Build a Boat from Wood

How to Build a Boat using wood, one of the most beautiful and satisfying of materials for the DIY, backyard, builder to use.

If you want to build a boat from wood the first thing to consider are the various construction methods.

Next consider where you are going to do the building.

If you are planning to build her in your back yard, will you have enough room to work on her?

Will you be able to get her out when she is finished?

Might your neighbours object when that that fifty-foot super yacht towers above the fence?

There are still a few boat yards were self-builders can rent enough hard standing to build a boat but they are becoming rare.

These days it is a sad fact that most yards and marinas prefer shiny white plastic

You might be able to reduce the cost by using reclaimed timber.

However, it is false economy to build a boat from substandard materials.

Apart from the hassle of having to replace stuff later, you might be putting your life and the life of your crews in danger.

On the up side you will be able to spread much of the cost out over the length of the project.

But buying in bulk will save money,

• If you can afford it.
• and have somewhere suitable to store the materials.

Unless you are a naval architect you must have suitable plans.

Don’t even start to build a boat without, you can however use the 'Diagonal Scale' to copy dimentions from a photograph or illustration.

There are innumerable designers willing to sell you plans and many free ones to be found online.

But before buying try to have a look at a finished version.

You may find that what looks pretty in a line drawing looks hideous in reality and vice versa.

Carvel Planking

 

Lapstrake or Clinker Planking.

Strip Planking.

Strip Planking is basically carvel but using narrow strips of wood instead of planks.

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Nowadays the strips are normally glued together with epoxy, though they can be nailed.

The backbone and frames can be built up from laminations with inner and outer stems to simplify construction. 

The strips are usually bought ready machined with a concave grove on the top and convex on the bottom or with a tongue and groove. 

Not easy to repair due to the strips being fastened together. 

New patches may have to be scarfed into or laminated on to the existing boat hull.

 

Build a Boat by Stitching and Gluing.

Builders of wooden boats have been stitching planks together since time immemorial.

But it is since the development of epoxy resins that the method has become so successful for the self builder.

The usual practice was to stitch the panels together using wire but many builders now use plastic cable ties.

A word of warning on epoxies.

Make sure you are not allergic to them.

Many years ago I was considering a large stitch and glue/epoxy project.

Plywood on Frame.

Before stitch and glue method to build a boat became popular, plywood boats were often made by constructing a framework which was then sheathed with plywood.

The plywood would be affixed to the frames using a variety of methods such as glue, screws and even nails, nowadays it is normal to use epoxy.

The normal design shape is hard chine, either flat or ‘V’ bottomed. As with stitch and glue, it is always best to build a boat from good quality marine grade plywood and it does need to be properly sealed with epoxy.

Usually these also are sheathed with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin.

Repairs are relatively easy

Damaged areas can be cut back and new plywood scarfed or butted in using epoxy.

Have a look at the Project Boats being built by Andrew in Tasmania and Eddie in Ireland.

 

Cold Molding.

Cold molding is fairly uncommon way to build a boat theses days.

Basically it is a method where a minimum of two layers of thin plywood or veneer are laminated on top of each other.

The layers running in different directions usually at 45 degrees to each other, the most common being double diagonal.
This does produce a strong monoque boat structure.

However this method does require an underlying structure on which to lay the strips.

The usual method is to construct a mold first or lay the strips on a strip planked former.

The extra work involved in making the mold makes it an unattractive self build option.

Repairs are not easy.

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