs
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