While I love my 376 Hunter, there are time I would like to take a small (non keel) day sailor out. I have built a house, and build period furniture for a hobbie, now I am wondering if I can build a small sailboat. Anyone have any experienc or recomend anyone to talk to. PS don't tell my wife quite yet. Russell
- Status
Similar skills, different world
If you enjoy the effort and patience to build things, and you have good skills, you can do it. (We haven't been told what material, size or complexity here.) But keep in mind you are entering a world where straight lines and right angles barely exist. Its like watching a sculpture appear in steps, and then bringing it to life under sail.
If you enjoy the effort and patience to build things, and you have good skills, you can do it. (We haven't been told what material, size or complexity here.) But keep in mind you are entering a world where straight lines and right angles barely exist. Its like watching a sculpture appear in steps, and then bringing it to life under sail.
Sure you can
there are lots of plans available for just that. If you didn't already have a sailboat, I'd say NO, save the time, buy fiberglass, and go sailing. But since you can now sail when you want and like to work with your hands, do it. There is no feeling like watching it float that first time. Suggestions: hard chines, non-exotic materials, able to be beached without damage. Keep it simple - you'll be just as proud of it and you'll be on the water a lot sooner. You can do it.
there are lots of plans available for just that. If you didn't already have a sailboat, I'd say NO, save the time, buy fiberglass, and go sailing. But since you can now sail when you want and like to work with your hands, do it. There is no feeling like watching it float that first time. Suggestions: hard chines, non-exotic materials, able to be beached without damage. Keep it simple - you'll be just as proud of it and you'll be on the water a lot sooner. You can do it.
Glen-L boats
has a catalog of endless boat plans from small 8'-18' open sailboats and power boats to large 35'-40' yacht plans. They have a web site and are in Rosecrans, Calif. Most are plywood hulls. My father at age 75 some 15 years ago built a 12' pram type sailboat from plans he sent away for somewhere in Maine. He was a cabinet maker and was in the furniture business all his life so knew how wood went together. Like you he had, at the time, a larger boat (44' Pacemaker) to cruise in so the pram was for fun. He did it so I know you can.
has a catalog of endless boat plans from small 8'-18' open sailboats and power boats to large 35'-40' yacht plans. They have a web site and are in Rosecrans, Calif. Most are plywood hulls. My father at age 75 some 15 years ago built a 12' pram type sailboat from plans he sent away for somewhere in Maine. He was a cabinet maker and was in the furniture business all his life so knew how wood went together. Like you he had, at the time, a larger boat (44' Pacemaker) to cruise in so the pram was for fun. He did it so I know you can.
West Systems
The Gougeon Brothers founded Westsystems Epoxy. IMHO is the best in boat building materials. Their website has projects listed and they have written several books on how to loft and build boats. Their website is linked at the bottom. Have Fun Ward
The Gougeon Brothers founded Westsystems Epoxy. IMHO is the best in boat building materials. Their website has projects listed and they have written several books on how to loft and build boats. Their website is linked at the bottom. Have Fun Ward
Absolutely yes
My start in sailing was when my Dad bought plans for a Moth - 11.5 feet of single-handing scow fun. We built her, and then sailed her in every possible position, until we learned how to manage the winds of the new Pierce Lake northeast of Rockford, Illinois. I agree with the idea of simplicity - hard chines, good marine plywood, etc. If you keep it small, a wood mast is also fun. You'll learn a lot building and sailing a small boat. David Lady Lillie
My start in sailing was when my Dad bought plans for a Moth - 11.5 feet of single-handing scow fun. We built her, and then sailed her in every possible position, until we learned how to manage the winds of the new Pierce Lake northeast of Rockford, Illinois. I agree with the idea of simplicity - hard chines, good marine plywood, etc. If you keep it small, a wood mast is also fun. You'll learn a lot building and sailing a small boat. David Lady Lillie
Better yet
Look around in the local and state newspaper classifieds for a used dingy that doubles as a small sailboat. Put a 3 hp on it for dinghy use and remove it to sail. Voila!
Look around in the local and state newspaper classifieds for a used dingy that doubles as a small sailboat. Put a 3 hp on it for dinghy use and remove it to sail. Voila!
Better yet?
C,mon Bill, what could be better than building and sailing your own boat. Only if it were also your own design maybe.
I dream about that sometimes. I hang around a couple of websites: http://www.bateau.com/ http://www.boatbuilding.com There are many like this. And the West Systems site was a good recommendation. Maybe someday, after the "big" boat is done. Done?!
C,mon Bill, what could be better than building and sailing your own boat. Only if it were also your own design maybe.
I dream about that sometimes. I hang around a couple of websites: http://www.bateau.com/ http://www.boatbuilding.com There are many like this. And the West Systems site was a good recommendation. Maybe someday, after the "big" boat is done. Done?!There is nothing more satisfying
Russell, Being a "shop teacher" I have built many different things in my 33 year career. There really is no better feeling than to design and build a sailboat that really does go "frontwards" at a high rate of speed. My 17' design looks like a Farr 36, except that I designed and built her in 1984, long before the Farr design was around. She's still going strong and is a constant source of pride and pleasure. It certainly sounds like you know your way around tools and construction; you would be short changing yourself if you don't build yourself a boat.Go for it! PM
Russell, Being a "shop teacher" I have built many different things in my 33 year career. There really is no better feeling than to design and build a sailboat that really does go "frontwards" at a high rate of speed. My 17' design looks like a Farr 36, except that I designed and built her in 1984, long before the Farr design was around. She's still going strong and is a constant source of pride and pleasure. It certainly sounds like you know your way around tools and construction; you would be short changing yourself if you don't build yourself a boat.Go for it! PM
Most definately
I built a 12 foot sailing dingy from www.Bateau2.com before I bought the 25 footer. It is a lot of fun, you quickly learn the wind, your reaction time needs to be quicker and if you get a big enough boat you can use it as the dingy. - enjoy
I built a 12 foot sailing dingy from www.Bateau2.com before I bought the 25 footer. It is a lot of fun, you quickly learn the wind, your reaction time needs to be quicker and if you get a big enough boat you can use it as the dingy. - enjoy
Great Idea
Building a small boat is a great winter project. If you've built furniture before you probably already have all the tools you need. Get some sheets of 1/4 inch ply, some fiberglass, epoxy, and LOTS of clamps are all it takes. Pretty soon you have a nice little boat. In addition to the other links posted check out the forum at http://www.woodenboat.com and http://www.clarkcraft.com/ is another source for plans. Have fun!
Building a small boat is a great winter project. If you've built furniture before you probably already have all the tools you need. Get some sheets of 1/4 inch ply, some fiberglass, epoxy, and LOTS of clamps are all it takes. Pretty soon you have a nice little boat. In addition to the other links posted check out the forum at http://www.woodenboat.com and http://www.clarkcraft.com/ is another source for plans. Have fun!
Should I build a small sailboat?
Of course. Dive right in. The satisfaction of turning a few sheets of plywood into a sailing vessel cannot be imagined. It must be experienced. Do a search on "stitch and glue" and you'll find a number of sites with a wealth of information. If you can follow a line with a jigsaw and apply epoxy with a roller, you can build a sailboat in a few weekends. When you're ready to begin, just pick a "stitch and glue" design that comes with full size templates.
Of course. Dive right in. The satisfaction of turning a few sheets of plywood into a sailing vessel cannot be imagined. It must be experienced. Do a search on "stitch and glue" and you'll find a number of sites with a wealth of information. If you can follow a line with a jigsaw and apply epoxy with a roller, you can build a sailboat in a few weekends. When you're ready to begin, just pick a "stitch and glue" design that comes with full size templates.
I am thinking of it also
But I might try some kits and not cutting my own wood. Of course not as cheap, but I want it to go well and I might not be as skilled as you with wood. But I might make this my winter project just as you I am looking at a pretty little 8 foot pram from here http://www.clcboats.com/boats/eastportpram.php/cart_id=e36da1448364e63dc86fb24152d7427e/ Go to http://www.clcboats.com/ for another source of build it yourself boats
But I might try some kits and not cutting my own wood. Of course not as cheap, but I want it to go well and I might not be as skilled as you with wood. But I might make this my winter project just as you I am looking at a pretty little 8 foot pram from here http://www.clcboats.com/boats/eastportpram.php/cart_id=e36da1448364e63dc86fb24152d7427e/ Go to http://www.clcboats.com/ for another source of build it yourself boats
I wouldn't hesitate to do it again
I go camping twice a year on some of the most gorgeous lakes in Maine with 3 friends and we needed a good boat to get us there. One winter a few years ago I built a 19'6" Sharpie. It definitely does the job and was a great experience. I got a bunch of plywood, some West System Epoxy, and plans from Reuel Parker. I would recommend it to anyone. There's all sorts of information available through Wooden Boat Magazine. Do a little research to pick the right design and go to it. You won't regret it. We will be sailing our Cal33 this summer but always manage to find time for the sharpie.
I go camping twice a year on some of the most gorgeous lakes in Maine with 3 friends and we needed a good boat to get us there. One winter a few years ago I built a 19'6" Sharpie. It definitely does the job and was a great experience. I got a bunch of plywood, some West System Epoxy, and plans from Reuel Parker. I would recommend it to anyone. There's all sorts of information available through Wooden Boat Magazine. Do a little research to pick the right design and go to it. You won't regret it. We will be sailing our Cal33 this summer but always manage to find time for the sharpie.
Build It !
I'm a finish carpenter for over 25 yr's. Built alot of different things, cabinets, entertainment centers, bookcases, etc. Thought I pretty much did it all. Bought plans and how to video for The Nutshell Pram, desighned by Joel White,from Wooden Boat Magizine. What an eye opener. They made it so easy, but also showed how complex it could be. I learned so much. It was a great experience. I would recomend it to anybody. PS: My boat still hasn't touched water, but very proud none the less. Met a young lady at the lake I sail. She had what appeared to be a home built boat. We talked, and I found out that she was in her mid 20's, going for masters degree, and this was her 2nd wooden boat project. She did a great job on the boat I saw, and again I learned so much! Go for it! George
I'm a finish carpenter for over 25 yr's. Built alot of different things, cabinets, entertainment centers, bookcases, etc. Thought I pretty much did it all. Bought plans and how to video for The Nutshell Pram, desighned by Joel White,from Wooden Boat Magizine. What an eye opener. They made it so easy, but also showed how complex it could be. I learned so much. It was a great experience. I would recomend it to anybody. PS: My boat still hasn't touched water, but very proud none the less. Met a young lady at the lake I sail. She had what appeared to be a home built boat. We talked, and I found out that she was in her mid 20's, going for masters degree, and this was her 2nd wooden boat project. She did a great job on the boat I saw, and again I learned so much! Go for it! George
Shellboats.com
If by chance you are looking at a boat building kit there is a site that you might be interested in. The address is www.shellboats.com. This company is Vermont but they ship the kits all over the country. They have a variety of sizes and models. Good luck with your project, post a picture of your masterpiece should you decide to go ahead with it!
If by chance you are looking at a boat building kit there is a site that you might be interested in. The address is www.shellboats.com. This company is Vermont but they ship the kits all over the country. They have a variety of sizes and models. Good luck with your project, post a picture of your masterpiece should you decide to go ahead with it!
My son and I built one
of the Shell Boats kits that Sailgirl mentioned. Very complete kit that turned out well. The only difficulty we had was getting the weather to cooperate for painting. We built the Leif 10 kit, and it will comfortably sail with 3 aboard. It's a great off-season project if you have a warm dry place to work. Good luck if you decide to try it.
of the Shell Boats kits that Sailgirl mentioned. Very complete kit that turned out well. The only difficulty we had was getting the weather to cooperate for painting. We built the Leif 10 kit, and it will comfortably sail with 3 aboard. It's a great off-season project if you have a warm dry place to work. Good luck if you decide to try it.
I've done it...
There's a saying that goes.. Building and launching one's own boat is as close to delivering a baby as a man can get.
There's a saying that goes.. Building and launching one's own boat is as close to delivering a baby as a man can get.
- Status