First Boat

Hi everyone.
Im 15 and I want to build a relatively small flat bottomed boat that is around 10'-12' long and 4' wide and was wondering all the materials I would need to build it and if anyone has plans or an idea on how to put it together.

Thanks for any help

 

Hi, take a look here, they are old plans but FREE and there may be something that will give you some idea of what you are getting into...

http://www.svensons.com/boat/

finavar

 

would I need bowed sides or could they be straight?

 

Why not start out on a restoration?There are some great small wooden boats up your way.While you are in the process of restoring them you will learn the basic stuff you will need to know when you decide to build your boat.I find wooden skiffs by looking in junkyards, or grown up yards,they are piled up in the woods beside a creek,lake,river or sound.I would bet there are a dozen of old wooden boats within a mile of you.The old fellar down the street may have one in his garage, for sale at a low price,you never know. You will learn the secrets of the Woodright that built your craft while you restore it, he may have put out a dozen boats that year but yours is different,special, they all are. You will also preserve one more link to the past that otherwise may have rotted away and your friends will be jealous when they see it.It's fun getting in there and scraping that old paint away,you can see the original colors the boat was originally painted with while you plan your own paint scheme.Its all worth it, in the end when you look at something unique, thats really yours, I promise you will forget about all the work.Just remember,read everything you can on wooden boat restoration before you decide,it can be fun but the mess you are scraping and sanding can be hazardous, you have to wear the proper dust mask or sometimes a respirator.You need to protect yourself, your hands and eyes and breathing, whether you are bulding new or restoring.Take the trouble to read the instructions about safety, its important.Once you get comfortable wearing personal protective safety gear, vinyl gloves(100 pair for seven dollars,you need them),Tyvec suits(about 9 dollars a piece,but you can use them over and over),and most important, at least a half face respirator with Organic Vapor cartridges installed(60 bucks,but a good silicone mask will last till you are out of college),you will be ready to start your first project.Look around for a boat that means something to you!The style, shape, some old salty story or your uncles boat, choose one you that means something to you. Its like finding treasure, many times the people are relieved to be rid of it, and will give it away free.But they usually are in poor condition and should not be used until an adult with experience in wooden boats deems it sea-worthy. Try to find a small boat to start with,if you feel good about it hesitate 3 times before you buy it until you can ask someones opinion you trust.Alway wear flotation vest, or PFD when you are out on the water, I don't care how good you can swim.Take someone with you when you go on the water!Let me know what you decide to do, I ll help in any way I can.

 

Canky, there are literally thousands of build-it-yourself boat designs that fit your description "out there" in the boaty world, and about a dozen different construction methods. The good folks here on this forum - me included - all have their favourite boat type and favourite construction method that they will want you to build/use. For the most part, they are all correct. It will get very confusing while you try to pick just one.

With no intention to sleight any of the good souls here, I think I may be in a bit of a good spot to help you. I am a designer who specializes in small craft, I've been a boatbuilder for a while, and I'm a certified wooden boat nut. I helped found an association (Small Wooden Boat Assoc. of Nova Scotia, or 'SWBANS') that encourages and assists "newby" boatbuilders get their first boat done. I can help you make the decisions you need to make about what type, size, and construction method to use, and from there I can guide you to designs that will fit your needs and skill level. Contact me through my posted e-mail address in my profile, and we can talk a bit more at length. In the meantime, consider these questions:

Do you want a rowing, sailing, or outboard powered boat?
Where are you going to use the boat - in a lake, river, seaside bay?
What do you want to use the boat for - fishing, shoreline camping, simply messing about?
How are you going to get the boat from home to water? Is it far?
Will the boat stay in the water most of the time, like tied to a wharf at the cottage, or will it come home and live under a tarp in the backyard when not being used?
How much money will you or your folks be willing to pay to get this boat done?

Don't be scared off by my pushy questions. If you're going to build a boat, it might as well be the one you want, and if you answer those questions honestly, you are halfway to getting the boat you will be happy with. And heavens knows I want to see more people building wooden boats!


EDIT TO ADD: If you contact me by e-mail, be sure to tell your folks about it first, or have them contact me. It is the safest way for all of us. OK?

 

Cank ; Check out www.spirainternational.com

 

Plans

Canky,
Take a look at www.gatorboats.com, we have a nice little flat bottom design called the "Big Mamma" that sounds just about like what you need. The website also has a ton of novice builder info and a forum for current builders to share ideas.
Let me know if I can help,
Henry C.
Gator Boat Co.