So hear goes - I am starting my first boat building experience using the stitch and glue method. It's actually going to be a real fun project as I am going to be starting very small to learn the process and then build our family boat. My first project is going to be a small boat just big enough to fit a twin bed into as my toddler son is going to be moving out of his crib. I'd like to build so that when he is done using it as a bed he can use for floating in the water. I am getting my hands on Sam Devlins book and will be reading through it. Any suggestions, specially on the tools, anyone in Northern California (Sacramento area) that has built using this method want to connect I'd love to take advantage of any help I can get. After selling My Heaven I'd like to get back out on the water again and if I can build the next family boat what a great way to get back out and learn about what might be my next career! More on that later.
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Boat building, 101
- Thread starter bshillam
- Start date
What fun! I built my son a "tug boat" bed when he was about 2. Used it for about 5 years. It was never designed to float--but he loved it.
I think that Stitch and Glue is a great method of construction and have made several small boats that way---max size about 16 feet. However, the same construction can be used in much larger boats. I saw one of Devlin's (I think) 42 or 47 footers--beautiful!.
I think that Stitch and Glue is a great method of construction and have made several small boats that way---max size about 16 feet. However, the same construction can be used in much larger boats. I saw one of Devlin's (I think) 42 or 47 footers--beautiful!.
matt_unique
New member
I recommend buying plans from an outfit called beateau. Jacques (owner) provides great support and sells complete kits in addition to plans. http://www.bateau.com/
I've built two via stitch and glue and my most recent was via screw and glue.
My first tip - buy plastic bags that a baker would use specifically to put frosting on cakes. This will make the filet's MUCH easier, cleaner, and faster.
Second, buy the expensive marine plywood. Okume is the best, Mercanti is also good. You can opt for regular plywood from Home Depot but it will be full of voids and you will have to cover the entire wood in epoxy resin resulting in nearly the same cost as the good stuff. A 4X8 sheet of 1/4" Okume will cost $100.
Lastly, forget what every plan maker will say in their descriptions in terms of time and cost. Building a boat is dramatically more expensive than buying one from West Marine and will take you at least a month if you have a full time job. The cost will be about $800 for materials.
The experience is great and you will have a work of art that was built by your hands. That is very rewarding.
Good luck and enjoy!
I've built two via stitch and glue and my most recent was via screw and glue.
My first tip - buy plastic bags that a baker would use specifically to put frosting on cakes. This will make the filet's MUCH easier, cleaner, and faster.
Second, buy the expensive marine plywood. Okume is the best, Mercanti is also good. You can opt for regular plywood from Home Depot but it will be full of voids and you will have to cover the entire wood in epoxy resin resulting in nearly the same cost as the good stuff. A 4X8 sheet of 1/4" Okume will cost $100.
Lastly, forget what every plan maker will say in their descriptions in terms of time and cost. Building a boat is dramatically more expensive than buying one from West Marine and will take you at least a month if you have a full time job. The cost will be about $800 for materials.
The experience is great and you will have a work of art that was built by your hands. That is very rewarding.
Good luck and enjoy!
matt_unique
New member
I have pictures in my album of my last stitch and glue build as well as my most recent screw and glue build. Part of the fun is finishing the vessel to your liking. I always liked the 'rope' looking rub rail as you can see from my boats.
bshillam,
I built a stitch and glue 19' kayak about 1983 from a kit I bought from Pygmy Kayaks about the time he was first getting started in business in Washington state. Great outfit and has been growing ever since. The kayak is still going strong lighter in weight than a comparable size kevlar boat, and easily repairable if ever needed. As I recall the important things in my experience were making sure I understood the build instructions before proceeding, making certain that I adequately blocked and supported the panels as they went together and taking my time with it. I was working at the time and built in the evenings and weekends and had the boat completed in a couple weeks. The project was fun and I felt easy after I was finished with it. The biggest mistake I made was using the resin too sparingly on my taped seams and not wetting them out enough. There are still sections of glass tape visible because I had not soaked them enough. This has not been a structural problem and they have been strong but the finish, in places, does not look as nice as it would have if they had been made to become transparent by a good soaking.
Good luck with the project, I know you will enjoy it and have a boat you will be proud of for many years!
Rich
I built a stitch and glue 19' kayak about 1983 from a kit I bought from Pygmy Kayaks about the time he was first getting started in business in Washington state. Great outfit and has been growing ever since. The kayak is still going strong lighter in weight than a comparable size kevlar boat, and easily repairable if ever needed. As I recall the important things in my experience were making sure I understood the build instructions before proceeding, making certain that I adequately blocked and supported the panels as they went together and taking my time with it. I was working at the time and built in the evenings and weekends and had the boat completed in a couple weeks. The project was fun and I felt easy after I was finished with it. The biggest mistake I made was using the resin too sparingly on my taped seams and not wetting them out enough. There are still sections of glass tape visible because I had not soaked them enough. This has not been a structural problem and they have been strong but the finish, in places, does not look as nice as it would have if they had been made to become transparent by a good soaking.
Good luck with the project, I know you will enjoy it and have a boat you will be proud of for many years!
Rich
I plan on allowing whatever time it's going to take make to finish this first boat. It is going to be the "learning" boat.
https://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=433
I have always wanted to work with wood this maybe a great way for me to marry my love of the water with my great interest in wood working. If all goes well I'll move to a second boat with a 10-20 horse dory style bottom. Something like the following,
http://spirainternational.com/study/Cal ... nStudy.pdf
Anyone knows of a good (internet or Sacramento area) place to by supplies?[/url][/code]
https://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=433
I have always wanted to work with wood this maybe a great way for me to marry my love of the water with my great interest in wood working. If all goes well I'll move to a second boat with a 10-20 horse dory style bottom. Something like the following,
http://spirainternational.com/study/Cal ... nStudy.pdf
Anyone knows of a good (internet or Sacramento area) place to by supplies?[/url][/code]
I built a DC-10 Sailboat several years ago. I would suggest checking out the Wooden Boat Store on-line. I used them for epoxy, mahogany, and some tools. Also, there is a super funky, old time hardware store by Lake Union that has every hand tool you could imagine. For the life of me, I can not remember the name but, maybe someone here will! For Sitka Spruce and Ash I went to Fred Tebb & Sons in Tacoma, I got 12' planks that you could follow the grain from one end to the other and not even a shadow of a knot. For low density filler, go to a builder (like Triton Marine). If you can get it from them in bulk, it will be a fraction of the marine store price. Lastly, when working with epoxy for extended periods, a good respirator is a must.
Have fun!!!
Have fun!!!