wanting to build a boat

[WoOdChUk]

hi there, i have been woodworkin for about 1yr now, and am wanting to start on a big project, a boat. I am looking to build a dingy kind, or anything small, for just rowing along in lakes, or possibly putting a sail on it. If anyone has any easy plans to build a 2-4 man boat plans, please post below or send me a message. I dont really know if im breaking any rules posting like this, not sure as i just registered, thank again

[jow104]

Woodchuck, welcome to the forum, I, sure someone will be along later, bearing in mind time zone differences.

[Boatmik]

Howdy Woodchuck,

There are a million boat designs out there - so you need to narrow it down a bit by starting to have a clearer idea of what you want.

Sooooo - is the purpose of building the boat one of spending time with the building so you can develop the woodworking side.

Or is getting the boat to the water to use the main thing?

This is the first question I always ask people who turn up at boatshows asking the same question.

The risk of asking such a broad question as above is that you are likely to be inundated with so much information it will make it difficult to understand.

I would suggest looking on your local UK version of Google - make sure you check the box for a UK search only.
http://www.google.co.uk/

And then type in - wooden boat plans

Later on ... search the world ... but looking locally will tell you who is active and who sells plans and materials (which can be very worthwhile as there is often a lot of help available from such places) also some places running schools or discussion groups focussing on one or another type of boatbuilding.

Keep an open mind - there are advantages and disadvantages in all types of boatbuilding. Most of the widespread methods are OK.

Be aware that plans differ a large amount in detail - some are little more than two or three sheets of paper. Some have detailed step-by-step instructions.

Best wishes with your search.
Michael Storer

[bitingmidge]

I would suggest looking on your local UK version of Google - make sure you check the box for a UK search only.
http://www.google.co.uk/

And then type in - wooden boat plans

Grand advice Mik, but Woodchuck is in Canada, which means that when he searches he'll already be near the centre of the world!

Mik can't do this, but I can: Have a look here (http://homepage.mac.com/peterhyndman/GIS) and here (http://homepage.mac.com/peterhyndman/PDRinfo/) and here (http://www.storerboatplans.com) for starters!
(All designed my boatmik by the way!)

cheers,

P

[WoOdChUk]

thanks guys... and yea sry about the broad question, so heres some info to narrow it down:

Building it for 2 reasons, i want to develope my woodworking skills and becuase i want to be able to take it out to a lake and just do some fishing by myself or maybe a friend... and i love sailing, so if you know any simple dingy sail boat's id love them also. A small boat is preffered, so maybe 2 or 2 benches, or what ever you call those things you sit on:U Lighter, the better, hope this helps

[WoOdChUk]

oh by the way, thanks for those websites, ive found them very helpful

[WoOdChUk]

hi i am looking at the PDracer on the http://homepage.mac.com/peterhyndman/Sites/PDRinfo/PDRbuilding/oneminute.html
and the 1st instruction, the one that tells you what tools and such you will need, isn't working:C is there anyway i can figure out what tools and other stuff ill need for it?? Thanks

[hairymick]

G'day Woodchuck and welcome aboard mate.

I have only ever heard very good things about Michael Storer's plans but as yet, have not built one. I hope to be in a postion to remedy that soon:D

Morton Olson also designs fine boats that might suit. His plans are delivered via email. I have bought one of his plans, mainly just to have a look at them. I can tell you they are clear, complete and easy to follow and the back up service is as good as any I have encountered.

Here is a link to his site.

http://www.boatplans.dk/

[Boatmik]

If you want to go more woodworky and want to sail and a bit of fishing ... I would steer you strongly towards Iain Oughtred's plans.

They are really detailed (well and truly enough for a first time builder - particularly if you get a copy of his book "clinker boatbuilding) and have a more traditional feel to mine. They sail just as well too.

The plans are available worldwide but there is a fair bit of info on this site.

MIK

Iain Oughtred Elegant design, modern glued plywood clinker or strip plank construction from traditional design roots. Strong. Rewarding construction. Boats for sail oar and paddle.
Prams (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=26)
Dinghies (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=6)
Sailing Dinghies (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=29)
Outrigger Skiffs (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=1)
Rowing Skiffs (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=30)
Norwegian Hardanger Faering (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=31)
Double-ended Beachboats (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=34)
Cruising Yachts (http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=2)

[PAR]

I'd like to toss my hat into the ring. If you'd like to drop me an email WoOdChUK, I can get an idea what you're after and match you up with a design that suits you well.

Selecting a design is often one of the more difficult aspects of a build. Getting a good match will mean you'll enjoy using the boat, after the construction is over. Anyone can build a boat they don't like to sail, but with some research and help, you can find a design that accommodates your needs and desires closely, which will provide years of entertainment.

[soundman]

The PD racer cretainly worth a look.... the TEAL off the instant boats site I think is a bit more versatile & probly a bit simpler... the instructions wont be as good as mick's.

Go for something simple, quick & cheap.......t probly wont be your last boat:D

You'll probly get the disease like Hairymick....how many is it now.....10..11..12

google "pirogue" & check out all thoses sites.....that will give you some ideas about sometghing simple to start with.
The teal is a sailing/ rowing pirogue..... but Harry Payson dosn't seem to mention that.

cheers

[hairymick]

Aaah the humble pirogue - to my mind, probably the quickest and easiest of all boat builds and at the end of it, you have a remarkably good boat.

I don't understand why they are not more popular here. They enjoy allmost a cult following in SE USA.

Her are some links to some of the better ones that I have built. (in order of my preferences.

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/proddetail.php?prod=TourPirogue

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1975

http://www.unclejohns.com/boat/default.htm

Plans are the right price, There are a couple of active builders forums featuring these boats builds and there is even a sail rig version.

I chase bass and barramundi from my pirogues and have allways been very happy with their performance.

[WoOdChUk]

thanks for the websites guys... they are awesome, just trying to figure out which one now. I like the pd racers, becuase of the sail, but the pirogue seems more simple and easy to follow... any other boats like the pd racer and the pirogue? thanks again

[bitingmidge]

hi i am looking at the PDracer on the PDRacer One Minute Guide (http://homepage.mac.com/peterhyndman/Sites/PDRinfo/PDRbuilding/oneminute.html)
and the 1st instruction, the one that tells you what tools and such you will need, isn't working:C is there anyway i can figure out what tools and other stuff ill need for it?? Thanks

Sorry WoOdChUk (gee that's hard to type!) I haven't got to the tools and materials pages yet! That will happen over the next few months though. So far the site runs just short of 200 pages, so it's taking a bit of time!

The basic tools required are just that: Very Basic.

You should be able to build almost any boat with them though:

SAW: A jigsaw would be useful for the ply, but the curves are such that you can easily cut them with a simple panelsaw (handsaw), or better still a Japanese pull saw. Any of those can be bought quite cheaply, but the Japanese pull saw can also be used for the joinery bits.

PLANE; You may get away without a plane, but it will be quite difficult I would have thought. A simple Stanley #4 is fine, and a small block plane is also useful. You can get away with either, but you should also learn to sharpen them before you start.

CHISEL. A single chisel 3/8 or 3/4" will get you by easily.

BATTERY DRILL: Buy a cheap battery drill and a few hundred sheet screws. Use the screws as temporary fasteners and you'll get by with few or even no clamps.

SANDER; A belt sander can be useful, and a Random Orbital is also useful, but you can get by with muscles!

That's more or less it really, but of course you'll want more! :wink:

One thing that may well be worth investing in is the PDRacer plans (http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/storer/pdr/index.htm), for $20.00 they are really more like an illustrated course in modern boat building than a set of plans. They run to just under a hundred pages, and the methodology applies to any boat you may want to build.

Of course if you want to you get the plans as a bonus!

Cheers,

P

[b.o.a.t.]

thanks for the websites guys... they are awesome, just trying to figure out which one now. I like the pd racers, becuase of the sail, but the pirogue seems more simple and easy to follow... any other boats like the pd racer and the pirogue? thanks again

Phil Bolger's "Teal" was my first. Double-ended sharpie skiff, 12' x 3'7" from two sheets of 1/4" ply & assorted scrap timber. But I didn't build it to plan... it's been my "experiment with different ideas & technologies" hull. Frankly it's a bit small for two full sized adults, especially if they want to do active stuff like fishing. But I've learnt so much that if it were written off tomorrow, I'd be waaay in front !

Buy, steal or borrow Philip C Bolger / Harold Payson "Instant Boats" or "The New Instant Boats". http://instantboats.com/ These have a dozen or so different simple designs in each, plenty of "how to" instructions, and not-to-scale plans. You can build from the plans in the book, but a proper set of plans make life soooo much easier.
Read Bolgers "Boats with an Open Mind". Bolger's narratives will get you thinking about how & where you want to use it.
Visit John Welsford's & Iain Outred's web sites & drool over what is possible.

Then, when you've read them & decided on a simple 15' sharpie with high sides for dryness & which goes like a rocket, give MIK a hoy & twist his arm into selling you a Goat Island Skiff plan set. ;-)
(pics & video on other threads in this forum)
cheers
AJ