Posted: 6/2/2004 1:06:54 PM EDT
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Anyone ever build their own boat? I've been looking at some of the "stitch and glue" designs (cut plywood panels, drill a bunch of holes, wire together and cover joint with epoxy and fiberglass tape inside and out, sand, and paint) for a small boat I can throw on top of the car and head out to the fishing hole, and was wondering if anyone here had any experience with building their own boats. -FOTBR |
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A friend of mine from Minnesota had a 10ft canoe he built from a kit and it was rock solid. Kinda heavy, too, but trustworthy. It was wood and fiberglass construction. It wasn't something, however, that I'd take on the Jack's Fork River. I prefer aluminum for the rivers that are gonna beat your craft up a bit. |
Yeah....I can swim fine. I float pretty good too! |
I purshasead the plans for a couple of plywood boats from Paul Buttler. The plans look great, but I haven't had the time to get started on them. A friend put together a wood kayak from a kit and it looks great. He takes it out on the Pacific from time to time. A coworker bought a wood kayak kit with the stitch and glue method. This came from a place in WA. He is working on it now and says it's going fine. He's very happy with the quality and ease of putting it together. |
My father is in the process of starting his own buisness... building wooden boats in his own barn! He has already started one in his garage. It sounds like you are reffering to a 'six hour canoe' or 'six hour skiff'. I know he has plans for those and we may build one together this summer!  If you wish I could contact him for some sources on plans, good how to books, etc. In the meantime, you might want to check out www.woodenboat.com Hoppy 8420
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I have built three Pirogues out of exterior plywood. They work fine and will last a lifetime if stored properly. I was told that exterior plywood uses the same glue these days as marine plywood. The difference is that the exterior stuff has voids internal and marine doesn't. I just feel for the voids, cut them open and patch/fill with liquid nails and chopped fiberglass. When splicing two sheets I use my 4 1/2" sander to make a long bevel on both pieces and glue with liquid nails and plenty of clamps. Bon chance! |