who has the best drift boat plans for a beginer

I have been looking at alot of web sites at the plans they have for sale, and i as wondering what you guys would recomend for a first time build. I am looking for a 14-16 ft boat, that can seat two people, and is good for shallow rivers. I would be fishing the rivers here in tennessee, and i want to be able to float in shallow water, less than a foot if that is possible, and be able to bounce my boat bottom off of shoals with out busting it. I just wanted to see what you guys think. I also am trying to build one versus buying one to save money. I want to try and spend abound $2000 or less if thats possible.

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Permalink Reply by Josh on June 29, 2009 at 4:30pm
The biggest hurdle is getting started...after that it is fairly easy! I just finished my first boat which was a 15' stitch and glue Honky Dory....I have re-finished/repaired a couple of framed wooden boats previously but this was my first time starting from scratch and thus classify myself has a beginner. It took my awhile to get started but once I got going everything came together. There are a lot of great plans out there and this board and another that I frequent have the greatest collection of wooden boat building knowledge out there. I am sure a lot of guys will offer suggestions but take a look out there see what you like and the see what the consensus is. I'd imagine that the rivers over there don't have much whitewater so you may want to look at a skiff...should be able to build something under $2,000 although it might be tough to include a trailer in that price range. Dollars really start adding up when you try and get fancy with the interior.

Josh
Permalink Reply by brandon hollaway on June 29, 2009 at 7:16pm
The rivers dont have to much whitewater, when they are not generating, but when they are a few spots go from class 1 to class 3 real quick.Also what is the difrence in a stitch and glue and a framed boat.
Thanks. brandon
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on June 29, 2009 at 8:44pm
Brandon, This is my first time build also, through I have done woodworking all my life. I thought I could not afford the kit types and bought the Don Hill plans . Less than $100, 18 footer, Bigger than I needed. Smaller would have been wiser. I have not added the cost lately, but am around $2500 and have 350 hours in the project so far ...I did change the seat and that has taken longer figuring out what I wanted.I am in the sanding and finishing phase now.. Spend about 2 hours a day and all day on Saturdays the past 3 warmer months working on the boat. Want to build my own oars and trailer also. Had some down time wating on supplies and the like. Kit? might go faster. Take a look at my page and some of my pictures . It has been fun learning experince and I hope by the end of July will have a beautiful drift boat. Good luck do alot of home work. Steve.started project May 08
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on June 29, 2009 at 9:42pm
Brandon,

Welcome.

Get Roger Fletchers' book. Drift Boats and River Dories. There are plans in it for 13 different boat designs.

Check out my blog. www.thtchronicles.blogspot.com

I recently finished a 16' framed boat for under $1600, (not including trailer and oars) 87 hours into it. I have built three other boats, so while I'm no expert, I am also not a beginner.

Framed boats are built using a set of well, frames to govern the shape of the thing, and are left in the boat when it is complete. Making frames from scratch is probably the most critical part of building a boat from a pile of lumber and not a kit. The frames have a bottom bevel, side bevels, flare and accurate dimensions and are located at carefully selected points in a boat. The corners of the frames accept the "chine log" which is the cornerstone of the boats strength and rigidity.

A stitch and glue boat is basically a "wood core" boat. The side panels and bottom are accurately cut form plywood, then holes are drilled along the mating edges. The boat is "stitched" together with wire, then is "glued" with epoxy and covered in fiberglass. The interior joints look great, and there is a fillet where the chine log is. The fillet is thickened epoxy. Lots of sanding involved, but pretty simple to build. Many modern builders are opting out on plywood for the floor and using plascore, or foam, or honeycomb material. These boats are fully glassed, and can be made to be absolute pieces of art. Check out jason cajunes' site. www.montanaboatbuilders.com You'll soon see what I mean.

Hope this helps. I won't get into which method is better, as they both have their place in the past, present and future of wooden boats. Good luck.

Dave
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on June 30, 2009 at 2:23pm
Brandon, thought I would throw another note in... The plans I purchased from Don Hill I felt were good. Comes in a binder and has a cd that shows one of there boats being built. As Dave Z refered to the building of the ribs and all the angles... I had to study and restudy and talk with people to get it correct in my head. And then practice on waste material. I purchased my marine grade plywood from Homestead out of Ohio. Started with Around $1000 and have added some along the way ...now the cost of the finish components are adding up. I had always worked with square and right angles in most of my woodworking projects. So all of these curves and angles were a mental awakening.. Hope it will ward off dementia. It has been fun ...but am ready to be on the water. This site has been great. Would of liked to known about it sooner. Steve
Permalink Reply by brandon hollaway on June 30, 2009 at 4:19pm
hey guys thanks for all the advice!

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