GIS materials

I just purchased the plans for the GIS. I would like some advice on ordering the materials, and how much I should expect to spend. Is there a one stop shop that can put together a package of everything I would need?

Tippy, (I'm using Tapatalk to read this so pardon me if the info is displayed somewhere but...) where are you located? Do you have lumber yards nearby that you might know and trust? What about large chain "big box" stores? The Internet will be your friend and I can share what sources I used in the US Northeast. But we have a global community on this forum (yay Internet!) so my advice might not apply.

Welcome to the forum!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know of anyone that could offer a "building kit" but it might be possible to get someone to assemble a materials kit for you. Naturally, there would be a fee associated with this, but there are enough GIS builders and boat building product suppliers around that a deal could be reached. The questions will be, how much are you willing to pay for the convenience of this kit and how complete does it need to be. In other words it's one thing to take delivery of some sheets of plywood, some gallon jugs of epoxy a roll of cloth and maybe a roll of tape. It's another thing entirety to get plywood, goo, cloth, tape, wire ties, solid stock that's maybe milled to dimension, hardware, lines, sails, etc. Maybe Clint on Chase can drop in and offer some clues, or you can call me for some details (send me an email).

I now see that you're located in Georgia, so my US experience will be somewhat relevant.

As PAR says, a one-stop shop for EVERYTHING is not really out there. At that point, you're a hair away from commissioning a boat to be built. However, Duckworks Boat Building Supply (an official agent of Storer plans) does have epoxy kits that are tailored for the GIS. Clint Chase used to cut and package CNC plywood kits (John Goodman in Texas for example) but he may have halted that aspect of his business.

I say, the Storerboat community IS your kit. Buy the wood, break out the pencil and start marking it up. If you run into questions, there are always others who have been there. Right now there are several new builds in progress, so the question you ask may well help others and vice versa. You'll see here and on the Facebook page that some typos in the plans pop up as questions and usually two or three Goaters (or Goatees) will jump in with a quick answer.

Some of my own favorite moments came by deviating from the plans here and there. Once you're immersed in the build, you'll see that you didn't need a kit after all.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I ordered my last okoume from a west coast supplier who shipped it out of one of their facillities in south Florida, Vero Beach area. Sorry I cannot recall the names but Google should bring them up for you. Try to find one of the French brands, like Joubert. The stuff out of China is hit and miss. You may be tempted to save some money by buying meranti (Hydrotek or similar) but you should avoid that. It will be much heavier than okoume and even though it may be marked marine grade per the British standards it will not pass close inspection. I used some Hydrotek in my Simmons where weight was not as critical but I cannot recommend it.

The outfit out of Vero Beach is E-Boat. You can access their web site through Bateau.com - boat plans online since 1993.

I disagree about meranti and Hydrotech or Aquatech. They are half and over half the cost of Joubert stock and do carry the BS-1088 or 6566 grade. The weight difference is 20% on average, meaning a 100 pound boat becomes a 120 pound boat, which is significant, but not over the top. This amount of weight could be the same as a half full, compaired to an empty cooler of beer.

E-Boat also sells Marinepoxy, which is a 2:1 at half the price of the major brands. The slow is non-blushing and physical properties are similar to System Three products.

I do agree in that the Hydrotech and Aquatech sheets need to be inspected, but this is normal with any sheet, though admittedly, I've never seen a bad Joubert sheet.

My Fuji brand Hydrotek was marked BS 1088 but I don't believe it would pass inspection due to puttied faces. Every sheet had at least one puttied side.

Thanks for the advice. I think I have found a local that can get me almost everything I need.