New to boat building / woodworking

Hi all,

I am new to this as the title says but have been interested in getting started for a long time. I would like to build something that could be sail or electric powered and oriented towards a beginner. Does anyone know of any plans that they would recommend in this regard?

Thanks

 

One person, two person?
Mostly sail? Electric powered for what - fishing, pickniking, bird watching?
In the ocean or bays or lakes?
Do you want to learn to sail or to build boats?
Do you have tools?
Woodworking skills?

There are a thousand boats, and at least that many opinions on this forum.
Probably 3 -10 good boats for every combination of answers above.

Try to think about what you want to do and let us know.

You could search on Bolger boats, Solway Dory, CLCboats.com, http://www.wcha.org/build_restore/plans.html for canoes (there are lots of others), http://www.wcha.org/build_restore/plans.html for lots of more classic boats, http://bandbyachtdesigns.com/#! for more modern day sailors and more, http://dixdesign.com/ he does have some smaller boats.

You also could look in the older threads, there was someone asking the same question in the last week.

More plans a woodenboat.com and discussion in their forum.
Kayaks on the guillemot forum - http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/page/1/md/index/#m_215803 as well as boat plans on their web site.

Or one more - http://www.searunner.com/index.php/seaclipper-10

Welcome, you will probably get lots of specific suggestions, but everyone will want to know more.

 

-2 People would be ideal
-Regarding sail or electric... I don't know what I want to do... I do want to learn to sail,, and that appeals to me, but in addition I would like to be able to fish/troll/not worrying about sailing if I don't want to...
-Not ocean going, but since I live in the pacific NW it would be nice to take to bays, rivers and lakes.
-I want to learn to build boats and sail
-I have very basic woodworking tools (by basic I mean chisels, manual planer, sandpaper, square and pencils). I figured I would start to build these up as I began working.
-I have always wanted to learn woodworking since being a boy and figured this hobby could play into my boating hobby and if I was ever going to get started.... well... I'm not getting any younger.

I hope this helps clarify, at least a little bit, what is going on inside my head. Does not help I battling strep throat right now so I'm kind of in a mental fog.

I appreciate your thoughtful response and will check out those links.

 

There are two simple ways to start.

A kayak - http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/...creek-16-5-tandem-recreational-kayak-kit.html
A kit of premade plywood parts actually takes the minimum tools and time. But it does not teach you many skills in wood working. A lot of it is fiberglass and epoxy construction using plywood pieces.

CLCboats also has plans for adding sail and outriggers. http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/wooden-sailboat-kits/clc-sailrig-kayak-canoe-sailing-rig.html

Same company has small sailboats. http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/wooden-sailboat-kits/johns-sharpie-wooden-sail-boat-plans.html this one could leave the sails/ masts at home and have power added for fishing.

Good luck with the Strep.
Really looking and imagining what you want takes quite a bit of investment in time.
Unless you just pick something and go ahead.
Relax and enjoy the process.

Are there any Messabouts locally where you can see boats and talk to builders/ sailors/ rowers?

 

Again thank you for your information.

Is there a messabout directory?

 

Not that I know about.

 

Log onto >duckworksmagazine.com< and have a look around. You'll find much of what you need, from materials, plans, techniques, methods and hardware.