Building a boat - Where to learn a few basics for construct?

[Tsippy]

Right oh!

I've been researching online and found that there are lots of plans for sale so you can build your own boat Now this interests me a lot as I think it would be an ideal way of learning about the boat at the same time as having fun building something (other than a car!).

The varying options typically require wood or GRP construction, so I was wondering if there is anywhere decent that I could learn about basic woodwork or fibreglass in the Hants area?

Cheers!

P.S Reading the plans is no problem, have extensive experience of that and metal work

[Simpo Two]

Tsippy said:

I was wondering if there is anywhere decent that I could learn about swimming

EFA, if your woodwork skills are that basic!

[Tsippy]

And there I was hoping for an informative reply

[Fittster]

You do realise you'll miss years of time on the water while you build a boat (it will take longer than you think).

If the ultimate aim is to get on the water buy a boat (you'll still have lots to do when bit break at regular intervals).

[Tsippy]

We were aiming to do it whilst doing lessons / crewing for other people so by the time we've completed it we'll be quite experienced Plus it's only an 18foot one so not a major project compared to some out there (plus working from home has its advantages! )

[Jackleman]

I have got quite a lot of experience in boat repair and building, it is perfectly possible to build your own boat. As a novice I would stay clear of GRP. You should probably look at building a boat out of wood and I would recommend a the book "Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction", it has almost everything you need to know in it.

The easiest method of boat building is known as stitch and tape, this involves stitching panels of plywood together and then laying grp reinforcements along the joins. You buy many kits that use this method. I would look at the plans here http://www.selway-fisher.com/

There is a college in Southampton that does short courses in boat construction also.

[Tsippy]

Thanks, have you used Selway designs yourself? I was also looking at some of the John Welsford and Bruce Roberts designs which seem do-able.

I have noticed that a lot of the designs are similar to model plane construction (built from scratch rather than kit-based)in that you setup formers for the interior, and then put stringers and a skin overthem so we'll probably look at this method too as well as what you have recommended.

Thanks for recommending the book too, I'll get it ordered this week

[Ayahuasca]

Good thread.

I am thinking of buying an old 18 foot classic daysailer that needs restoration - so whilst not exactly building from scratch it will need a lot of work.

My only experience so far as been restoring a Mirror Dinghy so should be a challenge.


My top tip - when in doubt, epoxy is the answer.

[Snoggledog]

Go and have a chat with some boat builders. They're usually a helpful bunch who'll be fairly happy to point you in the right direction.

[tr7v8]

www.duckworks.com has loads of people on it & masses of knowledge.

[rhinochopig]

If you're really keen, there is a wooden boat building course at a college down south. My father used them in the past to build a cog boat. He re-built one himself for a sailing charity, and they offered to do a second if they could borrow the original.

I can find out the details if you're really interested.

ETA It may have been in lowestoft

Edited by rhinochopig on Thursday 1st July 14:26

[Snoggledog]

Pretty certain that Southampton Solent University did a short course on boat building.

[Jackleman]

Here is a picture of one of the boats I helped to build, we needed a little help from the Army!!

[Ayahuasca]

Discovery Channel had a series about a guy building a small wooden boat by traditional methods.


I just re-read Joshua Slocum's 'sailing alone around the world'. The first chapter is basically him chopping down some trees and building a 36 foot boat in a field with them. They knew how to do it in the old days1

[Tsippy]

Was it this place ?

http://www.ibtc.co.uk/

[Jackleman]

Tsippy said:

Was it this place ?

http://www.ibtc.co.uk/

This is probably the best place to go if you want to become a fully fledged shipwright, but they may do shorter courses. I have known several people who went here including the bloke who I helped build the boat above!

[Tsippy]

I'll get in touch with them, I think their courses are probably too indepth (and expensive....£10k? ) so hopefully another college in the area would do something more suited.

[Jackleman]

Yeah, I think their courses run for nearly a year!

I think the college in Southampton that was mentioned above does some shorter ones.

[Simpo Two]

Ayahuasca said:

I just re-read Joshua Slocum's 'sailing alone around the world'. The first chapter is basically him chopping down some trees and building a 36 foot boat in a field with them. They knew how to do it in the old days

And they did it without forums and Google! If and when the internet goes bang I fear for all of us.

[rhinochopig]

Tsippy said:

Was it this place ?

http://www.ibtc.co.uk/

That's the fella