Thread: Boat building schools in Sydney??

Hi Theodor,

How does a mate of Koala end up in OZ!!! Globe trotter indeed!

Schools tend to be a little rare these days - I would like to know about some in Sydney and other places too.

So if others can help ... it would be great.

The number of tools is pretty small though, particularly if you get the solid timber machined to cross section.

Jigsaw, random orbit sander, cordless drill/screwdriver. A #4 plane. Then it really comes down to pencils, straight edges, disposable brushes etc.

More tools make it a bit more efficient, but not a lot - maybe 15% faster overall as a guess.

With the goat you do need a hand for a couple of days when the hull is assembled for the first time.

MIK

Howdy Mik,

I'm actually an Aussie and I met Koala while he was studying here in Australia. He convinced me to come work with him. In fact he has even managed to convince me to move from general woodworking into boat building! Of course he proved it was fun when we started on your plans. I just saw on his blog that he is almost finished it.

I certainly understand some of the basics of what you need to build a Storer wooden boat. Obviously I am sure I could find all the tools I need in the oldies' garages.

However I'm a believer that some skills are best taught e.g. using epoxy. Koala seemed to figure things out there, but it required a lot of phone calls and internet searching to get the gear (and there is no way I have the slovene language skills for that!).

As I said above, I can also hear and observe the tuition of others at a school, so I'm keen to check out this option. Otherwise I'll be waiting until June when I head back before I start looking into buying plans for a boat. Just hate twiddling the thumbs!

Theodor

So Theodor,

Are you living here or are you living there.

Why do you want a boat here rather than there?

If you just wanted to pick up the skills the Duckflat school allows (paying) observer/helpers. Last time a couple of people did that and ended up building substantial parts of a boat in partnership and picking up all the skills.

Some other schools may have the same arrangement.

It is a great way to pick up skills in a quick 10 or 11 days. They are with you forever after that.

MIK

I wouldn't mind starting to build something here even though I am only back here in Sydney for 6 months every 3 years. I am sure there are many people who start building things but only tinker on them every few years or so. Certainly I am keen to make and complete something when I return to Europe mid year.

Certainly helping others at Duck Flats is an option. Unfortunately my father-in-law can't make it due to work commitments, so it makes it a bit too expensive for me alone. We'll see.

While you're on the line Mik, I may as well ask if it is possible to put seats along the sides of the GIS instead of the 2 which seem to go across the boat. I once saw a design like that (it may have been a clinker though), and it looked very attractive. Plus having sailed comets and lasers as a kid, I like the space around the feet and sitting out on the sides. Is that possible in a GIS? (Maybe at the heart of this qn is the whole 'can you trust epoxy in 5mm 3-ply boats for strength?')

Still looking for boat schools in Sydney folks!

Hi Theodor

Have you thought about enrolling in Meadowbank TAFE

I did a couple of their modules before I wnet back to full time work

They have a number of courses, big shed, lots of machines and tools, even have a project mangement course that lets you build your own project

The courses are largely evening - so you can still work during the day

Regards

Peter

Originally Posted by Theodor

While you're on the line Mik, I may as well ask if it is possible to put seats along the sides of the GIS instead of the 2 which seem to go across the boat. I once saw a design like that (it may have been a clinker though), and it looked very attractive. Plus having sailed comets and lasers as a kid, I like the space around the feet and sitting out on the sides. Is that possible in a GIS? (Maybe at the heart of this qn is the whole 'can you trust epoxy in 5mm 3-ply boats for strength?')

Still looking for boat schools in Sydney folks!

Howdy Theodor - I understand your thinking - it might be useful to contact Ducks and tell them about your problem which, I guess, hinges around the cost of accommodation.

There might be an alternative or there might not.

As far as the seats on the goat I have transferred that part of the question here as it is a general one ... (I have the power, I have the power!!!)
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=66495

MIK

Originally Posted by The Hun

Have you thought about enrolling in Meadowbank TAFE

I did a couple of their modules before I wnet back to full time work

They have a number of courses, big shed, lots of machines and tools, even have a project mangement course that lets you build your own project

I had a quick look at the Meadowbank TAFE website, but I can't figure out what courses are actually for hobbyists. Can I enrol in http://www.tafensw.edu.au/howex/serv...&CourseNo=9272, a Certificate 3 course, for example, just to learn about boat building and not quality assurance issues?? I certainly don't need an apprenticeship.

Anyone got some experience with TAFE?

Hi Theodor

I did the modules in 2005. They were called Introduction to Boat Building and Boat Carpentry. Unfortunately the real world called and I returned to full time work. They were running the same or similar courses in 2006. The next course would have been the Project Management course - which was really building your own project - there were guys there who built canoes, dinghies, small runabouts. The largest was over 30 feet. They just re-enrolled in project management each term and had access to the shed, tools and help when they needed it

I looked at the website and can't make sense of it either. Might be easier to call them or pay them a visit

Regards

Peter

Theodor,

To flip this round ... if the plans are reasonably well set up they can guide you through much of the process.

So just build a boat. Lots of people much less skilled than you have managed fine.

I was about to say that maybe your first boat won't be quite what you want in terms of quality ... but here is the cosmic joke ...
Neither is the second and neither is the third ... and if you are smart you stop worrying too much about it by then and just get on with the building!!! You are an experienced woodworker so you know what I mean )

From the starting point that you have defined - that of using epoxy - some plans are better than others.

These are the ones that are more comprehensive and are as much of a building course as a plan.

For strip planked canoes
Ted Moore's "Canoecraft" book - the only defect is using staples - flat headed nails with "electrician's spagetti" threaded on - are much neater and don't show as much. Otherwise the book is perfect.

For lapstrake boatbuilding
any of Iain Oughtred's plans - it is rare for someone to botch up one of his designs - so much detail - though you need to buy a copy of his book on "clinker boatbuilding"

For plywood kayaks
Pygmy Kayaks or CLC even though some of their plans have an "unhealthy obsession" (poetic turn of phrase there - don't take me too seriously) with lots of fibreglassing - which might be essential in an expeditioning boat but adds weight and cost for most boats that get paddled round on harbours and landed on sand in calm water.

For plywood - this might look like a shameless plug, but most of my plans are set up as a course in epoxy boatbuilding as well - with some traditional bits thrown in (eg sparmaking, shaping foils accurately with templates) - all of it step by step. Generally you get 80 to 100 pages of detailed explanation and diagrams.

There are lots of other plans around of course and many of them are adaptable towards the materials you want to use.

So if you see something you like, give us a yell here and we will probably be able to tell you if the boat is suitable and just what you have to do to make it work.

A lot of the basic methods are on my FAQ - which tries to cover the main questions reasonably well.
http://www.storerboatplans.com/Faq/faqindex.html

The main sections to read are about

1. using the cordless drill and plasterboard/drywall screws to temporarily hold bits together while the epoxy sets up
2. precoating parts or the plywood before they go into the boat
3. glassing small or large areas
4. filleting
5. dewaxing epoxy (not required so much with some brands)

etc

Best wishes
Michael Storer

To bring up this thread again, TAFE is a dirty word in this house these days. I am so peeved off with them - there are limited courses at TAFE these days that you can do without being an apprentice, what I mean is, anything that could remotely give a pathway to a trade, can only be done as an apprenticeship. 99% of decent courses at TAFE have gone over the last few years. Local 'community colleges' are generally overpriced, basic courses run by 'if you can't do, teach' type teachers. How the hell are we supposed to gain skills these days, if for example our old man or mates aren't experts? And the rare time there is something of interest, its a night course at a TAFE thats a 2.5 hour round trip leaving in peak hour for 3 hours in a classroom (or workshop).....

Sorry, just had to rant as I find TAFE especially frustrating.

Most of you Victorians probably already know of these, but here are a few links if you don't:

http://www.nepeanboats.com.au/website/default.asp
http://www.platealloy.com/boat_build_course.htm

(the courses on these web sites are old, but they may still run them. I'd kill for the alloy bot building course in Sydney.)