Build a Boat for Kids
Ever wanted to be a pirate? Well here's your chance!
Steps
- Choose a design. Browse through our online Boat Design Catalog and decide which boat you would like to build. Be realistic. If this is your first attempt at building a boat, you probably don't want to start with our 55' Lodestar. That being said, it may also be the only boat you build, so choose something that you want and will use. (just our 2 cents).
- Purchase the Plans and Patterns. If a study plan is offered, you can start with that. There may be some terms in the plans which are unfamiliar see our online glossary which is in the "Useful Information & Suppliers" section of our website.
- Get some additional material. Whether you build a boat or not depends in large part on persistence. And, it is much more likely that you will be persistent if you are confident in what you are doing.
- Purchase a book for amateur boat builders. There are several good ones available.
- Order a Kit for your project. Or, if you like hunting, you can search high and low for the many different items you will need for building your boat. Or, to simplify the process, you can purchase a kit specifically for the design you have chosen.
- Additional items. For building a plywood boat, in addition to the kits, you will need glue as all of the permanent joints are screwed and glued (unless you are building a stitch & glue design, then disregard this!).
- You may also want to encapsulate your boat. What? Encapsulating is basically completely coating the plywood with epoxy to seal and protect the wood. The above link will go into detail about this and the amounts of additional epoxy needed to encapsulate the boat you are building are also listed in the Epoxy section.
- Gather tools needed. Boat building does not require exotic tools (unless you wish to use your project as an excuse to the spouse). A table saw would obviously be a great option, but is not necessary. Basic hand tools are adequate as well as a bunch of c-clamps.
- Visit the Boat builder Connection. This is THE boat building forum where the "big dogs" of boat building hang out. If you need to increase your confidence level or have questions, you will want to visit this forum often. This is where all of the technical questions you may have are answered either by our staff or other builders.
