New But Need direction

Hi to all
I'm new to boat boat building and you can say very green in the field, but very keen to to give it a go! I bought a set of plans and am looking down the barrel of a 23' aluminium day boat/cruiser/fisher ect.
Just a quick bit of background before I go to far with this, I have a qualifications in Engineering (Civil-Structural) and work as a builder but buildings don't float!
The plans I have purchased are Ok a little vague in areas were I will be getting in touch with the architect to clarify a few details, there probably more than adequate to a boat builder but as I mentioned I'm a real greenhorn.
From all said I come to my question, Can someone recommend some good literature, tutorials, videos or information on building vessels in aluminium of this size? A lot of what i see on the plan I can work out, and even quite a few things I am going to alter to save me lots of welding and bending, as I have my own CNC router and can just cut those bits out of one piece of plate and so on. But what confuses me is example, the keel bar being a 100 x 10 plate, how do you bend that laterally or do you use a large plate and cut the shape, there must be a process. Little things like this can make me come unstuck or cost me double.
All Recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks
Katoh

 

There's a couple of books on Amazon that seem ok. Links to them are on our website here http://www.cncmarine.com.au/ShopOnline.htm

 

alidesigner
I have purchased Boat building in Aluminium by S. Pollack and am eagerly waiting its arrival.
I must ask is cncmarine your business? Are you the architect or machinist?
The reason I ask I'm wondering do you sell just plans or only kits? As stated I have my own CNC router, I have purchased a set of plans but certain details are a bit sketchy, and I'm trying to figure out a cutting solution. Were if you sold the plans you would have your parts designed for cutting on cnc already if you can see what I'm trying to say. This would make it a more attractive option, or an easier option for a novice like myself.
I like the plans I have bought, the vessel suits me to a tee, What I was hoping for was more of dummies set of plans, say a plan or detail of each frame, maybe even some sort of cutting pattern, but that's not what I got. I'm not complaining the plans are good and with enough detail for a someone with experience, this is the whole reason for the reference material.
What I'm thinking when I get all this pieces on CAD I will send a copy to the architect with some detailed drawings of how I envision the whole thing to go together and he can check it for me before I cut on the CNC.
Thanks
Katoh

 

Yes its my business and I only design, all construction is sub contracted out. At the moment we only sell kits but am thinking about releasing a couple of small designs and selling the plans with CNC files to test the market. The problem is that once they are out there the chance of them getting copied and re-sold is a problem. What size and style of boat are you planning to build?

 

alidesigner
Yes I know exactly what you mean once you get a drawing in cad format it cant be controlled, can end up anywhere, very easy to nest and even easier to generate code from it if you know what your doing. In my option only I don't think many guys are going to have access to large enough cnc equipment to literally have a go at cutting there own patterns, so I think kits are the better option for the general populous, and those guys like myself that have there own machines, its just as easy for me to draw and generate code for my machine than it would be to have cad drawings already done. The other thing would not waste my time with cutting files because every machine is different. What would be nice, again I will go back to my hassle, is a set of plans with each part detailed!
I don't know or if its allowed or ethical to give you the name and plan names on the forum that I bought, just in case the architect kicks up a stink. The the vessel is a mono hull, 7meters LOA with a 2.5m beam, designed for a 4cyclinder diesel inboard, basically a day boat with blue water capabilities, 19deg in the V. The Cabin/hardtop/cuddy/with dunny will be designed after the hull is complete. There is a walk around that I really like but my wife has other ideas so compromise fishing, cruising sort of thing. Stupid thing I am already talking about building a bigger one after this one.
I like your Web site! one thing I never came across it while I was doing my initial searches for plans and kits for alloy boats, just something you might want to look into.
Cheers
Katoh

 

Yes no need to upset the designer but cant help but wonder how you are meant to create the parts if they arent detailed or given to you electronically.

Our drawings have every part drawn at 1:1 and nested so the kits we will release will be able to be cnc cut or plotted full size. We dont have anything as big as what you bought though.

Thanks for the feedback on the website. It targets people searching for kits so if you were searching for plans we wont show up - yet

 

alidesigner
Your plans would have been exactly what I would have wanted, every part drawn, I could have just nested them on a sheet to suite the size of the CNC and off I go, you would more than likely would have a nice set of instructions to go with that as well no doubt.
I look at it this way in my trade, we have plans for builders and then you have plans for owner builders (one Off's), The plans for the professional just have enough detail to let you know structural and architectural sizes but the rest is left to the builder, he should know what he is doing. These plans are not for a novice or an owner builder.
I'm basically stuck with the ones I have, somehow ill make them work.
Ever since I started this little adventure a few people have asked me about this, I will send them your way, its a much easier path by the sounds of it.
I think I might even run into troubles with my designer, he wont return my emails, I asked him a few questions on the design but his failed to reply and I don't want to keep pushing the point.
Cheers Again
Katoh