Quote from Christian on 7th August 2025, 10:59 pm

I don't have a definitive answer  for you, but I can share that I am planning to do something similar. My plan is to start with the GR plans, but extend the cockpit forward so that it stretches between frames 4 to 6 to allow for a second (small) row of seating. This idea is inspired by the old Nissan Z cars with 2+2 seating layout... 🙂 My hope is to maintain the look/vibe of the GR (including the transom well) while addressing my wife's request to maximize seating capacity.

Quote from josh on 8th August 2025, 8:25 am

Hi Christian,

Thx for your reply.

That´s a very interesting approach.

My Son had a similar idea for the GR plans. He opted to incorporate a hatch in front of the GR cokpit to provide room for fender and gear storage.

It might be possible to enlarge this space to incorporate small seats or a small bench. The problem I see with it is how will the boat behave in the water when you alter the balance by adding a passenger in front of the intended seating space?

Does anyone have any experience or opinion on this?

 

Regards,

 

Josh

Quote from Christian on 8th August 2025, 6:26 pm

Hi Josh,

I think the balance will be okay because the description of the GR plans says that its design is the same as the utility version below the water line. I take this to mean that the Playboy hull shape is sufficiently robust to accommodate any layout bracketed by what is shown in the plans for the utility and GR versions.

Interested to hear what others have to say, but that's my 2c...

Quote from Mike on 1st September 2025, 5:03 am

Hi Josh,

                I am currently about two thirds of the way through the Payboy MK2 GR version and I have chosen to increase the seating space between frames 4 to 6. This has resulted in enough space to have a rear bench seat at frame 6 and I have chosen to use two swivel pilot seats in the front. This meant cutting out the the top rail of frame 5. It has not been that easy, as I have had to make new floor bracing and rear bench seat supports and create a new dash board, but I am happy I did it this way. Have included some photo's. Incidentally apart from the Pilot Seats, I have done all of the upholstery as well.

Regards

Mike

 

Quote from d_seedler on 21st January 2026, 8:49 pm

Quote from Mike on 1st September 2025, 5:03 am

Hi Josh,

                I am currently about two thirds of the way through the Payboy MK2 GR version and I have chosen to increase the seating space between frames 4 to 6. This has resulted in enough space to have a rear bench seat at frame 6 and I have chosen to use two swivel pilot seats in the front. This meant cutting out the the top rail of frame 5. It has not been that easy, as I have had to make new floor bracing and rear bench seat supports and create a new dash board, but I am happy I did it this way. Have included some photo's. Incidentally apart from the Pilot Seats, I have done all of the upholstery as well.

Regards

Mike

 

Hi Mike.  I'm thinking of doing the same as you with this boat.  I'd really love to see your progress.

 

Thanks,

 

Damien

Quote from Mike on 22nd January 2026, 4:03 am

Hi Damien,

                        I can't show you where I am currently, because the boat is upside down, as I am getting ready to paint the hull. I have documented my construction from the beginning, but these are mostly video's which I can't post on this forum. If you were to ask Dan for my email, and sent me yours, I would be more than happy to share them with you. Please note Dan, I agree to allowing you to give Damien my email, so I can send him some video's

Quote from d_seedler on 22nd January 2026, 7:31 pm

Quote from Mike on 22nd January 2026, 4:03 am

Hi Damien,

                        I can't show you where I am currently, because the boat is upside down, as I am getting ready to paint the hull. I have documented my construction from the beginning, but these are mostly video's which I can't post on this forum. If you were to ask Dan for my email, and sent me yours, I would be more than happy to share them with you. Please note Dan, I agree to allowing you to give Damien my email, so I can send him some video's

Mike, you are a gentleman.  Dan, if you could do that I would really appreciate it?

 

Thanks.

Quote from d_seedler on 26th January 2026, 10:11 pm

Quote from Mike on 22nd January 2026, 4:03 am

Hi Damien,

                        I can't show you where I am currently, because the boat is upside down, as I am getting ready to paint the hull. I have documented my construction from the beginning, but these are mostly video's which I can't post on this forum. If you were to ask Dan for my email, and sent me yours, I would be more than happy to share them with you. Please note Dan, I agree to allowing you to give Damien my email, so I can send him some video's

Damien

Quote from Dan Lee on 27th January 2026, 12:24 pm

Hi Damien and Mike

For some reason I can't work out what your emails are unless you send me an email directly, it doesn't seem to be able to let me make the connection between your forum username and details on the website so I'm flying bling on this one. Mike if you could ping me an email then I will make the connection. 

Cheers
Dan

Quote from Stephen Keogh on 5th May 2026, 8:03 am

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum and excited to be here.

I’ve recently decided to take on a the challenge of building a “Playboy MK 2 Gentleman Racer” and would really appreciate any advice, guidance, or practical tips from those with experience building the boat.

I’m at the early stages right now and have the frames and gussets ready to start the epoxy process.

I’m keen to learn as much as I can before getting started. If anyone has recommendations for beginner-friendly plans, common pitfalls to avoid, or essential resources, I’d be very grateful. I have also started reading the “The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction”

Thanks in advance for your time and support—I’m looking forward to learning from this community!

Best regards,
Stephen Keogh

Quote from Dan Lee on 5th May 2026, 9:38 am

Hi Stephen and welcome to the forum!

That's an exciting time when you first get a pile of bits and start work. You've got the boat building bible there as well which is good, follow the advice in there and you will be fine. Also feel free to ask for anything on here and best of luck!

Keep us posted. 
Cheers 
Dan

Quote from Mike on 6th May 2026, 4:28 am

Hi Stephen, 

                     I'll send Dan an email and get him to send it to you, then I can share some files with you that document the whole process so far. My first tip for you, is once you have glued the gussets to the frames it will save a heap of time later, if you completely sand the completed frames and coat with two coats of thinned epoxy, before positioning any of them to the strong back.

Quote from Stephen Keogh on 6th May 2026, 9:07 am

Hi Mike,

I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to reply to my message. I really appreciate your generosity — it’s going to be incredibly helpful to have the files with your documented work.

I also had a look through the photographs you posted and I have to say your build is looking fantastic so far.

It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought and care into every stage, and it’s paying off. Thanks again and i look forward to receive both the files and any future updates—it’s genuinely inspiring.

All the best,

Stephen

Quote from Mike on 10th May 2026, 7:43 am

Hi Stephen,

                        Can you please email Dan directly and give him your email address and then he will be able to reply with mine.

Thanks

Regards

Mike

 

Quote from Stephen Keogh on 10th May 2026, 7:58 am

Hi Mike 

I have just emailed Dan directly. Thanks again! Really appreciate the help! 

Regards

Stephen