Anyone ever built a boat?

45-70

45-70

Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,601
Been thinking about a Pirogue, anyone built one?




Clicky on the Picky...
 
Two hundred years ago, give or take, four guys: an Army Lurp, an IBM engineer, a guy who grew up on a farm building and fixing stuff, and me (duh) put together a "kit canoe" whose directions stated, unequivocally, that the canoe could be put together in an afternoon, "ideally."

Four week-ends later, with wood firmly in place splitting as we watched it from afar, this submarine tried to kill us.


Uh...so, in answer to your question, no.:D :grumpy: :D
 
Even if it doesn't come together gracefully, you're not really out much money until you purchase the resin...which shouldn't even be necessary until everything has come together gracefully.

What have you got to lose? If you have a wood stove, you can even warm yourself while disposing of the evidence if it should come to that. ;)

It will cost 50% more and take 150% longer than the plans say. That goes without saying. Anyone who has put any sort of kit together knows that. It still looks like it would be fun.
 
try bateau kits.

I'm working on a dory now. Grew up repairing small boats, mostly dinghys.


Very rewarding to cast off for the first time... maybe a fish or two as well.

Best -Coop
 
An old friend of mine was a carpenter and I helped him build a dinghy about two years before God.;)
It was made with 1" X 12" clear pine boards. Dean just decided one day we needed a boat to fish Bird Creek and some of the larger ponds and strip pits around. It was a great little two man boat, we painted it with dark green floor paint.:thumbup: :D :cool:
Those were the good ol' days.:(
 
My highschool built this one:

wc2RV5-4622.jpg


And I am *still* allowed to use it :) (And that's me and a friend in that pic)

Keno
 
Lived on my Irwin Citation 34 sloop in Boot Key harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys from 92 to 2003 after sailing down there from Maryland. Met my now best friend there; 'Turk', and his wife 'Patches' who came there on a 32 foot Trimaran he built from scratch is LA (the state). I'd stake my life on his home built vessel rather than on my 'factory built' sailboat. When it comes to home built, you know exactly what quality materials and constructin goes into it. That's very important if your life may be on the line!
 
used to be involved with building these 30+ years ago.
crewboat.jpg

at least in the design stages....
 
Yup. Built a 21' sailboat with my dad and brother, and worked to repair a whack of others. If I ever get my house renovations done, I've about 3 projects in mind.

...but I haven't built a piroque. You might want to go peer through the recieved wisdom at the forum sponsored by WoodenBoat magazine - there are people there who've forgotten more about boatbuilding than you or I will ever know.
 
There's enough talent in this forum to restart civilization should it be neccesary; with all the accomplishments, and all the mistakes.



munk
 
ahrrr no matey , but I've sunk a few . L:O:L

It's the same old dory . Can you canoe ?

Don,t sail over the plans or your dream boat will turn out to be a little dingy .
 
Having built a couple homemade boat/subs years ago, please consider the following:
(1) the sides of the boat, presumably plywood, are bent into the shape of a bow, and then the ribs are attached to keep from releasing all that potential energy, at least until you are 40' from shore.
(2) ever heard plywood touted as a great bow making material?
(3) the bottom of your boat, not stressed, will allow you to sink slower, as water comes in the sides.
(4) the pirogue design was wide enough in the beam so that the operator could stand with a pole. This is great, since there ain't no place to sit except on the bottom (below water level). Paddling is tougher than poling these.
(5) A quality canoe like Old Town will last 50 years (mine is 40 now). I have painted it exactly once, and I figure it cost me $30 a year. I have even had mine overstressed by putting it in heavy surf, and thrown end for end onto the beach. I had more dings than it did. Mine is 18' long and 39" wide, and my wife and I could fit all five of our kids between us
(6) Frm actual experience, your auto insurance may go up. I was in a chain reaction at 60 mph on the N.J. turnpike. The force of the impact threw the canoe, bong bong bobong, along the tops of five cars and a pickup, until it slooowly slide down over the wind shield of the last car in front. My camera was packed deep, sorry to say. What ever you decide, don't forget life vests for the little ones :D
 
When I was a kid (13/14) my Dad and I built an 8' pram. The plans had it set up for rowing, sailing or a small 2 horse engine. We made it a rower/engine style. It was a great little boat. Stable...turned on a dime. Caught my first steelhead out of it.:D
For some reason Dad sold it.:grumpy:
20 years later I came accross the same plans. I built it again by myself. Great little boat. Never leaked a drop. I could carry it by myself or I could use the attachable wheels and just roll it around. It fit in the back of a pick up like it was built for it. An electric motor could really make that boat fly.:)

Glen-L...that's the name of the boat plans maker. Do a search they have plans for a Pirogue.

You should have no major problems building that boat...just read the directions...several times... before doing anything. :grumpy:
 
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