I should also say that Learned's Oregon Dories are flat bottomed boats
capable of beaching in the Oregon surf, and that this is the normal way of
fishing them (launch and land in the ocean surf, right on the sand beaches).
They'd go with a V-bottom too, but it is not conducive to where and how
these boats are commercially used for fishing. They are good boats though
and they do their duty well.

Brian D



"Brian D" wrote in message
...

Learned is a nice guy too. His boats are built for duty. That said
though, I'd personally never go ply-on-frame because it's a work and time
multiplier. Been there and done that, but not again. I'd build a
stitch-n-tape Tolman skiff instead, assuming you wanted capability similar
to the Oregon Dories that Learned builds. In fact, the Tolman is a *more*
capable V-bottom boat that is a quicker and easier build than a
traditional Oregon Dory. It's got a long strong reputation in Alaska and
is being used all over the world. See:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tolmanskiff (Yahoo builder's group, lots of
pictures and good advice)
http://fishyfish.com/tolmanskiff.html (Lots of links and pictures)

Brian D



wrote in message
...
I have nearly done with the Glen-L Vee Dory at 23 feet. No question
that I have saved money, not if you count labor. The trouble is you
won't save that much. Just the same most boat builders will tell you
they liked doing it.

As for the Hunky Dory, from what I have seen of the plan they make it
harder than it has to be. Check out
http://www.geocities.com/learnedsboats/

If you look through the pictures notice the way he does the stringers
and bottom connection, no battens running longwise up the bottom.
Glen-L has extra battens on a lot of their boats and they add extra
work and expense. Learned's boats last a long time, too.

Learned doesn't sell plans that I know of, but I'd look around for an
easier plan than Glen-L's. Just the same Glen-L makes good plans, it's
just some things aren't worth doing sometimes.

On 19 Apr 2005 08:38:03 -0700, wrote:

I have become interested in building a power boat, specifically, the
Glen-L Wee Hunk Pacific Dory (16') as a general purpose run around the
bay, up the river boat. My son thinks I can buy a boat for less than I
can build. My general estimates are as follows:

Motor (new) $4000
Other $1000
Trailer $1200

Total for building: $6200

He believes I can buy a used similar boat for less and he may be right.
Any perspective on this?

Like said eariler, don't build a boat with the intent to save money on
the initial outlay of cash.

Long term, you may save because you can build a lighter hull compared to
a new hull that is layed up with a chopper gun. That translates into
more efficient running and towing. But still, don't build to save lots
of money. It just won't happen.

Build for the pleasure and insight you'll gain into boat hulls. The
feeling of pride cannot be explained with words.

Finally, build something simple and smaller first. The knowledge and
experience you'll gain will save you time, moeny, and hull weight on
your next hull. Even if you build a canoe or dingy you'll never use,
they make nice flower pots for the wife in the front yard.

But be prepared: Home built boats will cost you lots of time on the boat
ramp and on the water. The flow of admiration and questions about a nice
looking wooden boat never end!

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
http://www.jemwatercraft.com/

wrote:
I have become interested in building a power boat, specifically, the
Glen-L Wee Hunk Pacific Dory (16') as a general purpose run around the
bay, up the river boat. My son thinks I can buy a boat for less than I
can build. My general estimates are as follows:

Motor (new) $4000
Other $1000
Trailer $1200

Total for building: $6200

He believes I can buy a used similar boat for less and he may be right.
Any perspective on this?

wrote in message oups.com...
I have become interested in building a power boat, specifically, the
Glen-L Wee Hunk Pacific Dory (16') as a general purpose run around the
bay, up the river boat. My son thinks I can buy a boat for less than I
can build. My general estimates are as follows:

Motor (new) $4000
Other $1000
Trailer $1200

Total for building: $6200

He believes I can buy a used similar boat for less and he may be right.
Any perspective on this?

He may be right, but for me, saving money is not the point behind
building. It depends what you like doing.

If you enjoy the building process, build.
Any money I've saved by building is pretty small (it may even have
cost me more to build than if I'd gotten a good deal on a second-hand
dinghy). Either way, building my boat has been a pretty poorly payed
job on an euros-per-hour rated basis. For me, it's a hobby and a way
to relax, and I get real satisfaction out of doing somthing very
different to the work I do in my professional life.

If you just want to get out and go boating asap, buy second-hand.
Less grief, time and (possibly) outlay.

Yah, a stitch and glue dory ought to be an easier proposition. I
think stitch and glue tends to use less frames. Anyway, I did a more
traditional frame. It started with building and aligning frames, then
the stringers and sheers (the frame that holds the frames) which were
a bit of a headache. Then the battons that went from rear to near all
the way forward. Learneds' boats skip that step (the battons) and the
frames are notched instead and the bottom goes directly on them. You
could save 2 to 3 hundred dollars by eliminating the battons.

As for the Tolman Skiff, I'm not very familiar with it.

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 17:07:34 -0700, "Brian D"
wrote:


Learned is a nice guy too. His boats are built for duty. That said though,
I'd personally never go ply-on-frame because it's a work and time
multiplier. Been there and done that, but not again. I'd build a
stitch-n-tape Tolman skiff instead, assuming you wanted capability similar
to the Oregon Dories that Learned builds. In fact, the Tolman is a *more*
capable V-bottom boat that is a quicker and easier build than a traditional
Oregon Dory. It's got a long strong reputation in Alaska and is being used
all over the world. See:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tolmanskiff (Yahoo builder's group, lots of
pictures and good advice)
http://fishyfish.com/tolmanskiff.html (Lots of links and pictures)

Brian D



wrote in message
.. .
I have nearly done with the Glen-L Vee Dory at 23 feet. No question
that I have saved money, not if you count labor. The trouble is you
won't save that much. Just the same most boat builders will tell you
they liked doing it.

As for the Hunky Dory, from what I have seen of the plan they make it
harder than it has to be. Check out
http://www.geocities.com/learnedsboats/

If you look through the pictures notice the way he does the stringers
and bottom connection, no battens running longwise up the bottom.
Glen-L has extra battens on a lot of their boats and they add extra
work and expense. Learned's boats last a long time, too.

Learned doesn't sell plans that I know of, but I'd look around for an
easier plan than Glen-L's. Just the same Glen-L makes good plans, it's
just some things aren't worth doing sometimes.

On 19 Apr 2005 08:38:03 -0700, wrote:

I have become interested in building a power boat, specifically, the
Glen-L Wee Hunk Pacific Dory (16') as a general purpose run around the
bay, up the river boat. My son thinks I can buy a boat for less than I
can build. My general estimates are as follows:

Motor (new) $4000
Other $1000
Trailer $1200

Total for building: $6200

He believes I can buy a used similar boat for less and he may be right.
Any perspective on this?