Building a One sheet boat

Warning: Woodworking is inherently dangerous. You are using sharp tools some of them spinning at large RPM's. You need to be wearing eye protection at all times, hearing protection as needed and because you are going to be working on some very small pieces you must use a push stick. Niether I or Instructables bear any responsibility if you do something stupid, lose focus, act carelessly, or recklessly.
The same can be said about boating, you should be wearing a life vest anytime you are in a boat and always acting in a safe manner.
The town I live in has a boat building/ racing contest every year. The challenge to this contest is the materials you are allowed to use as well as the ones you are not.

The materials include:
1) 1 sheet of Plywood (any thinckness)  
2) 2 8 foot long 2X4's
3) 1 Roll of Duct tape (Essential for almost everything I build)
4) 1 Lbs of fasteners (I chose 1X6 rough thread drywall screws)

You are not allowed to use Glue, Epoxy, Chaulk, Silicone... In short NO adhesives at all.
The boats may be decorated with paint and will also be judged on theme and appearance.

I had paint laying around so my total cash outlay was less then $50
Here is a link tot he Yahoo groups that I got the plan / desgn from along with some great advice. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/onesheetwonders/

Step 1 Materials

1) 1 4'X 8' sheet of 1/4 inch B/C grade plywood
2) 2 8" 2x4's (As few knots and a straight as possible, Yeah, Yeah I know) If you are not entering a contest like I was you might want to  get a knot free 1x4 for the chine logs.
3) 1 Roll of Duct tape. (Once again if you are not entering a contest like I did get yourself some waterproof adhesive, chaulk and maybe some fiberglass tape and resin for the seams.)
4) 1 Lbs of fasteners, I used about 1/2 lb of 1"x6 coarse thread drywall screws. I f you can get 3/4 inch that will be great for the Chines and Gunwales  and Iwales (Pronouned gunnel and innel).
5) You will also need a scrap piece of wood 32" x12" that you will use for a removable form

Comments

[miketayse]

The boat looks great! I am going to build one. How stable is the flat bottom?

[Verga]

It is pretty stable, You are seated on the bottom and I have swamped it but I had to lean a lot to do it.
I weigh about 200 lbs and had about 5-6 inches of freeboard.
Good luck and psot a picture when you are done please.

[Kazelie]

How many people could fit in this boat?

[Verga]

It is strictly a one person boat. I weigh about 200 lbs and it has about 6inches of freeboard (you can see that in the pictures where I test it out at the quarry).
I suppose you caould put two small children in, But I don't reccomend that. I also strongly suggest wearing a life preserver/ jacket of some type.

[Kazelie]

Thank you. The other thing I was wondering is how balanced is it?

[Verga]

Couple of things, you are sitting on the bottom but it is a very narrow bottom. It does tip but you need to make a conscience effort to do it.
I pulled the paddle very hard and it didn't tip in eiother the quarry or the pool.

[Kazelie]

Ok thanks :D

[colorex]

Verga, I have been considering prices for plywood... Yes I am going to build a boat. I always do a lot of research before I build something, though. Researching latex and fiberglass now...

[colorex]

Do you know what your username means in ecuadorian spanish?

[matarrese88]

Who declared you the FCC of instructables? There is no way you should be questioning this guys name or whether or not he is latin. It sounds like you have too much time on your hands.

[colorex]

Are YOU questioning me? Not that I am anyone of importance, but this discussion ended already... Anyway, let's not spam anymore on Verga's (very good) Instructable.

[Verga]

It is my last name, I am 1/2 Sicilian and in that language it means "Staff" or "Walking stick". Since this is a family site let's not get into any other translations.

[colorex]

As you wish. It means youre not latin. If you were, I would have reported you...
By the way I might build this some day. Nice Instructable!

[agis68]

nice job well executed for sure 5/5. This boat is ideal for calm waters like lakes. Do you have any recommendation for sea waters? Any change to shape? any idea?

[theburn7]

you wouldn't want a small boat like this on the ocean. If you did, it would have to have cover from water getting in like a kayak, and I recommend filling it with Styrofoam so it can float.

[agis68]

and maybe a V shape at bottom....

[theburn7]

Hull shape is always important. Go on the ocean with a small boat, and see how treacherous it is, and figure out what you need to do.

[friger]

I love it! I just sold my 2 sheet kayak/canoe last week and was thinking a of building something to replace it. This might be the ticket. Quick and easy.

[farzadbayan]

That's like a lake! Beautiful! :D

[Verga]

Roughly the same, You will have to do some planing with a hand plane or belt sander to get the angle.
Good luck with your build and feel free to ask any other questions

[mista.v]

So basically, if I don't have a table saw, I can just buy 1x2s and it'll be the same?

[SFX Master]

Truly and awesome build! I'm seriously considering making one. Thanks alot for the instruction!

[paulie9026]

Quick tip for you....if you cut all of your plywood parts on a sheet of 2 inch board insulation, your work surface doesn't have to suffer. Trust me..I learned this on the hard way!

[Verga]

Good tip.
I just layed mine on 2 2x4'sand set the circular saw depth for 1/2 inch.
But your method will give it more stability.

[McNoodle]

about how much did this cost and how much weight can it hold?

[Verga]

Cost is based on the quality of the matierials you buy and how many mistakes you have. It also depends on what you have laying around the house. Also the rules for the competition I was in did not allow me to use any glue for this. Some glues are quite expensive, or if you coat it with an epoxy or Polyester resin that will add to the cost.
That being said The 1/ 4 inch B/ C plywood I used was about $20-$23
The 2 x 4's cost about $5 each(I bought Premium grade to reduce the knots and I spent about 40 minutes going through the pile.
I used coarse thread drywall screws these were about $5. I had to use 1" but 3'/4 would have been preferred.
Primer is about $8- $10 and Paint is $10- $15.
All told about $50.
As far as weight I weigh about 200 lbs witht he paddle life vest about 210 lbs and I had about 4-5" of freeboard.

[thenickp]

Very nice job Verga! I have a question I hope you can answer and forgive me if the terminology is not correct. Could I square off the back of the boat - make about a one foot wide transom and use an electric motor with this design? I'm sorry if this has been asked already, but I couldn't find it... thank you!!!

[msil3070]

Hi, I did exactly that with this design with the thought of adding a small electric outboard on the back. I already had it from on old canoe..

I also squared and changed the angle on the bow, put a keel strip, made it a bit wider and lowered the thwarts so my kids could sit on them ..

Sadly It was dangerously "tippy" and we didnt even try the outboard.
In the end we just added some rollocks and have been happily and safely rowing on our local river ever since. Here's a pic of my son....Cheers

[thenickp]

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like you did exactly what I thought about doing - sounds like you saved me a lot of unnecessary work. Thanks again and the boat (and your son) look great!!! ATB, Nick

[Verga]

WOW very nice job and he looks like he is having a blast!

[Verga]

You might be able to, if you go tot he "One sheet wonders" yahoo forum they have several designs with a squared back. This boat is very tippy and with me in it. there is only about 6" of freeboard on the side. I weigh about 200lbs

[thenickp]

Thanks Verga... you confirmed my fears (I'm about 215) so I may have to go to a "two sheet wonder"... all the best my friend, Nick

[mr.incredible]

Beautiful and simple. Great 'ible. 5/5

A keel strip about an inch thick by 3 inches wide, would help a lot with tracking. It would also help with the strength of the bottom.

I might adapt your design to an outrigger sail boat for my kids to play with. I will however use caulking and a little stronger gunal bands. I don't have to follow your race rules. :-) 

[Verga]

I took first place in my age group and first place over all. I will a couple of additonal pictures

[lazarus441]

Hello Vegra, could you please be so kind and let me know the "metric" sizes for the "step 1 materials" And please explain what "B/C grade plywood" is Thanks you

[dread]

This is the standard American grading system for "select" softwood lumber (US Dept of Commerce ratings / standards). B/C is lumber that falls into one or the other of these two definitions (same system is used in Canada as a lot of softwood is exported to the US) B: "A few, small defects but nearly perfect. Used for fine furniture, exposed cabinetry, trim, flooring." C: "Small tight knots. May be nearly perfect on one side. Used for most furniture, shelving, some trim and flooring."

[lazarus441]

Thanks. two questions are still there:
(1) 2 pieces 8" => (foot?)
(2) 2x4's => (2 inch x 4 inch?)

No need for the metric sizes any more, i can convert them for myself

Mfg Lars

[Verga]

Yes the 2x4's are 2 inches (Actual size about 1 3/4 inch) and 4 inches (Actual size about 3 3/4 inch) by 8 ft long.

[pop88]

Good idea Good work

[the_greg]

Nice job - both boat and instructable. Did you use exterior / treated ply ?