How Easy Is It?
 

I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry

How Easy Is It?
 

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:04:46 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

You NEVER approiach bvoat building from the "easy" aspect. You are
talking small boat rough water. You need to look at saving your own
life. Have you _boated_ before? Boating is where you suddenly find you
are ON YOUR OWN.

I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry


Human bevaviour: Bestiality with a brain

How Easy Is It?
 

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:04:46 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

Anyway, do you want sail, motor, row?

boy!! arrgh!
I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry


Human bevaviour: Bestiality with a brain

How Easy Is It?
 

Right now I am using a 16' Lowe aluminum with a Yamaha 15HP 4-stroke and
pretty much restrict my activity to bays and inshore waters. It handles
quite well providing its not too choppy but can still bang around pretty
good. On ocassion when the wind picks up it can get a little rough out
there and my concern is to have something that will always get me home
safely.

Jerry

"OldNick" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:04:46 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

You NEVER approiach bvoat building from the "easy" aspect. You are
talking small boat rough water. You need to look at saving your own
life. Have you _boated_ before? Boating is where you suddenly find you
are ON YOUR OWN.

I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult
it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry


Human bevaviour: Bestiality with a brain

How Easy Is It?
 

On Jul 28, 10:25 am, "Jerry" wrote:
Right now I am using a 16' Lowe aluminum with a Yamaha 15HP 4-stroke and
pretty much restrict my activity to bays and inshore waters. It handles
quite well providing its not too choppy but can still bang around pretty
good. On ocassion when the wind picks up it can get a little rough out
there and my concern is to have something that will always get me home
safely.

Jerry

"OldNick" wrote in message

...



On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:04:46 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

You NEVER approiach bvoat building from the "easy" aspect. You are
talking small boat rough water. You need to look at saving your own
life. Have you _boated_ before? Boating is where you suddenly find you
are ON YOUR OWN.

I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult
it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry

Human bevaviour: Bestiality with a brain- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

There is nothing unsinkable, period, but I know what you are getting
at. As unsinkable as possible, without being rediculous;) Stitch and
glue with good plans, basic household tools, a C+ average in High
School shop, and a little patience, and just about anyone can have a
successful first build. Easy? I don't know, but certainly doable,
without too much stress if you just pay attention and take your time.
There are literally thousands of plans and plan sellers out there,
from the very basic, to the most complicated. Persoanlly I know
several, but for someone in your situation I would suggest you find
you boat at either Glenl.com, or Bateau.com. both of these sited offer
plans that cater to first time builders, the boats have actually been
built (not just some internet hero with a cad program), and they are
very basic to the point where any problem you find with the build can
probably be answered at the website, or here, or about anywhere. My
point is "Tried and true", and between those two sited, based on your
stated needs, you should be able to find the right tool (boat).

Just my opinion. If you take it, you may save weeks of research only
to get to the same conclusion;)

Note: I do not represent either of these websites, although I do get
materials from GlenL, and have had communication with the other in the
past.

How Easy Is It?
 

Thanks!

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Jul 28, 10:25 am, "Jerry" wrote:
Right now I am using a 16' Lowe aluminum with a Yamaha 15HP 4-stroke and
pretty much restrict my activity to bays and inshore waters. It handles
quite well providing its not too choppy but can still bang around pretty
good. On ocassion when the wind picks up it can get a little rough out
there and my concern is to have something that will always get me home
safely.

Jerry

"OldNick" wrote in message

...



On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:04:46 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

You NEVER approiach bvoat building from the "easy" aspect. You are
talking small boat rough water. You need to look at saving your own
life. Have you _boated_ before? Boating is where you suddenly find you
are ON YOUR OWN.

I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or
difficult
it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that
are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water
pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry

Human bevaviour: Bestiality with a brain- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

There is nothing unsinkable, period, but I know what you are getting
at. As unsinkable as possible, without being rediculous;) Stitch and
glue with good plans, basic household tools, a C+ average in High
School shop, and a little patience, and just about anyone can have a
successful first build. Easy? I don't know, but certainly doable,
without too much stress if you just pay attention and take your time.
There are literally thousands of plans and plan sellers out there,
from the very basic, to the most complicated. Persoanlly I know
several, but for someone in your situation I would suggest you find
you boat at either Glenl.com, or Bateau.com. both of these sited offer
plans that cater to first time builders, the boats have actually been
built (not just some internet hero with a cad program), and they are
very basic to the point where any problem you find with the build can
probably be answered at the website, or here, or about anywhere. My
point is "Tried and true", and between those two sited, based on your
stated needs, you should be able to find the right tool (boat).

Just my opinion. If you take it, you may save weeks of research only
to get to the same conclusion;)

Note: I do not represent either of these websites, although I do get
materials from GlenL, and have had communication with the other in the
past.

How Easy Is It?
 

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:48:59 -0000,
wrote:


There is nothing unsinkable, period,

Maybe. Many boats will float even if full of water. Of course you can
pump in sand. That will do it. Is that what you meant? You fill most
any freighter full of lumber and it will float, maybe with decks awash
for months or years. A boxboat will take forever to sink, with some
types of cargo. Nobody ships empty barrels or do they.

Casady

How Easy Is It?
 

On Jul 28, 11:56 am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:
On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:48:59 -0000,
wrote:



There is nothing unsinkable, period,

Maybe. Many boats will float even if full of water. Of course you can
pump in sand. That will do it. Is that what you meant? You fill most
any freighter full of lumber and it will float, maybe with decks awash
for months or years. A boxboat will take forever to sink, with some
types of cargo. Nobody ships empty barrels or do they.

Casady

Well, the Titanic comes to mind;) Just kidding. I was stretching his
question to fit his situation. I think by his inquiry, he was looking
for something that would support him, even if he were in weather or
another situation he should not be in, weather by choice or lack of
experience on the water. I know there are boats, ie. carolina skiff,
whaler, that you can chainsaw in half and they will still float, but
can you survive 10 foot swells on that chunk of foam?

More than likely, the s+t boat this guy builds will not be foam core.
But if he goes to one of the sites I suggested, the flotation will be
functional, and reasonable. But I don't think, unsinkable, at least as
it related to the origional poster.

Anyway, it was one line in a long post, what did you think of the rest
of my advice? ;)

How Easy Is It?
 

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:14:41 -0000,
wrote:

On Jul 28, 11:56 am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:
On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:48:59 -0000,
wrote:



There is nothing unsinkable, period,

Maybe. Many boats will float even if full of water. Of course you can
pump in sand. That will do it. Is that what you meant? You fill most
any freighter full of lumber and it will float, maybe with decks awash
for months or years. A boxboat will take forever to sink, with some
types of cargo. Nobody ships empty barrels or do they.

Casady

Well, the Titanic comes to mind;) Just kidding. I was stretching his
question to fit his situation. I think by his inquiry, he was looking
for something that would support him, even if he were in weather or
another situation he should not be in, weather by choice or lack of
experience on the water. I know there are boats, ie. carolina skiff,
whaler, that you can chainsaw in half and they will still float, but
can you survive 10 foot swells on that chunk of foam?

More than likely, the s+t boat this guy builds will not be foam core.
But if he goes to one of the sites I suggested, the flotation will be
functional, and reasonable. But I don't think, unsinkable, at least as
it related to the origional poster.

Anyway, it was one line in a long post, what did you think of the rest
of my advice? ;)

Not bad.
You can sink about anything with an overload of dense cargo,you don't
actually need to work at it. Say you are stealing sand off the public
beach and you put too much aboard. It will have little
freeboard and... maybe a wake encounter and glug. I think there are
a ****load of sink resistant designs. One should suit and you did give
the guy a place to start.

Casady

How Easy Is It?
 

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:25:12 -0400, "Jerry"
wrote:

Right now I am using a 16' Lowe aluminum with a Yamaha 15HP 4-stroke and
pretty much restrict my activity to bays and inshore waters. It handles
quite well providing its not too choppy but can still bang around pretty
good. On ocassion when the wind picks up it can get a little rough out
there and my concern is to have something that will always get me home
safely.

Jerry


I think that you have to refine your requirements a boat. You want a
"small" boat that handles "rough" water. How small is "small" and how
rough is "rough"?

If, for example, you reckon that 16 ft. is a normal length of a boat
then "rough" is going to seem mill pond smooth to, say, a 100 footer.

To carry this to an extreme, fully enclosed life boats will survive
weather that a boat many time larger will not, but this is a totally
enclosed boat; inboard engine; locked ports, etc.

I suspect that what you want is a sort of deep vee hull with
considerable flair to the bow section. This will go to windward pretty
well in moderate waves.

When you talk about self bailing, as another reply explained, you will
need to have the decks/cockpit floor above the waterline. To do this
on a 16 ft. waterline is going to result in a boat that is unduly high
for its length, less stability in other words.

I would suggest that you have a look at what hull forms are available
and talk to some of the people that own the ones you like the best.

Boats have been built since the days of hollowed out logs and just
about anything you can think of has already been tried. What you want
is out there, you just have to find it.

Once you find a design that you like you can probably find the same
basic design in a build it yourself set of plans.


Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeATgmailDOTcom)

How Easy Is It?
 

Jerry wrote:
I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never
built anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy
or difficult it really is before I start investing in plans.

It's not all that difficult to build any type of wooden boat. One
needs basic skills, an understanding of what and why one is doing
something and the willingness/precision to do it accurately. It is
especially important to get the initial steps done correctly as all
else depends on them.
________________

Are there any plans that are truly easy for a novice?

The only stitch & glue boat I've built was an 8' pram a couple of
years ago. Easy, generally. The only difficulty was getting the side
& bottom pieces chock-a-block to the transoms for gluing. The
difficulty there was due to the fact that the panels needed to bend -
and in a compound manner - and the copper wire ties used to secure
them were not nearly strong enough to pull the pieces together. Some
improvisation and clamps solved the problem easily.

The reason I mentioned the above is to point out that curves are
harder to do than flat (especially compound curves. That doesn't mean
I'm suggesting that you avoid such a plan because (among other things)
curves add a lot of strength to a hull.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

How Easy Is It?
 

Floatation under the floor is a desirable trait for any small boat,
especially in a dinghy. with it, the floor should be self bailing;
that is, when empty with a drain plug out, the boat will drain itself
dry. with a plug in, it will not take in water when loaded. This
suggests a double hull, or alternatively floats under the seats, not
nearly so good an idea, as they will not allow self bailing.

I have often thought I would like to make a boat out of polyurethane
foam like pool planks, clad in sailcloth and velcro so as to lie flat
as cockpit cushions or form a wet, floppy, unsinkable floating toy
bathtub of a boat. Dogs and kids might love it.

Make it with waterproof material and a spine, it might do even better.

The thing about stitch and tape is that the wire ties are actually
alignment guides. Spanish windlass, clamps, glass tape and resin do
the hard work.

Terry K

How Easy Is It?
 

On Jul 28, 9:04 am, "Jerry" wrote:
I am contemplating building a stitch & glue boat but have never built
anything (boats that is) before. I'm curious as to how easy or difficult it
really is before I start investing in plans. Are there any plans that are
truly easy for a novice?

I am interested in something unsinkable that can handle rough water pretty
well in the 16' to 20' range. Either a cuddy, small cabin or a center
console would be fine.

Jerry

Jerry, first spend alot of time picking out a boat design you really
like. You have to like the boat.
It is not that hard to do. If you inherently enjoy figuring
stuff out and learning
new things than it won't be that hard. Anything you have
problems with you can get help on
groups like this one. There is a lot of help out there.

You build boats because you enjoy the process as much or more
than the final result. Otherwise
it's probably a better idea to buy a boat instead.