Simple boat

[weedeater64]

I really like Wharram's Child of the Sea.
I am giving some serious thought to building a boat.
I was wondering? Does anyone know of a design similar to child of the sea, but shorter, around 28 to 30 feet?

I can't help but wonder why I shouldn't just get some wood and start building, planning as I go, without buying a design. I mean I know I could get somewhere near the shape of that boat just from pics and reading about what others have done.. Perhaps not highly engineered, but I'm confident I could get a boat that would float and sail, though it may be last across the line at a race. I'm not concerned with that though, I want something that will be strong, simple, easy to build and maintain.

[gonzo]

Two things can happen: You will build a boat fast, cheap and easy to maintain. or you are the typical dreamer that will take years to build a crapper that will fall apart in short time. The only way to find out is to do it.

[PAR]

Something strong, simple and easy to maintain requires considerable designing skill, which you're post suggests you don't own.

Yea, it's a piece of cake, anyone can do it and why people pay professionals anything at is beyond me. I say go for it and let us know how launching day turns out. A tip to the inexperienced, paint your waterline after you've launched, not before.

[bill broome]

keep your eyes open for a tiki 26, one will come on the market before you can build a boat. buy it, sail it, think about how to improve it.

a modern rig, and dagger boards would come to my mind, but they are good boats as is. don't be in a hurry to try to improve on the professionals, it's a good way to burn money and time.

if you absolutely have to build one, give richard woods some money for 'surfsong' plans, it's a modernized wharram about the size you are looking for.

[hoytedow]

Originally Posted by weedeater64

I can't help but wonder why I shouldn't just get some wood and start building, planning as I go, without buying a design.....

Plan first, I mean REALLY PLAN FIRST, before you start building. It will save you a lot of grief.