My First Boat

KenTheHandyMan · 12-14-2006, 11:36 AM

I finally broke down and built my first boat. It was an enjoyable process, but launching it last Saturday was even more enjoyable. I found a nice inlet where the water wasn't too deep and the waves weren't rough and spent about 3 hours out on the water.

This was phase one. Now I've got to construct the mast/sail.

It's built with 5mm exterior plywood, with one layer of fiberglass w/ 10oz cloth (just to keep the water out), and then some water proof paint. Two men can carry it no problem.

6stringmason · 12-14-2006, 03:29 PM

That would definitely be a nice little sail boat.

How tall of a mast are you going to put in and how do you plan on fastening it to the boat?

KenTheHandyMan · 12-14-2006, 03:57 PM

Plans call for a 14' mast that is actually in two sections, the top half pivots. I'll be adding some mounting fixtures to the front of the boat. It's basically a board that mounts sort of like the benches, with the exception of a hole that receives the mast. There are also some lines that tie the top of the mast to the sides and front of the boat.

I've got some books that have plans for 'traditional' style boats and use mostly 'traditional' style construction. This one is kinda in between since it uses plywood planking. There are also a lot of plans available for free on the net. It was a nice 'father-son' project.

The nice thing about this model, which is one of the reasons I picked it, is that it has an inverted 'V' hull and therefore has very little draft and does not require a centerboard.

747 · 12-17-2006, 05:36 AM

What part of Indiana are you from? Michigan City?

KenTheHandyMan · 12-17-2006, 11:43 AM

Actually, I better update my profile. Those of you that have followed some of my recent posts will know that I am now south of Ensenada, Mexico for about 7 more months!

I was east of Muncie, IN and north of Richmond, IN. The background in my boat picture is here in Mexico. If you look at the horizon, where the sand dunes and trees stop, that's the ocean.

I almost forgot to mention that I built the entire frame in my third floor shop. I then carried it down to the second floor to this patio, where I planked and fiberglassed it.

Not Sure · 12-24-2006, 05:07 PM

Very nice boat you're building there! The job looks great! So, do you like living down in Mexico? Did you retire there? Is it true that money goes a whole lot farther down in Mexico? The weather certainly looks nice!

KenTheHandyMan · 12-24-2006, 08:53 PM

I love it here. I haven't retired yet, I'm only 33. Lots of Americans have though. I'm here for a year working on an orphanage. Money goes pretty good, we have a lady do our laundry for what amounts to about $10 for half a days work. Rent is cheap but power tools are VERY high. The weather is great. Mostly clear all the time. When it does rain though, the dirt/dust streets are like a swamp buggy race!

Floorwizard · 12-27-2006, 01:44 PM

Very nice!

Bought my first boat last summer.

Wish I had the pride of making one, but no time......

Congrats to you!

Cole · 04-25-2007, 10:07 PM

Beautiful Work!

Benni · 07-28-2007, 05:21 PM

So how many fish have you caught since you finished the boat?

Nice looking boat by the way.

KenTheHandyMan · 08-01-2007, 03:19 PM

NOT A SINGLE ONE!!!!

Sad but true. I was in Mexico about a year (I just got back to the states this week) and I built it just to take the orphans out once in awhile. They love it. I left it there for them to enjoy, but I plan to build bigger and better now that I'm back in Ohio, and will definately do some fishing!

Capt Rhett · 06-23-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6stringmason

That would definitely be a nice little sail boat.

How tall of a mast are you going to put in and how do you plan on fastening it to the boat?

Don't hesitate just because you're an amateur, remember that the Ark was built by amateurs .... and the Titanic was built by professionals.

Scuba_Dave · 06-23-2009, 08:35 PM

and you are pulling a 2 year old thread cause.....?

12-14-2006, 11:36 AM	#1
KenTheHandyMan Contractor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Madison, OH Posts: 181	My First Boat I finally broke down and built my first boat. It was an enjoyable process, but launching it last Saturday was even more enjoyable. I found a nice inlet where the water wasn't too deep and the waves weren't rough and spent about 3 hours out on the water. This was phase one. Now I've got to construct the mast/sail. It's built with 5mm exterior plywood, with one layer of fiberglass w/ 10oz cloth (just to keep the water out), and then some water proof paint. Two men can carry it no problem. __________________ Regards, Ken Walker

12-14-2006, 03:29 PM	#2
6stringmason mason Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 26	My First Boat That would definitely be a nice little sail boat. How tall of a mast are you going to put in and how do you plan on fastening it to the boat?

12-14-2006, 03:57 PM	#3
KenTheHandyMan Contractor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Madison, OH Posts: 181	My First Boat Plans call for a 14' mast that is actually in two sections, the top half pivots. I'll be adding some mounting fixtures to the front of the boat. It's basically a board that mounts sort of like the benches, with the exception of a hole that receives the mast. There are also some lines that tie the top of the mast to the sides and front of the boat. I've got some books that have plans for 'traditional' style boats and use mostly 'traditional' style construction. This one is kinda in between since it uses plywood planking. There are also a lot of plans available for free on the net. It was a nice 'father-son' project. The nice thing about this model, which is one of the reasons I picked it, is that it has an inverted 'V' hull and therefore has very little draft and does not require a centerboard. __________________ Regards, Ken Walker

12-17-2006, 05:36 AM	#4
747 registered Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Illinois (kankakee county) Posts: 976	My First Boat What part of Indiana are you from? Michigan City?

12-17-2006, 11:43 AM	#5
KenTheHandyMan Contractor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Madison, OH Posts: 181	My First Boat Actually, I better update my profile. Those of you that have followed some of my recent posts will know that I am now south of Ensenada, Mexico for about 7 more months! I was east of Muncie, IN and north of Richmond, IN. The background in my boat picture is here in Mexico. If you look at the horizon, where the sand dunes and trees stop, that's the ocean. I almost forgot to mention that I built the entire frame in my third floor shop. I then carried it down to the second floor to this patio, where I planked and fiberglassed it. __________________ Regards, Ken Walker

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12-24-2006, 05:07 PM	#6
Not Sure Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 139	My First Boat Very nice boat you're building there! The job looks great! So, do you like living down in Mexico? Did you retire there? Is it true that money goes a whole lot farther down in Mexico? The weather certainly looks nice!

12-24-2006, 08:53 PM	#7
KenTheHandyMan Contractor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Madison, OH Posts: 181	My First Boat I love it here. I haven't retired yet, I'm only 33. Lots of Americans have though. I'm here for a year working on an orphanage. Money goes pretty good, we have a lady do our laundry for what amounts to about $10 for half a days work. Rent is cheap but power tools are VERY high. The weather is great. Mostly clear all the time. When it does rain though, the dirt/dust streets are like a swamp buggy race! __________________ Regards, Ken Walker

12-27-2006, 01:44 PM	#8
Floorwizard Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Alaska! Posts: 1,522	My First Boat Very nice! Bought my first boat last summer. Wish I had the pride of making one, but no time...... Congrats to you!

04-25-2007, 10:07 PM	#9
Cole Mod / ArchiBuilder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 263	My First Boat Beautiful Work!

07-28-2007, 05:21 PM	#10
Benni Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 7	My First Boat So how many fish have you caught since you finished the boat? Nice looking boat by the way.

08-01-2007, 03:19 PM	#11
KenTheHandyMan Contractor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Madison, OH Posts: 181	My First Boat NOT A SINGLE ONE!!!! Sad but true. I was in Mexico about a year (I just got back to the states this week) and I built it just to take the orphans out once in awhile. They love it. I left it there for them to enjoy, but I plan to build bigger and better now that I'm back in Ohio, and will definately do some fishing! __________________ Regards, Ken Walker

06-23-2009, 08:35 PM	#13
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	My First Boat and you are pulling a 2 year old thread cause.....?

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