Newbie needs some clues.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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".

 

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.