New Member Into / Build Suggestions?

Hello All,

I'm the new guy. I'm 34 years old and a electrician by trade. I live in NW Oregon where I boat all year, ocean, rivers, bays and lakes. I have had boats most of my life though I never paid much attention to their design. I am fairly competent mechanically and I am a fair enough woodworker.

I would like to try my hand at building a pair of 16' V bottom skiffs from wood for the possibility of renting them out as fishing boats. I am looking for something that would resemble a Smoker Craft Alaskan boat. 14' - 16' in length with a nice wide stable bottom with a slight V to it. High sides and bow is a big plus around here, open spacious floor plan also nice.

I have searched several boat building sites for plans but nothing so far has been found. If you know of anything that might be what I am looking for I would really like to hear from you. Thank you for your time.

 

Millions of boat plans on the Internet. You should clarify the type of construction. Most are plywood and epoxy. Probably the best way to go.

Also many plans for Plywood on wood frame with less epoxy use.

You might clarify whether this 16 footer is low power....ie twist grip 10 hp or high power with console.

Have a look at Woodenboat magazine for ply on frame.

And get google going. sites like GlenL, Bateau , Devlin, ............

Dont forget boats like the Simmons sea skiff and the Bartender, boats by Bolger and Harry Bryan

For low power, plywood on frame skiffs, the FAO United Nations skiff is very well designed.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5649e/y5649e00.HTM


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Thank you Michael. I would like to build them with plywood epoxy construction as these will be my first ever boat builds. These 16' boats will be low powered 9.9HP outboards as the State or Oregon requires a boating license to operate boats with greater than 10HP and I have several 9.9HP trolling motors.

I really like the boat in the picture in your post! That could work just fine for my needs. I will search the names you listed. Thank you again.

 

That boat pictured is the FAO United Nations design that is supplied to developing countries. The plans are in the link, Very nice low power skiffs. I think that boat is the 6 meter design.

I also like the point comfort skiff by D. Hylan.

http://www.dhylanboats.com/plans/pointcomfort18_study_plans.pdf

An Elegant low power skiff

 

Oh my that is a very nice skiff indeed. Looks somewhat simple to build also. I wonder how it fairs for stability? Thanks again.

 

Im sure its OK. Mr Hylan is a very experienced builder, designer.

When you look for boats to build its important to choose ones that are fun to build.

Some boats are very epoxy, sandpaper intensive... they are good boats ,but not much fun to build.

Ive not seen the plans for the Point Comfort, but Im familiar with Mr Hylans philosophy and have seen plans for other designs by Hylan. His boats will be fun to build. Less epoxy, less sanding and fairing, more carpentry, joining, measuring and thinking.

You might try gooling to see if any builders with build blogs are building a design that you like.

Something like ...Point comfort 18 build blog...

 

Check out the Glen-L plans--been in business 60 + years. Lots of plans in the size you looking for. LOTS OF HELP TOO THROUGH THEIR VERY ACTIVE FORUM. Sorry for the caps. Full size plans no lofting required.https://www.glen-l.com/

 

I agree wholeheartedly having built the Hunky Dory from Glen-L and now starting on the Little Hunk. also from them.

I would strongly recommend their designs.

 

Sam Devlin Designs

Take a look at this one http://store.devlinboat.com/candlefish.aspx Sam Devlin up in the Seattle area has a lot of nice designs. He also sells a kit for this particular model. Simple stitch and sew construction and looks to be fairly sea worthy. I think his info says you can build it from scratch for $1,500 but I am not sure how long ago that price was posted. Good luck on your search

 

Thank you for the link I like that boat. I should have checked here before ordering plans from Glen L. Oh well I can build one of these next.

I ordered plans for the Glen L 151/2' WB power skiff, plans also included for a rowing version. I am going to begin my build this Saturday. Progress will be slow on Sunday due to Super Bowl. I will try to keep accurate accounting of all money and time spent on this project. Thank you all again for helping me in the right direction. I look forward to posting progress photos of the build!

 

Let the building begin...not so fast!

So, I recievd my plans and patterns from Glen L. I'm already lost. lol. I see why study plans are included. This will be fun.

 

So do the plans have dimensions on them or a lofting list? Seams like if they are not full scale it would be difficult to figure out if they don't have the lofting list of dimensions

 

These plans specified no lofting. I guess the devil is in the details. The more I look at these plans the more I see ways to calculate aproximate dimensions, though no true dimensions are given as one would expect from plans that are designed for the beginner :/ I am one tenacious individual and I like solving a good mystery, not as much as I really enjoy getting right to work on something, maximizing my time and enjoying the fruits of my labor. These plans sure could use a few extra details. I expect to be sawing wood for the form tomorrow, right or wrong I will never know if I don't make a few mistakes.

 

If it were me I would call Glen L and ask for an explanation.!!

 

I thought about calling Glen L but I am finally seeing how this all works and I am much more confident today than when I first opened the package of plans. I think I will have the form built this evening after work. I then expect the build will go along rather quickly. In truth, the plans could be a little more clear and detailed but they do contain just enough info to get the job done. I suppose I could have also ordered and watched the DVD that they offer. No worries I think I am on the right track now. After a few of these small easy boats I may be ready to move up to a Tolman Skiff like your console boat I like that boat.