Completely new to boatbuilding and want to build a simple boat

Hi, I'm interesting in building a boat but I have no idea how to start. I'd like to build something like this:
Google Image Result for https://www.triumphboats.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Duckworks-%E2%80%93-A-Lightweight-Jon-Boat.jpg https://images.app.goo.gl/1A9uyCSgSvb2uSJm7

I'm working on a very tight budget (about $200). Could I have an idea of how I would go about building a boat on this budget?

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum.
I hate to dash your dreams, but

That's a really tight budget.
The engine alone exceeds you budget.
You will have to obtain most of the supplies for free.

Inferior materials could be used, but then the resulting craft won't last long.

How are you set for woodworking hand tools and the skills to use them?

 

I don't plan to have an engine on it, I'd like to build a boat that I would paddle. Maybe that type of boat wouldn't be what I'd want. I'm not really sure. I don't have much woodworking skills.

 

Here is a great video on building a simple low cost boat.

 

Hmmm. After reading your last post; you might want to start on something super simple.

look for 'one sheet of plywood' plans

 

Let's go to the beginning.

What is your SOR statement of requirements.
What do you want to do with the boat? On what types of waters?
Paddle or row? How many people for how long of trip?

The more information you give, the better we can advise.

 

I'd like a boat that has room for me to lie back and relax. I don't plan to travel very far on it, just spend some time on a lake. I'd prefer to paddle.

 

Fallguy gave spot on advice.
There should be a "one sheet" boat that will fit your needs well.

I think vessels over 3 feet wide are a bit difficult to paddle and are better rowed.

Be sure to fork out for marine plywood. It could last for decades while the interior stuff won't last a year.

 

Is it the building of the boat that interests you or is it the lazy days on the water for $200 you want?

I take it, that means you also don't have a shop in your garage. Saw horses, circular saw, jigsaw, belt sander, a table saw would really be helpful, and a passle of bar clamps.

If you're looking for a project to learn woodworking skills on, great, keep going the way you are going, but if you are really just interested in a cheap way to get on the water, Craigslist is a better approach.

When I was a kid, we had a little one sheet double ended punt with boxed foam in the end, designed and built by Clark Mills that used a kayak paddle. Very simple, straight forward construction. You could build something like that very easily with just hand held power tools and a pair of saw horses. It could cost almost $150 for just the marine plywood.

(Correction, 5/32" merranti for $49 a sheet. Not bad at all. https://www.boulterplywood.com/MarinePlywood_4.htm)

 

Here are free plans for a few simple one sheet boats.

Hannu's Boatyard | Free Boat Plans http://hvartial.kapsi.fi/#XX1

There are also free plans for slightly larger boats on the website.

 

Actually, exterior plywood will last several years. I have built plenty of boats with it. As a first time boatbuilder you will make a lot of mistakes. That mean a lot of wasted material. Exterior plywood will result in cheaper mistakes. As far as learning to build, they would be equivalent. There is a lot of misinformation about exterior grade plywood. Look at plywood scraps that have been laying on the ground out in the weather. They take more than a year to delaminate and fall apart.

 

I checked out Home Depot's website and couldn't find exterior grade plywood in less than 1/2 inch. I think one sheet boats should be 1/4 inch or less. The prices weren't actually that much cheaper than the marine grade merranti above, unless you don't care what the surface quality is like (ULX/CDX). Note: some underlayment ply is described as complying to Overlay or Better (OVL/BTR). This is in reference to finish quality, not weatherability. OVL/BTR may contain dead knots and knot holes.

I didn't spend a lot of time looking. If you can find 1/4 inch ground contact or exterior grade plywood, I agree with gonzo, go with the cheaper option.

 

Paint it with copper naphthenate to make it last longer.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_naphthenate

 

1/4 plywood from Homedepot:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-BC-Sanded-Pine-Plywood-235552/100063669

1/5 plywood
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-5-in-...Underlayment-Specialty-Panel-431178/203183010