Building a Boat?

Question

Some freinds and I, we would like to build a boat, about 30-50 feet. We dont want to use fiberglass, we want to use wood. What kind should we use? how would we treat or cure it or seal it to make it waterproof and would it hurt to place a thin layer of metal on the outside of the boat to protect it from the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune? any info regarding a power method and construction would be majorly appreciated

Answer 1

Make a male mold...plug and cover it in plastic vapour barrier. Then with a router make a bunch of bead and cove strips of cedar(light)...then tack it all on the mold while embedding it all in epoxy.

Search the "West System Epoxy" and "Gudgeon Brothers"

Also grab a copy of " Wooden Boat" Magazine...they have a bunch of articles of use to you as well as many useful books for sale in their virtual book store.

Answer 2

Evidently money is no object, a 12 Ft row boat would cost between $600.00 and $1000.00 and would take 6 to 8 weeks.  depending on the weather.

You may want to re think the size a little.

Just in case, we wish you the best of Luck

Answer 3

There's a marine architect named George Beuhler who wrote a great book on backyard boatbuilding.   You can find a link to the book at his website www.dieselducks.com

Good luck!

Answer 4

I personally wouldn't build a 30 to 50 footer and I used to build boats for a living.  Your first project should be small, under 16 feet and that will teach you the basics.  There are several good books like 50 Small Craft You Can Build and Phil Bolgers book of small boats. Wooden Boat Magazine is fantastic and actually has plans for small boats for sale in the back of the magazine.   As for materials I would use Oak and Juniper for frame and hull and Mahogany and teak for decoration.  Interesting thought about the metal sheeting on the bottom as that hasn't been done since the mid 1800's as a defense against the taredo worm.  Most modern epoxy barrier coats and bottom paints should serve you well if you haul the boat every year for a bottom job.  (Application of Anti-fouling paint done every year to prevent barnacles and taredo worms.)  Your next boat can be larger but boats with more than one owner often run into problems of a personal nature.  I hope this sheds some light on the subject for you.

Answer 5

A wiser man than me once said "you build your first boat for your enemy, you build your second boat for your friend and the third one you keep"

Answer 6

Go small, go small, go small.

If you build a boat that big you will never speak to those friends again.