Desperately Seeking Sawdust

Hello to All,
Yet another newbie on this site. Thank you for your warm welcomes,,,,,,

Having always loved boat I had done without for decades. A few years back I obtained a canoe in need of help. It was a simple case of replacing the thwarts. Not exactly what you'd call a project!

My next was/is a 71 Venture 222. She is fiberglass and a great boat,,,,,,, BUT!!!!!!!!

I WANNA WOODEN BOAT!!!!!!!!! A WOODEN SAILBOAT!!!!!!!!

If I can find one to refurb it would be my first choice. Fix her up, love her forever,,,,,,,

That being said, if,,,IF ,,, I can't find one I will want to build one. Herein lies my question. I do have some decent,,,"proficient" wood working skills but I know almost nothing about how to build a boat and more importantly,

I have no idea where to look!

In this area of Tennessee this is not your normal sort of hobby so I am on my own here. I could pay for a course, drive to New England,,,,and hope I learn something. My preference would be books and what advice I could glean here.

So,,,All that being said,,,,,

What book/books do I need to get started at the "Start"? Thanks for any help provided. I am not just talking! I actually want to and PLAN on doing this! Please help!!!

jeff

 

Boatbuilding 101

Hi Jeff,

I'm a newbie also. I started building a 12 ft lapstrake sailng dinghy back in Sept. I have just recently taken it off the molds and am in the process of building the interior. It has been an arduous task, mainly because I'm a novice (first time) boatbuilder. I read two books on the subject before I began: ]Building Small Wooden Boats by Greg Rossell and How to Build Lapstrake Wooden Boats by John Brooks. The latter is what I have been using as a guide for the boat. I am an experienced woodworker and this has been no easy project. It has been rewarding though. If you get advice from PAR, heed it. He knows his stuff.

flydog

 

If you get advice from Poida ignore it he knows bugger all.

www.glen-l.com has some info on boat building. I got their book on wooden boat building and then bought a second hand boat that I am doing up.

 

There are many resources available for novice boat builders, and much depends on what kind of boat you want to build and what materials/methods you want to work with.

Many people have started off with John Gardner's books They give step by step instructions for building traditional small boats (dories, etc.) in mostly traditional ways (i.e. not too much plywood and not much epoxy). Look him up on amazon.com - there are several books available and they're all great.

Richard Kolin's book "Building Heidi" is an excellent step by step how to book about building a 12 foot sail/row skiff the traditional way

For less traditional methods, Glen - L 's website is a good resource. Clark Craft at http://www.clarkcraft.com/ is very similar.

Also go to http://www.boatplans-online.com/proddetail.php?prod=OT16 Look around these sites and explore the links they provide and you'll find a lot of information about how plywood/epoxy boats are built.

All of these sites and their plans are very "beginner friendly".

Other resources to check out are:

http://homepages.apci.net/~michalak/ (the "way back issue archives" link has a ton of useful info. He designs may take some getting used to aesthetically, but he offers a lot of valuable advice and tips.)

http://www.instantboats.com/ will introduce you to Phil Bolger's designs and building methods. Many first timers build Bolger's boats.

There are many other sites out there, but those should get you started. For boat building books covering all the different methods, go to
http://www.woodenboatstore.com/

 

Hey Jim:
Am a beginner myself. I noticed that you did say you might be interested in restoring an older sailboat. A couple of books that I have found to be useful are:
Wooden Boat Renovation by: Jim Trefethen
and
Frame, Stem & Keel Repair by: The Woodenboat Series (Wooden Boat Magazine)
Woodenboat Magazine is a good source of information too.
As for finding your boat... Woodenboat Magazine has a classified section as well as their FREE boats at the "WOODENBOAT RESCUE FOUNDATION".

Best wishes to you and your project.

 

Okay, Seems I gotta good list to start with!
Thanks to all who have replied. When I finally find the project, I'll be sure to let eveyone know.

jeff

 

Hey Jeff.... Sorry I refered to you as Jim My mistake.

 

So not a problem man,,,,
That was my dad's name and I have been called MUCH worse!

jeff

 

Hi! Glen-L has some great little sailboats in their catalog. You can search online. I have researched them and the plans are very complete! We actually had one of their videos that they produced, too, on building and it takes you step by step.