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I have now read that our DIY mega-chain B&Q sells mainly Valspar/ Sherwin Williams paints etc, including their own-brand GoodHome. So anything "Exterior" from there ought to do the job. We don't usually see the description "porch/patio/deck paint" over here. Mike

Thanks - Are you talking about solvent-based paints or water-based paints?

Thanks, yes, I note that no-one is advising me to use water-based paint. I guess I'll compare oil paint with 1-pack Polyurethane paint re cost. The Devil is in the Detail, as usual. Where I have epoxied joints and epoxied taping, the top coats can go straight on. Where I have bare wood, if I do...

I guess I'll compare oil paint with 1-pack Polyurethane paint re cost. The Devil is in the Detail, as usual. Where I have epoxied joints and epoxied taping, the top coats can go straight on. Where I have bare wood, if I do not want to prime with epoxy, I shall have to decide on a...

Ah, oil paint, thanks. Yes, I grew up with that. The undercoat/primer seems to be water-based, often, these days, or ? Mike

Thanks, that is helpful - yes, I have American MAS Low Viscosity Epoxy with a fast hardener and a slow hardener, I have used it for gluing and taping for many years. Often I use both hardeners in the mix to get intermediate speeds. Non-blush but I still prefer to arrange warm epoxy-friendly...

"Polyurethane with UV inhibitors" - yes, that sounds about right. We used to have boat jumbles locally, great places to find surplus paints or paint in dented dented tins. There must be online places like that, I'll look. Thanks! Mike

This boat would be a cheaply built canoe/pirogue for a small child/children. The finish would be easily-maintained paint on the outside, but it might be either paint or a clear varnish on the inside. I don't know yet. First tick-box is Waterproofness. No point in building an ultralight if it...

Thank you, a very nice story and the dimensions 10' x 2.5' x 1' sound rather like the shape I am thinking of, but scaled down for the smaller weight and size of up to 2 tiny children, but of course they will not be let loose on their own. I really appreciate hearing of your experience. Mike

I am reverting to your reply because, leaving out sailing for this year, I like the simple idea of a pirogue/ canoe, completely flat bottom - but with a little, not too much, rocker, so that turning is not too difficult? I am playing with a "bottom area/all-up-weight = draft" calculation and...

Thanks, yes, I have been sketching some shapes much like that, and I am teaching myself to work out the draft-per-bottom-area-per-weight-0f-child/adult. I can get the bottom area well enough by dividing it into short trapezoidal bits and then adding up the areas. This is simple on a flat bottom...

Thanks, it has worked this time!

Thanks, I am looking at those sit-ons with interest, but there is something down-to-earth about an ultra-simple sit-in plywood boat. I was a burnt-out dinghy racer at 20 years old, but I have gone full circle, and I now seem to appreciate daft little boats, the simpler and the least hassle the...

Thanks, I like this site a lot. Yes, big scaling-down needed for a 40lb-70lb child, I am looking at maybe a 6' x 3' hull overall, but flat floor maybe around 5' x 2.5'. My first effort at sketching a pirogue-style boat, for paddling and rowing, is drawn for 6' x 3' overall for a cardboard mock-up.

Some good stuff there, and that Bumblebee is super-cute! But they are all a bit beyond our 4-year-old, at the moment. Great sites to bookmark though! I wanted to "Like" your reply, but I cannot see a "Like" button . . . ???

Thanks, there are some good ideas in there. Sailing might come later, so only small runners because the joy of that creek is, partly, floating on very shallow water. I wanted to "Like" your reply but cannot see a "Like" button . . . ??

Thanks, I have heard of that, I'll have a look round. I wanted to "Like" your reply, but cannot see a "Like" button???? Mike

Any ideas? Pond toy boat to be used under adult supervision. Ideal location - sandy creek at low tide, with shallow water pools and clean sand bottom. Boat size and weight - less than 6 foot long, 3 foot wide, 20lb. Fast-build, epoxy stitch-and-tape/fillet, no decking, flat bottom, 4mm or 3mm...