Boats?

[MATT HASSMER]

Has Anyone Ever Tried To Build Their Own Boat? There Are Several Companies Offering Plans (& Some Offering Materials In Addition) On The Net. Has Anyone Tried To Do This?

[Ed Falis]

I have a kayak hull built with wood-strips from plans, that's been sitting in the basement waiting to be resumed for 5 years. Probably get back to it after I finish the kitchen cabinet project. (Like next winter).

[Art Kelly]

See Grumbine's website: http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/

[John Hain]

I built a little 8 foot jonboat a couple years ago. What type of boat are you interested in building?

[Gary Kvasnicka]

I built this last year, it took approx 250 hours including milling the strips (bead and cove). I enjoyed every minute of it, so much so, I have the lumber and plans for a smaller one, for my daughter.

Check out this website, lots of pictures, and instruction. If you have any questions on Kayak building, PM me I will be happy to answer what I can.
http://www.oneoceankayaks.com

[Tyler Howell]

Creeker Dave Richards built a fine sailing craft. He is not very active now but has a lot of threads if you do a search on his name.

[Joseph Peacock]

Cool.I have never seen a homemade boaat before.

[David Schnegg]

There are a lot of people that have built their own boats. From Kayaks to Yachts...

I bought plans for the following boat:
http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=PH18


The following site has many plans available for all kinds of boats:
http://www.bateau.com/

Another very good site for boat plans is:
http://glen-l.com/

Here's an amazing example of what you can build... with enough money and patience:
http://glen-l.com/picboards/picboard15/pic744a.html

[MATT HASSMER]

were the plans you got from bateau.com already lofted?

[Robert Fordham]

I have build two boats from Bateau.

Their method is Stich and glue and there is no lofting required for their boats.

Do not go cheap on you wood, glue, or paint selections. All the worry and sweat and money you put into these projects will rot away after 5 years if you go cheap.

These boats need to be maintained, fresh paint every few years, fix any scratches in epoxy coatings, etc.

My first boat is delaminating due to cheap luan from HD.

My second boat was made fom BS1088 marine ply, covered in FG and is still strong. I have made several repairs from trailer damage.

If the total boat costs $2,000 to build and the wood cost is $400 = 20% why try to save $100 by getting cheap ply? Your $2000 investment will fall apart over time.

When you add your labor cost ( many hours ) that $100 savings will appear rediculous.

[Kurt Loup]

Here are a few canoes and kayaks I have built. You can't stop at one.

Kurt


Carrying Place Canoes Chemaunis


Outer Island


Squeedunk Cormorant


Northwest Canoes Merlin

[MATT HASSMER]

wow. i didn't realize their boats needed that kind of maintanence; even with quality materials. you have to paint it every few years? do you just paint over the old paint + any crack/abrasion repairs? i may do better rehabing a used hull. i like the look of the Manatees & have seen some on ebay.

[MATT HASSMER]

[quote=Robert Fordham;807297]
These boats need to be maintained, fresh paint every few years, fix any scratches in epoxy coatings, etc.

quote]
Robert,

do they really need to be maintained like this if they are encapsulated in fiberglass? what is their structural strength like since there isn't a stem & ribbing, per se?

[MATT HASSMER]

i would like to build a 16' to 19' v-bottom center console. i've seen some plans that i like on bateau.com. one the posts above was for a site where a gentleman used luan from local hardware store. on his site, he mentioned a delamination that occurred which i have been told is a result of voids in standard plywood as opposed to little or no voids in marine plywood. marine ply is really espensive & i was kinda looking for some other alternatives; i guess you get what you pay for. i did find an inexpensive marine ply, but there is no distributor in my area & therefore raises the price (adding shipping) to that of the more costly alternatives. i live 1.5 hrs away from hampton/norfolk which is a major shipbuilder area, but i could not find any inexpensive materials available. right now, i'm only doing research & i still have to convince my wife on this venture.

[Jim Creech]

I have built a number of small craft and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. As a matter of interest, SMC founder Ol' Keith has asked me to moderate a boatbuilding forum which I will in all probabilty do.