newbie here would like to build a 15 ft open boat

how many center console boats in the 16 ft range have a 100 or better? take out the pulpit and steer at the tiller.

 

if i wanted a boat that was already out there i would just buy one. i want to build my own unique boat

 

possibly im overqualified and shouldn't ask questions but i do have so many questions.

 

if the lumberyard has lumber that is stamped }sitka{ spruce is that good boat building stuff? 2x4 thru 2x12 by 16 ft.

 

If it is trully Sitka Spruce it is light weight and a good lumber for boat building. Normally you see 1 x stock not 2 x.

 

yes its very light and strong

 

i guess i better call around and see which one it was. all the yards have two types of lumber, fir or spruce and one or 3 of them here locally its stamped sitka spruce

 

its all 2x though
im thinking i need the back half of the boat have thicker frames and maybe have them get smaller out front down to thin steam bent in the nose

 

Will I be charged with negativity if I point out that none of the overpowered boats you posted pic's of were open skiffs?

They all had significant deck structure. A tube is a lot stronger than an open trough....

 

well , it wasnt exactly positive , nor did it add any content helpful.

maybe you could chime in and say something like this.....Well mike you could beef up the seats as additional suport, try to gain strength with a good transom and knee brace connected to a significant keel member, tie it to a strong shear board, and with some other considerations, you could build a boat like you are talking about, it would be kinda heavy and probably not very fast but would be unique creation by you.

 

by the way troy, i like your idea of charging for negativity.pay pal accepted

 

looks nice

i wonder if its home made.

 

My guess is you would need a timber that is strong perpendicular to the grain, not just along it, to take the shock loads of a fast planing boat. That may demand a particular species, cut in a specific way (consult a website where the various sawing angles are explained), and certainly free of knots. Wood is not an homogenous material unfortunately, and ply is an attempt to overcome that shortcoming. Your project is a pretty difficult and potentially time consuming one. Not, I hope, as long-winded as a guy I know who has been restoring a vintage car for 40 years and still not done !

 

Here is a site with some traditional old boat plans for free, some are decent and can be beefed up for what you want.

http://www.svensons.com/boat/


I would use doug fir, not sitka spruce. Doug Fir is stronger and more rot resistant, and easier to find, it has better fastener holding power as well. It weighs more but for the power you are talking about I think a better choice. Find SS rated or better in the lumber yard and it will work out fine.

good luck.

 

lapstrake with plywood , big frames and keel board aft with each one forward a little smaller,paint the outside, clear inside.