Which material can be used instead of fibre?

Question

my boyfriend wants to build his own boat, and he is finding something more cheaper than the fibre, but that could be good as the fibre is. which material he can use?

Answer 1

well the only other real alternatives are timber, aluminium/steel, plastic  or another composite.

any other composite will be more expensive though, ie carbon/kevlar..

If he uses a good marine ply and builds a good frame this would perhaps be the cheapest and easiest if he's not proficient and frankly highly skilled in composite work.

Obviously any metal would be beyond the scope of a DIY project. Plastic is ugly (in my opinion!) and same goes as for metal.

The resin he uses will be the true reflection of cost.. epoxy is very expensive, polyester resin is much cheaper and more appropriate.

Personally I'd go timber. People have made boats out of corks and the likes but that wouldn't be advisable!

Answer 2

If looks are not a problem and he wants to just get out on the water, may I suggest a small home built boat.  I saw a boat that you can build for around $100.  It is not pretty, but it will float and it is not much $$$.

It is called a PD Racer.

Here is the link - with free plans and all:

http://homepage.mac.com/peterhyndman/PDR...

http://www.pdracer.com/