Building a kit boat

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Elza_Skip

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Folks

Having read the article in FBO on building a pocket cruise I have decided to buy a boat kit. I am fairly capable DIY with large Garage but plan to start something a little more modest.

Probably 2-3 metre that can row, motor or sail.

So any forumites have an experience in this field and any hints and tips they would like to share?
 
I would not contemplate building a boat of that size. Or for that matter any size.
Fibreglass is the best material for a boat and this is best produced in a mold in a factory where many examples are built cheaply (and well). Aluminium iis very good and popular in Oz
If you want a dinghy, if around your home is anything like mine there are loads of dinghies to be had for very little money. indeed I have a 10ft fibreglass dinghy you could have for 60 or 70 squid. I got a nice aluminium 11ft for 70 squid.so fibreglass has been replaced. I use it as a tender. It is left locked up on the water front.
If you enjoy your dinghy it is almost certain you will want something bigger with shelter so just look out for s/h.

On the other hand if you want a project and the building (and pride in building) is the attraction then building in wood is the way to go. You can build from plans or kit. So have fun. olewill
 
I built a Yachting World 9ft pram dinghy in my garage some years ago. Built out of marine ply and with dagger board and sails. It is wood and needs the appropriate care, but it rows and sails well for a little boat and the making was not outside my modest skills. The plans may still be available.
I am currently trying to get rid of it, I'm too old and weak now to get it onto my car roof.

Francis Rutter
 
I have built 4 boats

A Mirror dinghy from a kit with practically all parts pre cut to size and shape.

A canoe (plywood), again from a kit with all parts supplied cut to size and shape.

A 19ft GRP Sailing cruiser. Again from a kit with all the GRP mouldings supplied but nothing (except the rudder!) preassembled.

An 8ft ply dinghy to my own design and obviously nothing supplied precut.

I would not dissuade anyone with good general DIY skill from having a go. Traditional woodworking skills are barely relevant though.

These days with plenty of second hand craft available that would be the cheaper option .. but its not the same!
 
I'd agree with most of the above - it doesn't make economic sense, but there are plenty of other good reasons to build a boat. I built 'Jaqui' a couple of years ago and it was a great boat as well as being fun to build. The stitch and glue method is quick and easy so a good way to start.
http://www.epoxy-resins.co.uk/plans/freeplans.html

The other reason to self-build is if you can't find quite what you want/need on the market - at some point next year I intend to build a nesting dingy that fits nicely on my deck, but I'll probably adapt an existing design to a greater or smaller extent.
 
Hi,
As a reasonably competent DIYer that will have a go at most jobs I fancied the idea of building a small day-boat or over night trailer-sailor and really fancy one of these...

http://www.whisperboats.co.uk/secret-09.html

But rather than jump in at the deep end I used my young son as an excuse to build a smaller dinghy that will sail, row or motor. It had to be something stable for him to learn to sail but small enough to go on a car roof or foredeck of my boat.

I ended up buying the plans for a PBO Pup and it is almost finished (see my blog).

It's been a really enjoyable process and has allowed me to learn and refine lots of different skills that would be needed for a bigger project.

All I can say is that if you have the time and think you would enjoy the process, go ahead and get stuck in, there is a great deal of satisfaction to be had. However, if you lack the time and just want to get out on the water then buy a dinghy, it will be cheaper and easier.

I hope my thoughts help…
 
Can I suggest that you purchase a book "Build the New Instant Boats" by Harold 'Dynamite' Payson available from the Boatbuilders Bookshop at £12.99 as apart from being a good read is a step by step guide with plans of several Phil Bolger designs,who was arguably one of the most prolific small boat designers.Most are of stitch and glue construction.H Payson also has a website, is the author of 'Model Boatbuiding' with several designs there by P Bolger and the fullsize dimensions.He is a professional boatbuilder and is a superb instructor in the building of small dory types as well. As an aside, he encourages the photocopying of the plans in the books. I just need space to build the full size jobs,which include powercraft. He can supply full size plans also. certainly a good first step.


ianat182
 
Many thanks all for your thoughts

My main reason is for the fun of the build and the achievement rather than the economics. On that basis the concensus seems to be to go for it!

I just need to choose the right kit now and clear the junk out of the garage!
 
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