Here is an e-mail I got the other day, I kind of went nuts with the
answer, thought I would pass it along.
Scotty


SNIP
Hi,
I'd like to build (*********), but have no experieince with "stitch
and tape". You suggest I do some homework first. Where do I start?
Thank you, and have a nice Christmas.
***
/SNIP

Note:
(*********) is a plan I sell, I have a note on the order page that it
is not a simple boat to build, but can be done with patience and a
"little homework" by a first time builder. The following is my answer
to ***.

SNIP
Hi, ***.
With novice woodworking skills, basic household tools, and patience,
anyone can build (*********).
There are really three things the basic carpenter needs to know to
transfer his/her knowledge to boatbuilding. We boat builders use
different adhesives, we use different fastenings, and we tend to bend
wood a little more than your basic cabinet maker... Not really a
problem.
We use Epoxy as an adhesive and "resin impregnated fiberglass
reinforced fillets" as a primary permanent fastening. Easy, most Epoxy
now comes with optional calibrated pumps, one pump resin, one of
hardener, and stir for two minutes. Put some filler in, slop over
fiberglass material, and you have the "resin impregnated fiberglass
reinforced fillets".
Second we use temporary fastenings such as copper wire to hold things
in place while we epoxy and special bronze/silicone anchor nails,
instead of the SS or aluminum ring nails used in typical construction.
We fasten everything else with either SS or Bronze. Still, simple.
Third, we bend wood. Ah, no problem. None of the processes involved in
any of these boats here require steaming or any other method of bending
beyond pulling the pieces in with a Spanish windlass or by hand at the
time of construction, even the plywood hull parts. Everything else is
very basic, even most cuts are 90 degrees and filled in by the fillet
process noted above.

OK, here is what you need to do. Go to my friend Dynamite Payson's site
and order the book "Build the New Instant Boats", with a brown cover.
(NOTE: do not confuse with earlier publication titled simply, "instant
boats", it has a green cover and does not address stitch and tape.)
BTNIB is a step by step manual for stitch and tape and I fashioned my
(*********) to be built using Paysons steps and methods. While reading
it, remember technology and materials have changed over the decades, so
substitute the word "plywood" with the word "Okoume" (special marine
plywood), and "polyester resin" with "Epoxy". Okoume was not available
at the time of author, and Epoxy was not nearly as affordable and easy
to use back then as it is now, I have "cleared" this opinion with Mr.
Payson, he seemed to agree. Otherwise, have a great read and let me
know when you are ready to build. Merry Christmas and Peace to you and
yours too. Scotty
/SNIP

Hope this helps, and Hey Steve and all, Merry Christmas!
Scotty

Scotty says:

snip-de-dip

and Hey Steve and all, Merry Christmas!
Scotty

Same to you, Scotty. Keep warm.

Steve

You make it sound like that's the only way to build boats, not just the only
way to build this particular boat.

I'd refer the novice to the many websites with descriptions of how to
build epxoy-glued boats before buying books. The building method is so
simple a book is not really needed. It's pretty easy to go back and look
again a website if a person needs to look at something again.

Otherwise it reads fine.

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