How do i go about building a boat?

Question

is there any website with instructions?either timber or fibre glass.imagine how it would feel to launch a boat you built yourself,i would love it.

Answer 1

It really depends on what kind and how large a boat you want to build.

The easist are probalby west system plywood/epoxy fiberglass boats.  Stich and glue is one easy method for runabouts.    Wood strip boats are beautiful and pracical (sealed with epoxy and mat, but you see the wood right through it)  They have the durability of glass and beauty of wood.   For sailboats Wharram makes a number of catamaran designs.

If you are talking about a larger boat, your best economic bet might be to purchase an old boat with a solid hull and re-do the interior the way you like it.  building from scratch is expensive and extremly time consuming.

http://www.bateau.com/?gclid=CLCH_OCUtJU...

http://www.glen-l.com/

http://www.cmdboats.com/index.htm

Answer 2

Don't forget, there are also many good books, remember them, about building boats

Answer 3

Just like you would build a custom car body from fiberglass.

First, design your boat on paper, keep in mind that your weight and the boat motors weight will have to be equally distributed or your boat will not ride level in the water.

Start by using scrap sheets of anything that is flexible. Use tape to shape your scrap material into the hull design you want. This is a crude but effective mold.

Turn it upside down, and start laying sheets of fiberglass on the mold you just made from scrap. Keep laying layers of fiber glass until you reach the thickness desired. If you apply the fiber glass properly, the outside will flatten and be smooth.

Turn it over, remove your mold materials. If you are going to have a motor pushing it, you should cut some wooden bracing to fit inside the hull. Attach it to the inside of the hull using more fiber glass. You can attach the floor, seats and upholstered sides to the wooden bracing.

Even if you don't add bracing, you should add a couple of layers of fiber glass to smooth the interior of the hull.

Do the same thing with the deck. Just make sure the deck will fit on the hull. When done with the deck, attach the hull to the deck using fiberglass. Check for rough spots,sand with very fine wet sand paper, and then paint with a quality fiberglass approved paint.

Go have fun.

Answer 4

Start small. Build some models and be sure what you want first.

It sounds like a way to waste a lot of money if it is done poorly.

Answer 5

go to Glen-L.com.for plans and links

Answer 6

I JUST asked the same question

Answer 7

Go here;http://boatbuilding.eigenstart.nl/

0r here;http://www.svensons.com/boat/

Choose one you like and build away! It is a fun project.

Answer 8

publi librarys have boat building books with plans and instructions.

Answer 9

If you want something KISS take a look at www.pdracer.com

Gordon

Answer 10

I have been refurbishing and building boats for years and the most informative site I have found for the DIYer is Iboats.com.

Glen L has tons of great plans but without the fundamental know how they wont do you much good.

Iboats.com has great forums covering every aspect of construction and repair with tons of answers coming from amazingly knowledgeable people.

Answer 11

As Pedro said, glen-l.com is good. I built my first boat from plans bought at bateau.com.  I built an 18' work skiff. Turned out beautiful, and the plans were cheap- VERY self-explanatory. You can do it with materials bought at Home Depot, with the exception of the fiberglass.

Answer 12

For a first time boat builder, do a Google search on "stitch and glue" plywood boat building. There are lots of plans available online for free, many of which are designed specifically to be done with a single sheet of marine plywood. If you use zip-ties everywhere the plans say to use wire for the stitches, you can probably complete one of these in a weekend.  

Answer 13

  you can buy a boat kit  and do it your self