Looking for suggestions on building a sailboat

Hermit Scott · Aug 14, 2011

Do you want to build one because you like building things or because you want to save money? If it's because you like building things, I understand. I love building things, That's what I do for a living now. But if it's because you want to save money, look on Craigslist and buy something that is complete and ready to sail. From what I hear Hobie cats are a blast and can be found pretty cheap. Building things is usually more expensive especially when it comes to all the little parts you will need to have a complete boat.
I have a 10' wooden boat that a shop class built. It is beautiful. I have it hanging as decoration in front of my apartment in my shop.

Bill Roosa · Aug 14, 2011

try googling "wooden boat plans"
http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local/shop_new.pl?cart_id=&type=categ&categ=019

I'm thinking that if you want 3-4 folks you are looking for something in the 14' range.

Ross · Aug 14, 2011

Try this web site. http://www.instantboats.com/

Joe · Aug 14, 2011

The wood, epoxy and fiberglass are relatively inexpensive when compared to the additional cost of basic hardware fittings, sails and rigging. You can easily find a 14 foot skiff in decent condition for under $500. The most important thing to remember when finding a "bargain" boat is that it must include all the pieces. Most common parts missing are sails, rigging, rudder, mast and centerboard. Unfortunately, beginners will find these pieces often difficult to replace and fairly expensive. Many neophytes that inquire on this forum have made this mistake.

If I were you, I'd sign up for sailing classes and learn a bit about small sailboats before making the the build or buy choice.

MLampner · Aug 14, 2011

Before moving on to my vintage (he means old) Hunter 30 I sailed an equally old Vagabond 14. The boat will comfortably handle 3 to 4 people was a joy to sail and there are tons of them around as well as a great users group. The boat was designed by Ron Holder and was called under its long production run a variety of names, earliest the Vagabond 14, the Holder 14 the Hobie 1-14 (yes Hobie produced a mono-hull for a while and the Holder 14 again when Ron bought the molds back in the late 80's.

Again if building is the object there are more than a few plans sets around, if sailing on the cheap check these out. The link to the user group is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HobieHolder/

JonnyQuest · Aug 15, 2011

For SMALL dinghy/tender sized sailboats, try here...

That sounds like fun, and I have run across a few other interesting sites. If you are looking to incorporate help from younger family members, grandchildren, etc. check out PDRacer.com -- for the cheap and easy way to get sailing quick on your own build.

If you are looking for a piece of beauty, look at clcboats.com -- they have kits, plans, build-to-orders (I think) and their boats look sharp. There are other small dingy sailboat planers and kit manufacturers thatlook nice as well, and I seem to recall at least one doing hands-on classes where they walk you through in a weekend class. Somewhere in New England area; some Googling should locate it for you if interested.

Best wishes on your endeavour!

novice sailor · Aug 15, 2011

southwind32 said:
I've done very little sailing.....but would like to build a small 10-12' or so wooden sailboat. I know very little about boats.......so I'm looking for suggestions. I want something big enough for a couple of people. Looking for recommendations. Will be sailing on lakes....no ocean sailing. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
Brian

You and I appear to be of the same experience and mind (in the same boat so to speak) check out www.shellboats.com. Good site for small wood boat packages.

sail4ever · Aug 15, 2011

southwind32 said:
I've done very little sailing.....but would like to build a small 10-12' or so wooden sailboat. I know very little about boats.......so I'm looking for suggestions. I want something big enough for a couple of people. Looking for recommendations. Will be sailing on lakes....no ocean sailing. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
Brian

Almost all home built sailboats look just like that....home built, and probably sail like that too. My suggestion is to buy a neglected boat that you can rehab and get the feel and pride of bringing it back to life and then you will have a boat that was skillfully designed and will sail well. You can learn to fiberglass, restore and repair sails and rigging. That is what I have done and have found great satisfaction in learning new skills, sailing the restored boats and selling them to new sailors while moving up to bigger projects. I started with a 16ft dinghy and recently finished restoring a free 25ft sail cruiser for $2800 which is now worth over $5000 on a trailer. There are a lot of sailboats out there that need a caring owner so check the sailboat sale sites
Good Luck!
Sail4Ever, an 83 year old that loves the sport.

Merlin Clark · Aug 15, 2011

I like this guys design and blog http://slidercat.com/blog/wordpress/ . The boat doesn't look overly difficult to build and would be faster and more stable than a mono of similar cost.
Lots of home builders make thier own masts and booms or re-purpose used equipment and many make thier own sails so this doesn't have to be a real expensive project.

kentwm24 · Aug 15, 2011

I have build a wooden boat(clcboat.com) and boaught an old boat of craigslist.

If you like building things... clcboats.com is hard to beat.. and my wooden kayak looks fantastic... but it did cost about twice what a good used kayak on craigslist would have run me.

I bought an old wooden Fireball off criagslist and spent more time rehabing the hull then it would have taken to build a new hull.... but the mast and hardware was worth the purchase price.

If you buy a used boat on craigslist... you will like spend money repairing/replacing broken or hold hardware, lines, and sails.

Johnnyh4 · Aug 15, 2011

Try Dudley Dix Yacht Designs, I'm currently building his Didi 26. It's bigger than what you want but he has plans for all types and sizes of boats. His plans were easy to follow and he was always quick to respond to any of my questions I had. I also chose him based on the fact that I didn't want a homebuilt look to my boat. Good Luck with your search!!!

SusieD · Aug 15, 2011

Want to sail on your own boat?

southwind32 said:
I've done very little sailing.....but would like to build a small 10-12' or so wooden sailboat. I know very little about boats.......so I'm looking for suggestions. I want something big enough for a couple of people. Looking for recommendations. Will be sailing on lakes....no ocean sailing. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
Brian

Hi Brian,

There is a special affinity between owner, the wind and the water when you actually build your own boat; or own a wooden boat. I now have mine, in my backyard, sitting on it's trailer, ready to pop into a lake or the ocean this week and weekend. She is stable. She is sound, she comfortably holds 4 - 5 adults and goes faster, (lower to the water & stable) than most larger crafts. She's Roger Long's 22 foot Yawldory. Clinton Chase, in Portland Maine is a young builder that Roger has given the rights to reproduce and sell this boat in a kit for individuals like yourself. Clinton will cut and send you the pieces. He also has smaller sailing craft, which is probably what you are looking for, precut with instructions for putting them together. I am just a happy customer. Clint can be reached through is website at www.clintchaseboatbuilder.com. He also works with other younger boys interested in learning the craft. It's a wonderful way to spread your interest around, and receive a delightful boat in return.

In addition, there are others here in the area who will build you a lucious craft, or send you pieces to assemble. Another fine young gentleman is Daniel Noyles, in Newbury, MA who you will often find commenting in an Wooden Boat forum. He can be found on facebook and sites.google.com/site/dansdories/ . I've personally been out on one of Dan's 17 foot lively sailing dories and had a fabulous time. You would too.

I hope this has been helpful. An old sail lover, returing to the wind and the waves after 28 years.

Susie D.

rgranger · Aug 15, 2011

Go here

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

Alex Dare · Aug 15, 2011

I'll second the CLC aka Chesapeake Light Craft recommendation. Their shop is here in Annapolis so I see a lot of them out on the water. Very nice kits.

oldersalt · Aug 15, 2011

Check out Wooden Boat magazine online and its associated forums. Lots of people involved in building/repairing/using wooden boats of all kinds, large and small. It will be a great resource for deciding on which boat to build, and then for helping you get it built.

txjim · Aug 15, 2011

Another helpful site: http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans.htm

Some of the free plans will give you an idea of the level of complexity.

jibes138 · Aug 15, 2011

These guys are all way off base. Go to the Arch Davis web site, buy a set of plans for a "sand dollar" rowing and sailing dinghy. I built one ten years or so ago and still use it regularly. The instruction manual is amazing and I built the mast and boom myself and even made the sail. Yes you have to buy some small fittings and line and stuff like that but it wasn't too much. I had a blast building it and it rows and sails great. It is made from plywood and epoxy and is very stiff and rigid. Only change I made was after a few years I added a layer of fiberglass to the bottom.

tcbro · Aug 15, 2011

Try these links

For plans try www.duckworksbbs.com/plans.htm

For a kit try www.clcboats.com

I built my dinghy from a kit at the second link and I'm planning on building another from scratch. I just haven't figured out which plans to buy from Duckworks. If you are a member of www.yahoogroups.com (or want to join)you can join a group of builders that focus on Paul Fisher (selway-fisher) designs. I'm looking at a few of his designs. You can see some of them on the Duckworks site.

tcbro · Aug 15, 2011

sailingoday said:
Almost all home built sailboats look just like that....home built, and probably sail like that too.

Home built doesn't mean poor design. Some of today's finest designers are drawing boats and selling plans. You may feel pride at a nice restoration, and I can appreciate that but I get that same feeling (maybe even more so) when I build something myself. There's no substitute for fine craftsmanship and nothing compares to the warmth of a wooden boat.