Anyone with boat building experience?

[steveo_the_newbie]

I'm almost done with my current project, just having some trouble with the engine (yes I have another post asking about it). However, I already have my sights set on my next project.

I think I'm going to get one of those 'boat kits' and try building one from the ground up. It'll be lightyears ahead of what I've done, but I'll never learn anything if I don't aim high, right?

So has anyone had experience in this department? I know its going to take a lot of time, effort and green. Any tips? Links? Suggestions? Hidden costs?

And how would you go about getting the numbers and such for you boat? I don't want there to be an 'oh by the way, it'll be two grand for a mandatory safety inspection' or any of those type of costs. Anyway, just wondering if anyone is experienced with this. Thanks.

[Bob_VT]

You should hail Crab Bait. He built a nice boat.

[KRS]

built two stitch and glue boats... it's easy and enjoyable. Read the info from West System on their epoxy and boatbuilding (see their website).

Glen-L has lots of designs.

[fishingdan]

I have done it 2 times myself. It is very enjoyable. The cost is roughly equivalent to buying a decent used boat of similar design. The boat picture in my avatar was the latest. A 16' center console design from www.glen-L.com.

Getting the boat inspected and registered is nothing at all. The biggest surprise for some is that they don't realize that they must pay sales tax (at least in most states) on the materials used to build the boat if you didn't pay sales tax on those items or can't prove that they did. Keep the receipts.

A couple of good sites:

www.boatplans-online.com (great designs, great support, building method uses latest available materials).

www.glen-L.com (Many designs, but many are from the 50s/60s, site has designs for 3 different building methods, support not as good as the above site).

[tashasdaddy]

check with your state registry, in Florida 1 always register mine as being 15'9" as they don't have to be inspected. keep the receipts showing the sales tax, as fishingdan said.

[sdunt]

There's a web site and discussion groups dedicated to boat building: http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/index.cfm

Lots of great stuff I learned lots about glassing, etc from this site.

[steveo_the_newbie]

Thank you all, I am checking out the sites right now.