How Do I Build a Small Rowboat?

Question

I'm looking into building a tiny rowboat that will be inexpensive to build. It needs to have room for me and a dog, at the least. I'm 5'2", about 120 lbs. I have $109 US dollars to spend on it.

Answer 1

How about TWO for $109.00?

You need 1 sheet of 1/4" plywood (luan works but may not last as long). About 40' of 1/4' spruce, a couple pounds of panelling nails, and a tube of polyurethane construction adhesive. The plans also call for a bit of foam insulation board, and a piece of 2x4 about 2' in length.

If there is a house being built near you, ask to go through the scrap pile. You will probably find a lot free!

I have built this thing, I weigh 260 lbs and it floats even with my lard butt in it! I made the oars from a solid piece of 1x6, I think it looks better, and made my own oar locks.

Even if you have to purchase all the materials, it should only cost around $50.00. That will leave you $59.00 which I would suggest you spend for life jackets!

Here is the link you need;http://www3.sympatico.ca/herbert.mcleod/...

Good Luck!

_---------EDIT PART---------

I forgot to add a couple of other links;

http://www.svensons.com/boat/

http://boatbuilding.eigenstart.nl/

This is from the very first site I gave you, http://www3.sympatico.ca/herbert.mcleod/...

Look at the second picture (Bradley Boerger) There is your boat, boy, and dog! What else could you want?

Answer 2

do a google search and you'll come up with tons of them to choose from.

Answer 3

WOW!

     That is a very ambitious project for only $109.00.  However...  

If you can round up 3 (4'x8') 1/4" sheets of plywood and 1 3/4" (4'x8') sheet - get yourself a 1/2 gallon of boat epoxy, and you have access to get the following lumber:

16' of 1"x4"

12' of 1"x3"

12' of 1"x6"

12' of 1"x2"

12' of 1"x1"

and you can get the following:

Flat head wood type with slotted or cross heads in bronze or hot-dipped galvanized steel scews the following sizes:  

3/4" #8 - 4 doz.  1" #8 - 6 doz.  1 1/2" #8 - 1 Gross

and...  

3/4" #14 Nails - 1 lb.  1-1/4" #12 Nails - 1 lb.  

(all ring-type boat nails in bronze)

Then you are in business...

The link below has plans that show how to put all of the above together - to build your self a "jon" boat.  They also have  

several boat building plans and instructions for a couple of choices for small row and sail... that can be built for under $400 (I personally don't think you can even buy 2 oars and 2 oar locks for much under $50... So, I think you are going to have to save up a bit more money.

But hey... where there is a will, there is a way!

Happy & Safe Boating!

https://www.boatdesigns.com/departments....

Answer 4

There are lots of "single sheet" options available for stitch-and-glue boatbuilding. For a rowboat and for a first-time boatbuilder, this is one of my favorites, although I'm intrigued by the skiff posted by br549. I really liked the Whitehall in Capt. Jim's post, but that's WAY beyond my meager skills!

http://www.floatingbear.ca/MOUSE.HTM