Building your own boat

[dvideohd]

We are building this Spring..

We're building a dinghy this spring... Starting from a kit design and adding a few of our own twists...

Plans are from Chesapeake Light Crafts
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/...emaker-take-apart-dinghy-wooden-boat-kit.html

This is mainly so my sons and daughter can start learning from scratch. Everything is new to them - and working with Fiberglass, Epoxy, Plywood and the associated tools are all something they have not done.

A take apart dinghy will fit on the pickup truck, we can take to local lakes and sail or row... can use it as the auxiliary for our boat...... can even put a small electric motor on it for general use...

**********
Do you remember the first time your built a boat? It's a good thing to see young men and women develop skills they can use for a lifetime...

--jerry

(BTW - I am not assoiciated with CLC -- but do just admire the hell out of how they do things and many people are learning...)

 

[Amulet]

Not me, but my father did, I still have her. See the Amulet story *click*

 

[maxcampbell]

If you want to build

I built a boat from a kit, and am very glad I did.

I loved the building work - I'm not a craftsman (still can't hang a door) but with good design anyone can build a boat that they will have real confidence in.

For me it was either buy a second-hand boat that would depreciate more, and who's weaknesses and faults I wouldn't know, or spend on a kit and add value. OK I only "earned" a couple of pounds per hour, but not only is the boat worth more than the kit, I know every hidden inch of her.

It does take longer than you think at the outset, but the feeling of sailing a boat you've built makes it worthwhile, to me. I'd do it again.

 

[bluemoongaffer]

Who has done it?
Yes, built from plans (Golant Gaffer)

Did you complete it?
Yes, took 7 years though. Finished in 2006

Was it worth the effort compared to buying one ready to sail?
Yes, the sense of achievement is there every time I get on board. Plus, and this is the main thing for me, she sails well. I think if she wasn't fun to sail I'd lose interest and be a bit fed up about the time I'd spent.

Have you spent as many hours sailing it as you did building?
Not yet, it took about 2,000 hours to build. I get about 200 hours sailing a year

Would you do it again?
No, it was a lot of work - evenings, weekends and epoxy is messy stuff to work with.


Was it as much work as you expected?
More, much more

And did the fact that you built it give you more or less confidence in its seaworthiness?
Interesting question. Partly this is down to the designer. I had confidence in his work and I built to his recommendations and made sure I used correct spec wood / glues / fastenings etc, so yes, I'm confident. It helps when you know that others have built the same design and are sailing without problems.

Did you enjoy the building as much, or more than, the sailing or couldn't you wait to get it afloat?
Couldn't wait to get her afloat

Are you thinking of building a boat? If so, double the time and money you've already thought you'll need!

Best Paul

 

[boatmike]

Who has done it?
Me... Several times, last was my present boat built from bare mouldings (not a kit)
Did you complete it?
Of course!
Was it worth the effort compared to buying one ready to sail?
Yes cos I know what is in it and I saved about £50K
Have you spent as many hours sailing it as you did building?
Not yet... but close.
Would you do it again?
Not bloody likely. I am getting too old for hard work!
Was it as much work as you expected?
Yes.
And did the fact that you built it give you more or less confidence in its seaworthiness?
Much more. Some of the "yard" built boats were of dubious build quality.
Did you enjoy the building as much, or more than, the sailing or couldn't you wait to get it afloat?
Busmans holiday really. Used to build for other people so not a novelty. Now I just enjoy sailing...