Anybody Here Ever Built a Boat?

It was on my bucket list to build--a small 1- or 2-sheet plywood one. There are a lot of free plans on the Internet.

I still might, but for now, I decided against it for a few reasons.

First, really too small. Second, too heavy for what it is. And just too much work.

You're right about the modern Jon boats being pretty expensive, but they're so strong, spacious, relatively light and properly designed that they're just worth the money.

 

Building a boat takes a ton of time. Really. There are so many free or near free hulls sitting out there it makes no sense at all unless you just want the wood working fun.

 

I built one when I was 12. I did overlook one detail. It wasn't waterproof.

It was fun in the river...for about 100 yards.

 

I helped my dad build one from a set of plans my brother sent. 8'long and mostly all 1/2" plywood.
We beefed it up a by covering it with at least a thin layer of fiberglass and doubling up the thickness of the transom.
I also mounted two of my old skateboard trucks on top of the transom so it could be flipped over and rolled around easily.
One other feature we added was big chunks of Styrofoam built inside the 3 seats for positive flotation.
Painted sorta Seafoam Green.
Great fun.

 

Buy a used aluminum flat.

 

Yeah. They just make the most sense.

Now, if I wanted to build a boat and had the skills (I don't), I would do a canoe.

 

We've got a couple forum members named Noah, maybe check with them

 

And if I built a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
I said me upon my pony on my boat

 

Does Lego count

 

I've built boats - not a joke! I used to work for Brunswick powersports. These are luxury pontoon boats. What are you looking to do? I mean are you wanting to build one, or restore one that you already have?

 

I’ve been in and around boatbuilding my whole life. All composites, though. I don’t really recommend wooden boats because they are maintenance nightmares. Plus they are heavy.

But lots of DIY’ers have built small boats using a technique called “stitch and glue”. There’s a wealth of how-to info on the web. The marine plywood used is the main structural element, but it’s held together, reinforced, and waterproofed with epoxy resin and fiber (usually common fiberglass).

Building in buoyancy, as @RodeoTex says, is extremely good advice that could save your life.

And think about how you’re going to transport/store the thing while you’re building - lifting eyes, and/or some kind of wheel attachments (also mentioned by @RodeoTex) will come in handy.

 

My father and I built an eighteen foot river canoe, fiberglass over wood frame. Loved that boat!

Bob

 

I know where you're coming from. I've toyed with the idea of building a wooden boat for a long time and even purchased a few how-to books on boat building but being honest with myself, I just don't think I'd get to the finish line with the build. My buddy who builds homes has said "sometimes the dream is much different than the reality". At least in my case I believe that may be true.

There are lots of wood boats out there needing rescue that will require a good bit of work and I'm thinking if I do move forward that is the direction I'll go. At least in that case there is a complete hull designed by smarter folks than I and you get the sense of satisfaction that comes with saving something others had left for dead.

 

http://www.unclejohns.com/skiff/wooden_boat_kits.htm

These plans get great reviews.

 

http://www.lciboatshow.com/

I would like to go to this show this year, heck I'm just awed by the pictures of the past shows.
They have boat building workshops up there.

 

I built a boat a long, long, long time ago. Building the boat was hard. Getting two of every creature on it was harder. Some might say... impossible.

 

Built a kayak back after college for a planned voyage down the Missouri. It looked simple enough, but it wasn't. Lots of work, lots of mistakes that needed to be redone, lots of time. You have to REALLY want to do a project like that to keep interested after the set-backs.

 

I’ve built a few. From 12’-65’. You can get a couple sheets of 4’x8’ 1/8” aluminum for about $80 a sheet. Why build a plywood boat.