New to Boat building....

[warbishop]

I hope everyone here is doing very well. I wanted to stop in a say hi to all of you surfing this forum section. My name is Tony and I've never built a single boat in my life. But I have decided to give my creative side a chance to try it.

I actually gave boat building some serious concideration a long time ago but never gave it a go. I have always wanted to build a boat, however. I may be totally confused about what I'm getting into here but in my mind I really think building a boat would allow me to put my energy into something from which a tremendous amount of satisfaction can be gained when it's completed. I have had a lot of experience building houses over the years , so I'm good with my hands and reasonable bright and I do trully love the water. I like the idea of working on something which could require a real attention to the smallest detail and in the end, trying it out on a body of water I always wanted to see and experience.

I think my dream would be to build a boat large enough to sail to the bahamas and back in comfort from Miami. Maybe something I could fish from, sleep in and relax in the sun a little along the way. Maybe with a small place to cook a decent meal. And of course, a boat thats attractive to the eye would sure make it nicer. I feel like in my hheart that I can do this with enough basic knowledge but I'm not sure. Maybe I'm reaching. Heck I'm not even sure what type of boat would meet those guidlines. Maybe someone out there can pass along a few opinions.

You know it doesn't even matter to me if the boat took a few months to complete or a few years.... to me it is about the journey almost as much as the destination. The proving to myself that it can be done. I guess thats why I prefer a boat thats a little bit of a challenge rather than something too easy because when I'm done, I want to know that it was something that most people couldnt have done. I'm sure some of you could but maybe not most people ingeneral.

So, hello to all and may the journey begin........................

STEP 1: what to build and how to build it?
(Big question for step 1 lol)

Welcome here!

I would say, have a look what others build or have in mind. Just to get some ideas what might fancy you.

Bateau.com

Atkin boatplans

Glen L

Selway Fisher

Are some of the better known sites providing proven plans. Look them up.

Here is one of our members playing with the idea of building a boat that would fit your requirements, imho:

Ok complete change of plan

Regards
Richard

[Ike]

Wanting to build a boat is a good thing. But it is better to start with something smaller to learn about boats and how they are constructed before trying a project of the size you are considering. I suggest something around 20 feet to learn about boats and learn about sailing. A boat this size can be built in a reasonably short time at a lot less cost than a boat capable of crossing oceans. Costs do not increase linearly with size with boats. As with the interior volume, the cost increases by the cube. So does the difficult and complexity of the build.

[warbishop]

I agree sir 100%. Seeing how I dont possess the knowledge that many of u do at this stage of the game, I did intend to try and build something slightly less demanding in an attempt to grasp some of the basics first. I doubt I was clear about that in my initial posting here. I was just saying that at some point, a boat similar to what i described earlier, would be my ultimate goal or dream.

And I do agree that at this moment, I have quite a few more questions than answers. I have been watching videos and reading across the web for some general perspectives but I'm still far shy of feeling even remotely comfortable. So far though, I can say that I havent seen anything I didnt feel I could do with a better understanding of how to go about it. I am ordering a couple books off of Amazon to help with some of my questions.

Any good beginner learning material or suggestions on a beginner boat would be greatly appreciated. I think my ideal boat to start off with would be something I could possibly sail OR at least something stable enough for 3-4 adults to fish out of in a large lake. I think either of those I would use where I live. I would be using them in Lake Keowee or Lake Hartwell located near Clemson SC.

[Petros]

Welcome to the forum,

I would suggest you find a local sailing club and volunteer to crew on someone else's boat. This way you learn if you like the activity, and what you like or do not like about a boat. There should also be rec department classes available, so you can learn on a boat that belongs to someone else.

And at the same time than you start building a 10 to 14' dingy as a "practice" build, to learn the techniques, and not waste a lot of material on mistakes on a larger boat (you will make them, you just want to minimize the cost of making them). You can use the dingy as a tender for your larger boat, if you ever do build one.

It is tremendously satisfying to build something with your own hands, especially as attractive as a wood boat, but it is actually far less expensive to buy used (and refit it to your satisfaction) than to build from scratch. Or to buy someone else's incomplete project, or a part way done restoration (lots of bargains to be had right now). So only build it if you like building, otherwise there are far less expensive ways to acquire a boat.

Good luck and keep up posted on your progress.

[warbishop]

I have absolutely no interest in buying or completing someone elses project. I cant possibly see the satisfaction in either of those. If I were going to do that, I'd simply buy a new boat and be done with it.

But ty anyway.

[hoytedow]

Originally Posted by warbishop

I have absolutely no interest in buying or completing someone elses project. I cant possibly see the satisfaction in either of those. If I were going to do that, I'd simply buy a new boat and be done with it.

But ty anyway.

Welcome. There is nothing(almost) that will give so much fun as dreaming, planning and building your first boat. Be sure to keep all receipts as proof for getting title to your creation. Even if you build from a kit, some of you goes into the build.