lapstrake boats

[Eric John]

Evening everyone,
I have never built a boat, I do fine with furniture and hope some skills spillover. I dont even have a shop up yet (Why? I'm still not sure, recently moved and it hasnt worked out real well for me, hope this will lift my spirits and get me back on track, LOL) but have been really thinking of a small boat project. anyway, I have been looking at john brooks book (the ellen) and kinda like the idea of a small rowboat you could also maybe sail a little, to htat end I also have been looking at Arch Davis's Penobscot14. they seem to have two different methods, one with ribs (penobscot) and one without (ellen). I'm asking who might have experience, which they think might be a better first time go.
Thank you for reading this
Eric

[David Helm]

Probably the lapstrake. Learning to spile planks takes some time.

[Gary Breckenridge]

Rent a boat, steal a boat, borrow a boat. Whatever, but get some experience in the boats that interest you. The last thing you want to do is build a boat that does not fit your interests. White Elephant is not a good name for a boat. Most of my boating is in leaky 14 ft. al fishing boats. Bud I do like epoxy and mahogany. Make your decision carefully.:D

[Robert Meyer]

The penobscot 14 is one of my favorite boats and would be a very worthy project. Lapstrake planking can be done by two main methods, clinching the laps with copper fasteners or gluing them with epoxy. Both are effective. You might want to look at the book "Building Heidi" by Richard Kolin for a detailed description of every step involved in building a twelve foot flat bottom skiff with clinched laps. After reading this paperback book ($19) you will understand the process well. The glue lap process is also well explained in the books by Iain Oughtred - the master of this form. Arch Davis uses stringers (a thin stick running from transom to stem) to support each glued lapped plank to the next. Depending on the thickness of the planks, these stringers are not needed to glue laps together in other designs (Oughtred's) - but lots of clamps are. Good luck - building a lapstrake boat will give you more satisfaction than just about any woodworking you can do.

[Nate Carey]

Eric, Gary has given you some good advice. Go to a boat (wooden) show or two and talk it up with builders. Decide what you want your boat to do for you. What part of Florida are you in? There are numerous wooden boat resources in Florida. Another book to add to your library is Tom Hill's
Ultralight Boatbuilding

http://www.thomasjhillboatdesigns.com/index.html

[John Powers]

I've been sitting on the plans for the Arch Davis Sanddollar and am going to actually start. the Penobscot like the sanddollar will come with a video that makes some things clear. I have experience with stitch and glue and it can be messy. I think Arch's boats use epoxy for seams only. I suppose you could glass the bottom if local conditions dictated. I have Building Heidi in paperback yours delivered for $10.00. Lot of useful detail.

[Eric John]

Thanx Guys,
still lots of thinking to do and research I guess. sounds like good advice Gary, (heck I dont even know the first thing about sailing! lol)
Nate, turns out we seem to be closeby, Im in PSL. if you know of any lumberyards local, I 'd appreciate if you post them.
Eric

[Nate Carey]

Eric, most of my boatbuilding materials are purchased from vendors in New England. The one Florida source I have used is http://www.woodenboatrepair.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=11

...there are probably other good lumber suppliers in the Stuart area; I'd inquire with wooden boat builders i.e. http://whiticar.com/customboats/ http://www.boatsmithfl.com/ http://www.jimsmithboats.net/home.html http://www.americancustomyachts.com/

[Lawrence Smith]

Hi Eric,

I just recently finished building a 12' x 5' Harbor Skiff. Plans are by Duck Trap Boats, Walter Simmons, in Lincolnville Beach, Maine. Walt is a patient guy and will help you. I have built three of his boats so far. I started out building his "Littlest Wherry" which is four feet in length. Thank God it didn't have to float because I made it into a pretty cocktail table. The next boat was the "Rhoades Wherry" which was ten feet. It came out nice.

Most all of my materials are purchased locally here in Palm Beach County. the various sources that I used are Moores Marine on Avenue "E" in Riviera Beach. He has a good supply of white oak, mahogany, teak, silicon bronze fasteners, West System Epoxy ect. World Panel on Australian Avenue has an excellent supply of Okoume and Merante plywood at competitive prices. Marsh fasteners in Jupiter has the best supply of stainless fasteners in the area and some silicon bronze. I have used Hamilton Marine in Maine for other items such as copper rivets because I could not find a single supplier of rivets here in Florida.

Anyway, I hope this info helps you out. I am not located that far from you so give me a call or PM sometime and we can get together over a cup of coffee.

Larry :)