Ribbed boat w/o any fiberglass

 I want to build a traditonal ribbed boat because I want to work with wood, not fiberglass. If I were going to use x layers of fiberglass on the bottom and sides I would just build a S&G drift boat-which I have already done. I'll be floating easy class II rivers and tailwaters in the southeast so no big whitewater or rocks. I'll use a 1/4" plywood shoe on the bottom. Other than epoxy for scarfing,adhesives and screws and an oil finish its going to be all wood. I've got access to Sepele,Meranti, or Okume plywood. Any kind of white oak,ash, douglas fir, or whatever for ribs and gunnels. Price isnt bad because I can pick it up without incurring shipping costs. So question is, surely I can build a long lasting servicable boat without fiberglassing it.?

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Permalink Reply by Greg Max on May 8, 2013 at 10:41am

Oh yeah, of course!  My framed boat doesn't have any fiberglass on it at all, is stored outside, runs rocky rivers here in CO, and has never had a problem.  This will be her 6th season on the water with moderate use (30 days or so on the water per year).  That's the way they were originally made, or so I have heard.

Permalink Reply by Dave Z on May 8, 2013 at 12:35pm

Plenty of wood shoed no glass boats out there that are older than me.

build away!

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