Stitch and glue drift boats

I am going to expose my ignorance in this post but here goes. Are the boats without frames as durable and strong as the traditional framed boats? They seem lighter and they look really sleek, but I don't understand how the rocks don't destroy them. I have a chance to buy a used one pretty cheap but I am a bit worried sence I have never been in one or around one either. Thanks for the input.

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Permalink Reply by lhedrick on February 28, 2012 at 9:02pm

Yes, they are the best looking things I have seen on the water.  Takes lots of skill to do that level of finish work and lots of money to buy it.

Permalink Reply by Terry E Walsh on February 29, 2012 at 7:53am
Thanks for all input! All this info is great and helpful. Terry
Permalink Reply by Dave Tishler on February 29, 2012 at 12:02pm

I might suggest you read Sam Devlin's book on stitch and glue boat building.  It is well done and tells the S&G story quite well.  It also addresses safety concerns about using Epoxy.

It will give you a good idea how these S&G boats are made, plus how to make repairs should you get the boat and have a mishap.

We have a Stitch and Glue, Devlin Built, Winter Wren sailboat. It's a gaff rigged, full keel sailboat. Years ago during a storm a neighbor's oak tree fell on it while it was on its trailer.  There was some deck surface and cabin roof damage, but the hull, keel and framing was intact.  Considering it was a huge oak tree the boat proved surprizingly strong.  The trailer sank into the wet ground about 10", which also helped.

We also have a framed 16 ft drift boat we built at home. (A DH design)

I would trust either method of construction, provided the design was good.

Dave

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