New to Site New to Boat Building

Hey all - 

I am sure there are numerous posts on this site with these same questions but thought I would still post my own. So I am in the R and D of my project trying to determine if we can build a boat and what it takes to get started. I am going to be building a boat with my uncle (an experienced wood worker) my cousin (novice), and myself (Average at best woodworker.) I am trying to determine what plans to use where to start and what sort of money we are talking to build a boat that will allow all 3 of us to float together. I have been looking at Don Hill and Jason Cajunes (Montana boat builders plans) I am still trying to determine what plans are best and how do you determine which ones to use. I really like the boats that Jason has posted on his boat and am leaning towards purchasing his plans. Please feel free to provide any insight on where we start and how to determine what plans we should use. We also are trying to determine roughly how much a project like this would cost obviously not including man hours etc. I found this site while doing my research and have been looking through pictures for weeks and finally decided to take the plunge and post on the forums and try and gain as much knowledge as possible from anyone who is willing to share. Thanks in advance for your responses and help as I am sure this has been posted many times before. Please also let me know if we are on the right path and where we should start. 

John Vialpando

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on September 24, 2012 at 8:50pm

Welcome John, 

There are a lot of people here that can help and quite a bit of information that you can search. 

Both of the boats you mention are great boats that can handle three people on rivers.  There is nothing wrong with just picking a boat and getting started.  Some pick a boat to build based on the way they plan to use it, some because it is common to their area, some because of a memory or family history, some because of the building method. All are valid.  The important thing is that you start. 

I would guess that you are going to spend a minimum of $1,500 on high quality marine materials for a boat that size.  Some boats can be built for less.  Search for Kelly's drift wood boat for a fun blog. (thank you Kelly. It makes me smile every time I watch the video.)  Many have used materials that are on hand or local to save cost.

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on September 25, 2012 at 5:33am

John:  Some years ago the Wooden Boat School  had a 2 week class on buillding  a Freestone.  Jason came out and tought the class.  Class consited of 1 person (70 yrs)  with some woodworking skills, a 60 yr old that had never done any woodworking and a 13 yr old kid.  Jason was an excellent teacher- but we did the work. His printed plans and instructions are very detailed- much more so than other plans I have used.  The boat was finished and on the water at the end of the class.  I would very strongly urge you to purchase one of his plans/instruction manual.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by John Vialpando on September 25, 2012 at 1:21pm

Question about trailers, I know I am way ahead of myself here but is a drift boat trailer different then a regular boat trailer? We have access to a 16' boat trailer that we can have for free but it was used for a regular boat. Bayliner of some sort. 

Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on September 25, 2012 at 1:29pm

the only difference is the flat bottom of the drift boat vs the v-bottom of the Bayliner.  You might have to remove some bunk rollers but it will work great after you get it to fit. 

Permalink Reply by lhedrick on September 25, 2012 at 4:39pm

Randy is right on.

Don Hill or Jason,  just pick one and get to work.  You will get it done, on the water and have a great time.

Kelly's driftwood boat project is great.  I have friends who built a drift boat out of OSB and polyester resin in a week end.  It wasn't top notch but it made 3 trips down Desolation canyon in Utah before becoming a flow box.  It's now gone all together but the story is told every season.  No matter what you just have to get started.

Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on September 26, 2012 at 8:26am

Welcome, John!

Have you purchased your plans yet?  I have spoken with Jason regarding his boats.  He's been at it for a LONG time and he grew up working on boats with his father.  I view his boats to be more like functional art.   I would also say that they are apart and seperate from the vast majority of boats you will find on this site.   He uses a combination of vacu-form, steam bending, C & C design, and space-age materials like 'plascore' in his boats.  VERY cool stuff.  I want one.

Now, if you're looking at more of a 'traditional' design that's going to be a tad easier on your wallet, I would buy Mr. Fletcher's book.  That way you've got not only multiple boat plans, but a whole book on the history and construction of the craft.   I learned about Fletcher's book after I had begun my boat.  otherwise I'd have gone that route.  I've gone through it an inordinate amount of times and it just never gets old.

Either way, have fun!  This site is your saving grace.   EVERYone here is amazing and more than willing to help.

Mike

 

Permalink Reply by John Vialpando on September 27, 2012 at 2:06pm

Question all I received my plans and we are starting to put together our list of supplies to get. I have a friend who works at a lumber yard and the parts list calls for mahogany plywood. Does this have to be Marine grade plywood or anything special? He has it in stock which from what I have read is not normal especially if you don't live on one of the coasts. Was also wondering if anyone in the Denver area had any extra plasacore or nidacore that they were looking to sell. 

Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on September 27, 2012 at 2:17pm

There is a lot of inexpensive mahogany plywood that is crap, and mahogany plywood that is not marine.  You'll want to purchase marine mahogany.  The best buy is usually Hydrotek. 

Permalink Reply by John Vialpando on September 27, 2012 at 2:50pm

OK thanks my friend does not carry marine grade Mahogany just cabinet grade. But he does have Meranti (which is similar to mahogany is my understanding) that I can purchase is this a good alternative? Also can you tell me if these prices are good. 

3/8" $67.52
1/4" $42.53
1/2" $97.47

Permalink Reply by tungsten on September 28, 2012 at 6:13am

take the time to find and spend the money to get the marine grade.here in canada 1/4"is $54 for meranti marine grade.

Permalink Reply by John Vialpando on October 5, 2012 at 6:12pm
Hey guys ordered my plasacore and also picked up the plywood today. Curios if anyone has any insight on fiberglass and epoxy sites I can purchase on. I went to a couple different places today around Denver and was rather surprised the materials, Kevlar, epoxy, fiberglass, etc was going to run me $1k. Does this price sound right or am I just looking in the wrong places the plans called for the following products.

Kevlar
5 oz 38" wide x 24'
Fiberglass
35 yds 12 oz.x6" Biaxial Tape
17yds 4in. Fiberglass Tape
21 yds. 6oz. X 60in. Fiberglass Cloth
Epoxy
7.5 gals. total non-blushing epoxy and hardener
5 qts. wood flour
Permalink Reply by lhedrick on October 5, 2012 at 8:10pm

Forget about local you could spend 100 a gallon for epoxy.

Many of us get Epoxy/fillers/fiberglass from raka.com in Florida.  

Good prices when you buy 6, 9 or 12 gallons at a time.

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