Wooden Boat Building is easy if you know how, have the right place to build your dream boat in, a supportive group of family and friends, enough money to carry on the project without straining the family budget, and you have selected a project within your capabilities. That is, it is easy if you have a decent idea of what you want to use the boat for when you have finished, know where you are going to store it when you are not using it, have decide how you are going to transport it, have decided on what type of boat you are going to build.
Of course you also want to know where you are going to get the plans for the boat, what tools you are going to use, how many hours it will take to build, what you are going to paint it with in order to protect it from the elements and that is before we get down to the details of the actual construction.
Confused, Disheartened, unsure of yourself, well join many thousands of well meaning people like yourself who set out on the great wooden boat building adventure, just as confused as you are.
Some give up before they start, some begin projects they never complete, some begin projects that they complete but wished they had never started.
However many begin and complete projects on time, within budget and without too many hassles. They go on to be boat owners and enjoy thoroughly the fruits of their labour.
Some, a lucky few have so much fun get so much satisfaction out of seeing the beautiful wooden boat take shape beneath their own hands that they fall in love with wooden Boat Building and go on to build not one boat but many.
Which category will you fall into depends very greatly on some decisions you have to make now before the project begins.
I will list out the 10 questions I think are the most important questions you need to answer.
1. Why do you want to Build Your Own Boat?
Make a list of at least 5 reasons, examine them carefully- be truthful. It may be better to hire or charter a boat instead.
2. Do you have the support of family and friends and neighbours in this venture?
You may not need physical help but you certainly need moral support
3. What do you want to use the boat for when you have finished building?
This will determine both type and size of the boat- are you a fisherman, a sailor, a powerboat enthusiast
4. Do you have a place you can build the boat?
Don’t laugh, the place must be suitable for the boat you are going to build – there have been stories of people needing large cranes to lift their boat over the roof of the house; at great expense; because someone didn’t check that the boat would fit down the drive.
5. How much experience do you have, what is your actual skill set, can you brush up on what you don’t know?
There are many institutions that provide wood craft classes if not actual boat building classes. The finish of the boat will depend on the skill level you can develop.
6. How much money can I commit to the project?
Think about it, if you have to downsize your dreams better to do it now. Finished boats sell readily and for good prices, unfinished boats break your heart and don’t sell for much.
7. How much time can you commit to the venture?
Estimates for how long a certain boat design will take to build are available from any place that sells plans. Add a bit for your inexperience and make sure you can commit the time. Be honest, no use starting a project in the fall with the dream of some summer fishing and just end up spending the summer break locked in the shop still sanding down and finishing the boat so you can get you wife’s car in the garage before next winter.
Having come this far thelast Questions are serious.
8. What Type of boat are you going to build?
You have the desire, the support, an idea of what you want to do with the finished boat, a place to build, and knowledge of what you are capable of, a budget in both money and time.
Now is the time to decide on a type of boat.
9. What building method are you going to use?
Come on! By now you have haunted the library, pestered friends, bought magazines, been to the local yacht club, and hung around the local boat ramp. You need to decide on a build type.
If you have no idea about build types then - STOP NOW - Go wash your hands and take up another project.
10. Where are you going to get the plans?
Do Not! Repeat Do Not even think you can build a boat without a decent set of plans.
Never start a Wooden Boat Building Project without well drawn plans. Disaster lies in that direction.
Ok ! that should give you something to think about, I’m off to sharpen the old adze and prepare for the comments ?
Wooden Boat Building can be a highly rewarding, satisfying and even profitable undertaking and yes you can build your own boat, but make sure you think before you begin.
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