First timer - Garvey 15
 

http://www.boatplans-online.com/prod....php?prod=GV15

Would this boat be OK for a first time builder ?
Let me qualify that a bit.

I'm a pretty good hobby woodworker (cabinets, furniture, etc.) but I'm down
to basic portable power (hand) tools these days. I've worked on smaller
areas on our Hatteras with West System products before, and Formula 27, etc,
and I'm prepping/painting with Awlgrip right now, so I understand the basics
of working with epoxy, fillers, paint etc, but never anything of this scale
and surfaces this large or using the fiberglass cloth that's required for
covering.

The intent is to replace a 13' Whaler we had to let go of (finances). I was
hoping maybe I could replace it and at the same time learn a lot, and also
have some pride knowing I did it myself. We use it for a tender (we don't
fish) and it stays in the water all the time and towed behind the Hatt.

I really got used to tilt/trim we had with the 40 Johnson on the Whaler -
would this boat be OK with a motor like that (although larger I suppose, for
this boat) ?

I guess I'd even consider buying the kits shown on the site, but at that
point I'd have as much in it as to go find another Whaler. Plus, the more I
can do myself, the more I can learn and be proud of it when it's done. At
this point I just tossing the idea around.

What do you think ?

jim bailey

First timer - Garvey 15
 

I would suggest buying a boat if finances are involved. You will spend more
on your boat than you can tell by going with plans instead of kits. These
people use good quality materials purchased in bulk and the cuts made by the
kit makers are much more precise than you can make using hand tools. I have
built boats both ways and highly recommend kits. But then I have a job and
two young children..........

Finances aside, the experience of building your own boat is one of the more
memorable things you can do.
It also is addictive, so be prepared to look at many plans and say "I can do
that".

I am a chef by trade and my wood working skills get better all the time,
but I had no experience when I built my first boat, the FL14 offer by the
same company you are considering, and it turned out great!

First timer - Garvey 15
 

"Scott Chaffin" wrote
I would suggest buying a boat if finances are involved.

That's a good way to make friends on rec.boats.building
Did you catch the word "building"? :-)

For Jim: ask the question on our message board, there are number of GV15
builders the
http://www.bateau2.com/index.php
One of our GV15 builders has a complete web site with picture sbut the link
doens't work right now, he is moving the site.

My opinion: it is possible to build her as first boat but you will save a
lot of labor and $ by building a small canoe first. See our free canoe
plans at the same web site.

--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com