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[H872]How To Boat Building

by Morten Olesen, Mor

Boat building has long been a passion for many people. The relaxation of crafting something from hand, the pride in accomplishing a project and the joy of sailing away on a boat you made yourself all add to the excitement of boat building. However, some never get to experience this leisurely pursuit because they think they have nowhere to build a boat.

The launch of the television show NCIS has heightened the awareness of boat building as Mark Harmon's character, Special Agent Gibbs, pours over his boat plans in almost every episode. Granted, building a boat in your basement might not be the best idea (Gibbs never explained how he got the boat out of his house), but there are other ways to create an affordable boat building workshop.

A Little Space Will Do Ya

Building a boat doesn't require a large amount of dedicated space. Most boat builders use whatever is available and will make due in a temporary situation. A garage or shed, a pent roof or tent, even a few pieces of PVC pipe glued together with a few tarps tossed over the top will do. The important thing is not the space itself, but what you put in your boat building space.

Stocking Your Workshop

When deciding where to build your boat, here are some things of importance to remember. You'll want your workshop to be a bit larger than the boat you want to build. Three feet of free space around the boat is optimal, but less would certainly do. You will want enough space to be able to freely move around all sides of the boat. You can use your boat plans to determine the finished size. Then add two to three feet to each side to calculate the size of your workshop.

Climate Controlled

The only reason (other than your own, personal comfort) to work in a climate-controlled area is the use of epoxy, which can only be used in temperatures of 41F (5C) and above. Therefore if you are not able to heat your workshop, make sure you build during seasons where the lowest temperatures don't fall below 41F (5C).

For those working in spaces that are not climate controlled, you can start building during wintertime when the temperatures are low. This will give you time to loft, cut and assemble the pieces from your boat plans. Then, once the weather gets warmer, you can move on with using glue, fiberglass tape and epoxy.

Electricity

In optimal conditions, your workshop will have electrical power for power tools, lights, etc. Drop cords run to the worksite will do nicely. However, most boat plans can be built using only hand tools if necessary.

Tools

If you're using power tools, either a circular saw or saber saw will be needed, otherwise, you'll need a handsaw. In addition, you'll want to equip your workshop with pencils, a measuring tape, a lumber fillet (you can use plastic spoons for this!), a carpenter's square and sandpaper. That's it!

Safety

Be sure your workshop is well ventilated when working with paints and stains. It's no fun building a boat when you feel queasy! Also, you'll want to wear gloves when working with epoxy, as it is highly dangerous if it gets on your skin.

As you can see, it's easy to create a makeshift boat building workshop. With a little space, some sort of cover and a few simple tools, you'll be crafting your dream boat sooner than you think!

Plywood is used in different applications including boat construction. This is a wood product made from many sheets of veneer or plies. It undergoes the process of pressing together, glued and grains going in multiple directions.

Plywood is a high quality wooded sheet that has resistance to:

•cracking
•breaking
•twisting
•warping
•bending and
•shrinkage

In boat-building, it is not practical to discuss all types of lumber. There are specific woods common in each country yet imported lumbers can also be found.

The common rule:

Any lumber in the locale that becomes successful in boat-making can be applied.

Although there are some characteristics of the wood that need to be considered like:

•weight
•strength
•decay resistance

Look for wood that will match these requirements. If the boat designer wants a lightweight lumber like Sitka Spruce, do not give him white oak. It would double the weight of Sitka Spruce. White oak weighs heavier. Weight will affect the performance of the boat. You can use woods of similar weight and strength as substitute. They must also prove to be successful for boat making.

In buying Lumber

Determine first the required thickness of wood material to be used. The designer must note in the plan or material listing the specific lumber thickness. The thickness of the lumber is usually the first dimension. It is called the sided dimension. For practicality, the designer must give specific standard for lumberyard dimensions like:

•1” material refer to four quarters or
•1” material to 1” NET

When asking for a quotation, note these to your lumber supplier. You can also purchase just one big board and re-saw them into desired pieces to save money.

Example:

Specified three 1” x 2” members, group these together. You can cut this from one big board sized 1” x 6” + extra allowance.

To re-saw this board, you will need a power saw. It can be a:

•table saw or
•radial arm saw

In Selecting Lumber

Select the actual board to use after deciding on the type of lumber. Wide width is mostly preferable. Long length is advantageous. When the plan needs a member 20' long but the available is only 12', it can be formed by:

•Scarf joint or
•Butt joint

The builder must check his plan to assure that the joint be found at a strategic location.

Example:

By using a butt joint and butt lock, a two 10' length can be used to make 20' member. It is probable that the joint be found in the location of the hull. It has stern curvature that will make the joint more difficult to make. On the other hand, 12' and 8' length makes 20' member also. It could be manipulated to locate the joint outside curvature. It will simplify the joint.

To select appropriate material, the builder must check all choices against the plan. The lumber for boat making project must be seasoned. It means removing moisture from the wood. It is done to improve its purpose.

The two methods of lumber seasoning are Air drying and Kiln drying. The characteristics of the two methods:

1. Air drying process

•It is the best process
•It requires year or more of drying time

2. Kiln drying process

•It is acceptable if done correctly
•It can leave more moisture in the wood if rushed or
•It removed too much moisture in the wood that makes it brittle if cooked

If it is cooked, the wood will no longer be suitable for boat building. And, if the wood contains much moisture after seasoning, the wood will shrink or split. If possible, select boards that have vertical grain also called edge grain or rift sawn stock. These boards expand and contract without too much distortion.

Look for lumber defects

Defects must be checked. People confused with blemish as defects. Blemish affects only the appearance but not the service it gives. A defect is an irregularity on the wood that may affect strength. It is sometimes limited to a certain area only. It can be cut away.

Two types of defects:

•Those caused by seasoning
•Those caused by the way of tree growth

Seasoning defects are caused by removing moisture and shrinkage. Common seasoning defects include checking and warping. Natural defects caused by growth depend on the species of lumber.

Common natural defects are:

•knots
•cross-grain in wood
•shake
•decay and rot

Article Source : Fun And Easy Crafts

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Both Morten Olesen & David H. Urmann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Morten Olesen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hobbies for the Family, Pearls and Crafts. Morten Olesen is a master boat builder and Naval Architect. Visit Morten's site to get his excl. Morten Olesen's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.

David H. Urmann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Promotional Advertising, Cooking Tips and Travel and Leisure. For more information on and. David H. Urmann's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.