So, there has been much surfing of the net over recent days, and a lot of boat plans have been perused and cogitated over. There is just so much out there to get a handle on. I'd like to build most of them, even the Shanty Boats look appealing in their own way.
The search now needs t be narrowed down, though, and I think It's time to draw up a list of what I / we want from a boat and from the build, and then use this checklist to find a suitable shortlist of possible candidates.
The list of requirements is currently as follows.
1) Simple Build - Stitch and glue probably.
2) No more than 14' long due to space in the garage.
3) Stable and rugged for general messing about.
4) Able to be rowed at a pinch, and to take a small outboard.
5) Not necessarily fast, but must be comfortable in a choppy estuary.
6) Fairly light and able to be launched from the end of the garden down a 1' drop into the canal.
7) Able to be taken through a canal lock, or portaged round it (perhaps on a trolley)
8) able to carry several (4-6) adults plus a picnic / gear.
9) Have a flat bottom, or the ability to construct a packaway sleeping platform.
10) Car-toppable.
11) Relatively cheap to build.
So, not much to ask for there, then.
At the moment I am drawn to the Dogsbody by Gavin Atkin, to a Garvey, and to a multitude of skiffs and dories. The problem with the latter is the outboard requirement.
Next post, hopefully, will be the final shortlist of 5 boats. Then it will be decision time. Exciting stuff.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Initial Thoughts
Well, another wannabe amateur boatbuilder joins the ranks...
I've held a huge ambition to build a boat since my late teens. As a 15 year old I helped my dad build a Mirror Dinghy. Learning to sail in this then progressed to sailing in a series of boats - predominantly the Hunter Sonata - and racing for several seasons on the Clyde and the West Coast of Scotland.
I moved down south as a student and lived in London for several years where I developed a taste for traditional style boats, either actual working craft or inspired by them. Thames Barges, Essex Oyster Smacks, gaff-rigged open boats of all sorts -with yawls being a particular favourite. I also sailed some more, this time on the Solent, including two round the island races and some seriously cold but crowd-free winter cruising.
Returning to Scotland I started to race again, mainly on an International One Design. Beautifully built out of wood, this really helped to cement my thoughts as to the medium I would like to use if I ever managed to build my own.
Well here I am now, aged 43, and I finally have the space at home to build in the shape of an 18ft garage. I also have a canal at the end of the garden and a 9-month old son to inspire me.
I've been looking for a design for a while. Initially I was going to go for a canoe, possibly the Waterman 13 from Selway-Fisher, as a first project. I may still do that some day, perhaps along with my son once he is older. However, on further reflection I want to make something simple first to get used to using my limited time effectively and to working with wood, epoxies and all the various tools and other gizmos I'll need to become proficient in. I also want something a bit larger and more robust than a canoe that will comfortably take me, my family and friends up or down the canal to a pub for lunch, or possibly stick behind the car on a trailer for a spot of weekend estuary exploration and fishing. What I am NOT looking to build initially is anything complicated or particularly well-finished. It is a first build after all - that stuff can wait until the second boat when my skills will be better!
I am therefore now erring more towards a larger rowing skiff or simple motor boat to use with oars or a small outboard, and which while giving me the experience I need, will not take up too much time before I move onto the main event.
This will most probably be a John Welsford Navigator. I have been admiring this design in the blogs and posts of other builders for some time now. If I had the space I would go for a Pathfinder, but I don't (maybe an extension to the house incorporating a large workshop is in order - but at what cost...?). I have also been the guest for a day in Plymouth with Steve, the very generous owner of Arwen which he built himself, too. Thanks Steve. What an inspirational day that was. His blog will be added as a link to this one once I figure out how to do it.
This wonderful day out helped me to decide on the Navigator as the build of choice. I has been masterfully designed to be as easy as possible for an amateur to put together whilst at the same time not compromising on seakeeping or aesthetics.
This is not something that can be said for many amateur plans. Personally speaking and from a functionally perspective this is not a problem and many people will derive much pleasure from simpler looking alternatives. Not for me, though - it's back to the work-boat inspiration, thing - even if it means a longer build.
Where am I at with all this now, then? Well, primarily waiting for the decision to be made on what to build first, and more immediately waiting for the post to arrive tomorrow with a copy of "Ultrasimple Boat Building" to help me to make that decision. Anticipation is running high in our household.
So, this blog is all about my journey of discovery into the world of small boat building in wood. I will document the highs and lows of the various builds, and the subsequent adventures I hope that I will have with whatever I build and with whoever cares to join me. I hope you enjoy reading it, and please feel free to comment as and when you feel you have something to say.
Oh, and I don't know who said it and I paraphrase, but apparently the amount of fun you can have in a boat is inversely proportional to it's size. I really hope so, and will let you know.
Simon.
I've held a huge ambition to build a boat since my late teens. As a 15 year old I helped my dad build a Mirror Dinghy. Learning to sail in this then progressed to sailing in a series of boats - predominantly the Hunter Sonata - and racing for several seasons on the Clyde and the West Coast of Scotland.
I moved down south as a student and lived in London for several years where I developed a taste for traditional style boats, either actual working craft or inspired by them. Thames Barges, Essex Oyster Smacks, gaff-rigged open boats of all sorts -with yawls being a particular favourite. I also sailed some more, this time on the Solent, including two round the island races and some seriously cold but crowd-free winter cruising.
Returning to Scotland I started to race again, mainly on an International One Design. Beautifully built out of wood, this really helped to cement my thoughts as to the medium I would like to use if I ever managed to build my own.
Well here I am now, aged 43, and I finally have the space at home to build in the shape of an 18ft garage. I also have a canal at the end of the garden and a 9-month old son to inspire me.
I've been looking for a design for a while. Initially I was going to go for a canoe, possibly the Waterman 13 from Selway-Fisher, as a first project. I may still do that some day, perhaps along with my son once he is older. However, on further reflection I want to make something simple first to get used to using my limited time effectively and to working with wood, epoxies and all the various tools and other gizmos I'll need to become proficient in. I also want something a bit larger and more robust than a canoe that will comfortably take me, my family and friends up or down the canal to a pub for lunch, or possibly stick behind the car on a trailer for a spot of weekend estuary exploration and fishing. What I am NOT looking to build initially is anything complicated or particularly well-finished. It is a first build after all - that stuff can wait until the second boat when my skills will be better!
I am therefore now erring more towards a larger rowing skiff or simple motor boat to use with oars or a small outboard, and which while giving me the experience I need, will not take up too much time before I move onto the main event.
This will most probably be a John Welsford Navigator. I have been admiring this design in the blogs and posts of other builders for some time now. If I had the space I would go for a Pathfinder, but I don't (maybe an extension to the house incorporating a large workshop is in order - but at what cost...?). I have also been the guest for a day in Plymouth with Steve, the very generous owner of Arwen which he built himself, too. Thanks Steve. What an inspirational day that was. His blog will be added as a link to this one once I figure out how to do it.
This wonderful day out helped me to decide on the Navigator as the build of choice. I has been masterfully designed to be as easy as possible for an amateur to put together whilst at the same time not compromising on seakeeping or aesthetics.
This is not something that can be said for many amateur plans. Personally speaking and from a functionally perspective this is not a problem and many people will derive much pleasure from simpler looking alternatives. Not for me, though - it's back to the work-boat inspiration, thing - even if it means a longer build.
Where am I at with all this now, then? Well, primarily waiting for the decision to be made on what to build first, and more immediately waiting for the post to arrive tomorrow with a copy of "Ultrasimple Boat Building" to help me to make that decision. Anticipation is running high in our household.
So, this blog is all about my journey of discovery into the world of small boat building in wood. I will document the highs and lows of the various builds, and the subsequent adventures I hope that I will have with whatever I build and with whoever cares to join me. I hope you enjoy reading it, and please feel free to comment as and when you feel you have something to say.
Oh, and I don't know who said it and I paraphrase, but apparently the amount of fun you can have in a boat is inversely proportional to it's size. I really hope so, and will let you know.
Simon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)