A complete novice with a couple of questions.

Hello everyone. Lately I've been kicking around the idea of building a canoe or kayak. I've lived in a wetland area for years and it's time to start taking advantage of it.

I want to build something that will hold my wife and me, about 350 lbs, or my father-in-law and me, about 415 lbs, and a couple of fishing rods. Most of the water I'll be in is flat calm, but the in-laws have some property on the Currituck sound and a 2-3 foot chop isn't uncommon when the wind picks up. If a jack of all trades boat isn't doable or ideal then I'll concentrate on building one for the calm water as that's what's closest to me.

A couple of other things to consider...I'd like something that I can stand up in so I can bowfish...I'm thinking some sort of outrigger would solve that. I also wouldn't mind having an optional sailing rig. The sailing rig would be neat for the in-laws property, so again, if it doesn't add up... These are things that I'd like to have in a boat but don't need. Primarily, I want something to go down the back waterways with my fishing pole.

I'd like to keep away from any kits. One, I need to keep the cost down and two, I want to build it rather than put it together. Can any of you guys give me some recommendations for styles/plans? What am I looking at spending? What about time involved and essential tools? Any must have books?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Clint

 

Wheter you buy a kit or a stack of lumber and cut the pieces, you'll be putting it together. I think kits are a great system for someone learning. Learning usually includes a lot of wasted material while you experiment. A kit will save you a lot.

 

Ever hear of an adirondak guide canoe (sometimes called a guide boat)? They are a little wider than a standard canoe, are rowed rather than paddled and can hold two men and a dog and all their fishing or hunting gear. Plus that they are big enough and wide enough to handle a little chop when the wind kicks up. However, they do require a bit of skill to build. So if you're looking for simple then it's not what you want. If you want simple look at Bolger's designs, or for a stitch and glue boat. Look at http://www.adirondack-guide-boat.com/ or http://secretwater.com/. You can see what the original guide boats looked like on the Adirondack Musuem site at http://www.adirondackhistory.org/newguides/hpicguide14.html

 

"Fibreglass boats" by Hugo Du Plessis is THE DEFINITIVE TEXTBOOK. Probably out of Print, try bookstores in Hay on Wye, U.K.

It is very simple though;

Shape what you want to make out of cardboard, wood, plasticine, PU foam etc... Then cover in Polyester Gel coat. This is called a plug!

Wax this up then cover in Polyester resin and matt (alot) maybe 1cm thick in a manner (possibly in 2 parts using a formica barrier to separate held in place with plasticine). This is a mould!!

Wax. Then paint inside of mould with Gel coat using normal paint brush. The Laminate enough fibreglass on for it to be strong. And any wooden backing for screwing other parts to (seats etc).

Its a little more complicated but not alot really! The main concern where you should use your head is heat build up with thick concentrations of resin/matt which can warp plugs/moulds.

Other than that its a cake walk. And you can do it all in your garage for very cheap, just dont tell the neighbours, or smoke beside the acetone buckets!

 

Pipex, I think that's a lot of work for one boat!

 

Here is one I designed...15 ft long, 39" wide at max beam. Neil is about 90% finished...these pics are a couple weeks old going older. It is designed to be built in Stitch and Glue. Can handle up to a 5 horse motor but should be fairly easy to row, paddle or might even handle a sail. The transom would drag and you wouldn't win any races but it would move thru the water.

Edited: See pictures in post below.


Here is the freeship linesplan



Steve

PS: Sounds like shameless self promotion, I know...but it was a collaborative effort: my free plans and his on the spot work arounds plus my answers to his questions. Just offering up another option for consideration, without renumeration.

 

Hey! go for it!

 

Steve, I can't seem to open your pictures - only the line-plan picture is showing.

 

You might have to be a member of the group...I'll copy them and see if I can get them to post here.

 

There is a new picture...Seats installed. As of this morning the boat is scheduled to get wet this evening...without motor and tomorrow with. Waiting in anticipation.
(In case you are wondering if it will be rather wobbly without frames... the bottom is foam cored plywood sandwich with heavier than usual fillets acting as longitudinal stringers (4 per side). We came up with it this way so that the floor space could be wide open for sleeping.Plus it has the spaced gunnel which acts like an I beam, stiffening the side as well.)

Steve

 

Very nice pictures, Steve - I like the seemingly simplicity of the thing!

 

That was what I was aiming at. Not quite the classic styling of a lapstrake build but more forgiving of the novice builder/woodbutcher, while still attaining about 85% of the more complicated methods shape.

Steve

 

Here's and idea for your building problems.

If you want to make a good desition on what kind of vessel to build you might want to look up Wooden Boat magazines (www.woodenboat.com) boat designs they have a wonderful selection of canoe and kayak plans. I would suggest buying the 20' Triple/Double Kayak, Osprey it would be very suitable for you needs. I hope this helps you.

 

Wooden Boat Magizine !

Excelent advice by Thors Hammer. A review of their website might also indicate a particular issue / issues where they actually built a particular canoe or kayak with instructions and photos. Would also include materials list & cost.

Best of luck

VKRUE