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This project covers the construction of two rowboats that are primarily constructed with three sheets of plywood. The design is not mine. I used a design by Hannu Vartiala, a very generous boat enthusiast who has graciously provided boat plans free of charge on his website.
This project can be found at:
http://koti.kapsi.fi/hvartial/dinghy1/simboii.htm
This is a step-by-step documentation and explanation of the project found on that site. I've tried to simplify some of Hannu's steps for laymen like myself. You will need to refer to that page as you read this Instructable. I won't repeat Hannu's instructions step by step since this is really his design. I'll just explain how I did it, what problems I ran in to and how I got around them.
If the link to Hannu's website ever changes (I discovered that it had) please Google Hannu Vartiala and his new website should come up.
This project tool me about 3 days for the first boat and 2 days for the second.
I will also include tips for oar construction, which Hannu did not cover in his project.
This project can be found at:
http://koti.kapsi.fi/hvartial/dinghy1/simboii.htm
This is a step-by-step documentation and explanation of the project found on that site. I've tried to simplify some of Hannu's steps for laymen like myself. You will need to refer to that page as you read this Instructable. I won't repeat Hannu's instructions step by step since this is really his design. I'll just explain how I did it, what problems I ran in to and how I got around them.
If the link to Hannu's website ever changes (I discovered that it had) please Google Hannu Vartiala and his new website should come up.
This project tool me about 3 days for the first boat and 2 days for the second.
I will also include tips for oar construction, which Hannu did not cover in his project.
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Signing UpStep 1Cut the materials
I purchased 1/4" exterior plywood in 4x8 foot sheets.
With the first sheet of plywood you can cut out two side pieces and two transoms (the back end of the boat). Measure carefully and you'll be fine. Refer to Hannu's diagrams for dimensions. The first boat I made was the larger of the two.
I used a skill saw and sawhorses to cut the sides and transoms out of the wood.
Since I was already cutting, I used the last two pieces of plywood to cut the sides for the second, smaller boat sides. I kept the larger remains of both sheets of ply to cut the bottom of the boat from.
To save yourself some time in the long run, I suggest you order your oarlocks now. By the time they reach you the boat may be ready.
I found a decent deal at www.shipstore.com, specifically this item:
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/ATT/ATT91463.html
This turned out to be the only real hardware I couldn't make myself.
With the first sheet of plywood you can cut out two side pieces and two transoms (the back end of the boat). Measure carefully and you'll be fine. Refer to Hannu's diagrams for dimensions. The first boat I made was the larger of the two.
I used a skill saw and sawhorses to cut the sides and transoms out of the wood.
Since I was already cutting, I used the last two pieces of plywood to cut the sides for the second, smaller boat sides. I kept the larger remains of both sheets of ply to cut the bottom of the boat from.
To save yourself some time in the long run, I suggest you order your oarlocks now. By the time they reach you the boat may be ready.
I found a decent deal at www.shipstore.com, specifically this item:
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/ATT/ATT91463.html
This turned out to be the only real hardware I couldn't make myself.
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Not only have you inspired me to have a crack at building a boat of my own, but you also made some mistakes - saving me from doing the same. Thanks for including them.
I have just put my first coat of paint on the hull. Can't wait for sea trials. Hope she floats.
Here's a couple of ideas that worked for me and might help future makers:
1. Instead of the tie down strap to bend the sides, I just used rope and tightened it "spanish windlass" style, twisting the top and bottom parts of the rope with a stick. It worked really well tightening top and bottom evenly.
2. Just use resin and hardener for soaking the fibre-glass cloth or mat. There is no need to bulk it with saw dust. That just looks painful. Just paint some resin onto the timber, lay down the cloth, then dab more resin on to wet the cloth. Then use a roller to get the air out. The finish will be pretty smooth especially if you use a woven cloth.
3. To fill holes etc I made a putty from the fibre-glass resin and talcum powder. I found some in my wife's cupboard. It made my workshop smell like an Avon lady, but it works well. Just mix in enough to make a workable consistency.
4. Use Hannu's website. Both for instruction and inspiration. The gallery page has a lot of pictures from other makers and it's full of good ideas.
Thanks again. And to anyone tempted to try one for themselves: Just Do It!
as far as killing trees to decorate the store, most if not all the trees that I have seen there, are fake trees...the animals are also MOSTLY fake. Fake meaning the heads & such are man made no real animals are killed and/or used to decorate their stores.
I know this because I used to work for BPS in the Headquarters in Springfield MO.
I say used to because stage 4 cancer destroyed any chance I ever had at holding any kind of job ever again.
May Allah(swt) be with you always.
Is it worth it? They look great and fun!
I think it was worth it. If I were to do it again I may forego the oars and find a trolling motor on craigslist.
It also is better to have a place to use them available. It is hard to haul them out to a lake every time you want to use them.
If you do it, send along pictures!
I like the boat! you explained it well, the pics helped tie together any loose ends, & the safety tips, I love it!!!
this is a good boat for toying around in the water, I think maybe you could even add a 3.5 HP outboard (I would NOT go any larger than that tho). This was an enjoyable read.
I think it would be very easy to build a bigger boat based on what you have done here....
You did good!! TY for sharing.
Oh Yeah, if I came across a wee bit harsh about BPS, I appologize. It's just that BPS is my "go to" Store for all my fishing gear.
I was curious, how much epoxy did this project take? I'm curious what volume I should purchase.
I wasn't terribly confident in following through with this project so I went CHEAP CHEAP! lowest grade plywood and scrap lumber for everything else...
Once I had put the first boat together I was impressed - so I went whole hog with the quality of paint and adhesives I used - three seasons later it's still a sound water tight little rig.
I'd recommend this instructible as a first time boat building venture to anyone!
Thanks again.
1) It will be really difficult to get the boat to behave in very light winds. There is nothing to hold the sail in the position you want, and you may well get tangled sheets, flogged by the mainsheet etc.
2) you'll probably find that the boat won't point very high into the wind (though a lack of centreboard will be far more of a problem at this point)
3) you don't really want the sail to be a flat triangle, you want the sail to be a curved shape (think of an aeroplane wing cross section). This isn't that hard to do, and you can experiment with plastic sheeting and gaffa tape.
So the answer is a cautious 'well you could..' Honestly though for the price of a bit of old banister or equivalent and a few extra bits of rope, I'd probably stick with a boom. The extra effort making it would easily pay off in terms of faffing/ cursing time later.