First boat

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Mholmes3038, Sep 22, 2022.

  1. Mholmes3038
    Joined: Sep 2022
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: Chicago

    Mholmes3038 Junior Member

    I want to start building some basic river boats. My goal is the build a 40' or larger sailboat but figured might be idea to get exp. Before building big. I've hard a really hard time finding good beginners boat building plans. Paid for a few but found them to be junk and unclear on instructions. Anyone have good boat plans for basic boat builds. I'd like to build a flat boat first. I hear they are great for rivers and easy to build. Jon boats I've heard are simplest
     
  2. Will Gilmore
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 939
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    Location: Littleton, nh

    Will Gilmore Senior Member

    Are you a beginner at woodworking?

    There are excellent plans for Optimist Dinghies and Windmills that will help with basic plywood builds, but what type of construction are you thinking for your 40 footer? Plywood or planked, cold mold, clinker, etc. Start with a dinghy that you might want as a sailing tender for your 40 footer and work on the same construction techniques for that. Assuming you are only going to build two or three boats, and not go into the business, stay with the techniques you will need for that final build.
     
    bajansailor likes this.
  3. Rod Tait
    Joined: Apr 2005
    Posts: 51
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    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Rod Tait Junior Member

    I think you will find that plans for larger boats are very detailed, but will not come with a building manual, like smaller boats. It would be assumed that you are an experienced boat builder. I would start by getting a hold of a lot of books and there is always YouTube.
     
  4. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    For a complete description of how to go about building your first wooden boat (with plans and instructions) try H H "Dynamite" Payson's three books; Instant boats, Instant Boatbuilding with Dynamite Payson, and Build the New Instant Boats. These are simple stitch and glue designs but his prams, skiffs, or Gloucester Light Dory are perfect first boat builds.

    A little harder to find is John Guzzwell's Modern Wood Yacht Construction, this covers all hull forms in a how-to way.

    Finally, there are other construction materials such as FRP and metal. Those require specific skills and tooling not generally available to the home builder. Plus building a cheap wooden boat first get you into the process and jargon.
     
  5. Mholmes3038
    Joined: Sep 2022
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: Chicago

    Mholmes3038 Junior Member

    Thanks guys very helpful stuff. I've also looked at youtube. Its very helpful but I think I need to learn how to use plans vs Youtube. Youtube gives general guidance but I want to make sure I'll live when I build a boat lol
     

  6. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Lakeland Fl USA

    messabout Senior Member

    You tube can be a useful source of information and how to do it stuff. You Tube can also be a terrible place to find advice. It is a sad reality that some of the people who post those how to do it videos are full of...., I mean that some of them are self identified geniuses. When in fact they are scammers and some of them are not even aware that they do not know squat about building a boat or whatever else they are selling.

    Try to find some books or articles by firmly established boatbuiding craftsmen such as Pete Culler or John Gardener.
     
    TANSL likes this.
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