Anybody built their own boat?

[LilBastage]

I'm thinking about building a wooden boat. I have a couple of places to get plans and I've been studying them a great deal.

My wife thinks I'm nuts (she already did anyway) and my Father in Law is saying to go for it.

I'm thinking of an 18 ft. sailboat with a small cabin (sleeping for 2 below and 2 on deck) or a cabin cruiser with similar sleeping arrangements.

Has anyone here ever done this? Any advice, tips, naysayers?

 

[Burnt Tongue]

What are you doing up so early? My Dad built a boat when I was very young, to young to help. It was about 24' as I remember. He put a small inboard ChrisCraft engine in it. I think it took him about 2 years to complete. He had more fun building it then using it. I think you will need to budget a lot of money, boating parts are very expensive. I think you should do it if you have the time and money, go for it!


Edit:

I think you should name it 'The LilBastage'.

 

[Strayvector]

Does origami boats count? Largest I've ever built for my daughter I think is 18". Let me know if I can help in any way. I think I've still got the plans around here

Good luck on the project.

 

[Strayvector]

BTW, my biggest advice is not to go cheap and use good construction paper. The crisper the better and plastic coated. This'll allow it to stay afloat longer and not soak up the water as fast.

 

[Infinity]

You are nuts! :whistling:

Yes, I built my own 42' yacht. I love hard work, I would go down quite often to see how the builder was getting on :laugh:

However, I did install all the plumbing and I did learn all about diesel engines.

Brian

 

[NullSmurf]

I'm thinking about building a wooden boat. I have a couple of places to get plans and I've been studying them a great deal.

My wife thinks I'm nuts (she already did anyway) and my Father in Law is saying to go for it.

I'm thinking of an 18 ft. sailboat with a small cabin (sleeping for 2 below and 2 on deck) or a cabin cruiser with similar sleeping arrangements.

Has anyone here ever done this? Any advice, tips, naysayers?

I've been building scale boats for years. I considered doing as you plan, but here in Colorado, decent lakes are hard to come by. There are a ton of post war plans on the Internet for everything from runabouts and day sailors to some pretty fancy cabin cruisers. Be careful of weight and build in good access for critical components (so you can work on it if it breaks).

 

[LilBastage]

Thanks for the replies and encouragement.

The origami may just be the way to go. It sure would save some money! I don't know where I could find sheets of paper large enough, though...:laugh:


This is about the most ambitious project I've ever talked myself into. I figure I'll stretch it out over a few years to minimize the hit to the pocket (thus helping to keep the wife on board) and to really make sure the work is done well. I have some wood working experience, but this will give me a lot to learn. I may even start smaller to get some of the techniques worked out. I could use a new fishing boat.

I hope to get this started in the next year and ready to launch by 2010.

 

[jgohlke]

Go for it. I've only built one in my dreams....I've often thought if I could have any job it would be shipwright. Very cool. Be sure and let us know how it goes.

 

[Ludwig]

You are nuts! :whistling:

Yes, I built my own 42' yacht. I love hard work, I would go down quite often to see how the builder was getting on :laugh:

However, I did install all the plumbing and I did learn all about diesel engines.

Brian

Hrrrm do I sense a San Diego Herf on your 42 footer in the near future ???