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| Boat Building Plans: How Do I Start To Build A Boat? |
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Starting a do-it-yourself project requires a high-quality set of boat building plans, patterns or drawings in a choice of construction methods, designs, and styles.
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If you're had the idea of constructing a flats boat for use on still bodies of water for fishing trips, a sailboat for a quiet getaway or a houseboat to entertain friends and family - than there are a choice of high-quality detailed plans, supplies and kits.
Most of the DIY plans are intended to be within the capabilities of the novice or amateur builder – thou a modest amount of woodworking (or similar) skills are desirable.
With no particular manufacturer endorsed, expect an introduction to all possibilities - So I figure I'd share a great selection of direct links to companies offering self-build plans, patterns, and kits. All plans consist of full-size patterns, complete material lists, tools required, and with full step-by-step instructions to get a do-it-yourself project in progress in the shortest time possible. |
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| A to Z List Of Boat Building Kits |
Click on a Topic to visit plan-specific sources for a variety of distinctive self-build sail or motor-driven boats constructed in aluminum, fiberglass, stitch and glue, or wood. |
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Lake Buggy - |
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Swamp Boat - |
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Drift Boat
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Walk-around
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Sportfisher
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Row Catamaran - |
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Barrelback - |
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Islander - |
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Juneau
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Kay Largo
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Freestone Classic
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Mackinaw
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DS15
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Lo Voltage
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PowerYak
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Foamee
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Kodiak
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Classic
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Abaco
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Phantom 16 - |
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Flats Stalker 18 - |
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Fold Up
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Glass Bottom
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HB16
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12-Foot
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14-Foot
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Eagle FG
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Huck Finn
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Prameke
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Nutshell
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Dory
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Alexa's Rocket
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Vagabond
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Caravelle
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Sport Boat
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Flat Skiff
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Mangusta
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Center Console
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Flats Boat
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Sailing Dinghy
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Electric Boat
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Paddlewheel Boat
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Goliath
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| Boat Building Methods |
Plywood, fiberglass, aluminum and steel are the most common construction materials seen with the amateur plans. Build methods include stitch and glue, strip planking, panel assemble, cold molded, and plank on frame.
Building in plywood with the stitch and glue technique is often seen as the easiest technique to build in. For someone that has basic carpentry knowledge - plywood is going to be the preferred build material. For those with welding skills, the option of building in steel or aluminum is possible. |
| How Much Experience Do I Need To Build A Boat |
Basic woodworking abilities required for the plywood or straight-framed vessels consist of acquired knowledge of cutting, wood grain, planing, and screw fastening. Other additional skills are gained in the construction process as the build continues.
Wood boat plans complete with a detailed materials list help to determine the quantity of build materials required, which also helps in estimating the cost of the hull materials. On top of that, costs for the trim and outfit are often reliant on the degree of finish desired. Comparison shop a variety of hardware suppliers to get the most competitive build costs.
Most of the boat building kits are designed to be built with the most common or everyday hand tools. Wood-based boats, featuring in a majority of the plans, require such power-tools as a circular saw, drill, plane, and sander, and basic hand tools as a tape measure, screwdriver, chisel, sander, tape measure, plane, saber saw, clamps, etc. Other build methods, such as those constructed in steel or aluminum, often require industrial-grade tools. |
| Choosing the Boat to Build |
Its often not too difficult to decide on the type of craft to match a person's boating activities - If looking to self-construct a vessel similar to a brand-name model, than it is a case of locating a set of boat building plans to create a craft of a similar design and build to that of the manufacturers model.
Boat plans, at $39 to $724, materials, and required tools cost a lot less than that of purchasing a ready-to-sail sailboat off the showroom floor. If skilled at woodwork, its also a possibility to save more on the cost of boat building supplies if taking the time to source individual materials at the most competitive rates, rather than purchasing an all-inclusive kit.
In some cases it possible to gain a saving in the region of 25 - 45% when compared to the alternative option of purchasing a commercially built boat. Material costs are reduced drastically to offer a great way of competing a DIY project at a fraction of the cost. It might not feature all the accessories seen with the top boat manufacturers, but provided the plans are followed step-by-step and its watertight - it will do much the same work once on the water. |
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Read More in: Boat Plans & Kits |
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Boat Plan Sources:
1. AirBoatFun
2. Bateau
3. BoatPlans
4. Classic Wooden Boat Plans
5.
Glen-L
6. Montana Boat Builders
7. Specmar
8. Spira International Inc. |
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