Newbie needs some clues.

[troutrunner]

Hello all,
Please treat me gently as a first timer, I have a lot of good quality 1/4inch ply and thought it might be possible to use it for a smallish river/canal boat.

I am thinking of one in the region of 18/20foot long, a friend has one in glassfibre and thought it could be copied and made with ply. Has anyone any ideas on how to work out a plan taken from his boat, I have some thoughts already but would be gratefull of any comments and ideas.

I'm in your hands, regards, Paul

[alan white]

To build a plywood boat, choose a design that is hard-chined. Copying a rounded hull is difficult for obvious reasons. In fact, even talented boat designers don't find it particularly easy to convert curves to facets. Give yourself a break and buy a set of plans. They won't cost much if the boat is small and simple.

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mc2130.htm#CANA

has some canal cruisers and other plans, which are mainly designed for ply construction.

And welcome here!

Regards
Richard

[troutrunner]

Thanks Richard for your welcome.

I'm new to the idea of boat building but not so new to working with wood, I have an idea, perhaps not conventional but want to try.

All comments will be taken on board (pun intended), over a period of time it will become clear to me if my thoughts are practical.

Thanks for your thoughts and plans so far, I look forward to many more,

Paul

[PAR]

You can use plywood to build a round bilge design, but these would be a rare find as most are chine as Alan has mentioned. Also, most round bilge designs of the size you desire, would incorporate 3 mm (1/8") plywood, in two or more layers, rather then 1/4".

[Ike]

Plywood is perfect for stitch and glue boatbuilding. Find a set of plans that matches what you are looking for and have at it. I am sure there are plans available that come very close to your friends boat, but have chines rather than round bilges.

Try http://www.devlinboat.com/

or http://www.bateau.com/

and http://www.glen-l.com/

Or do an internet search on stitch and glue boat building.