intheboatshed.net

Free boat plans

14 Comments » Last modified on Oct 27th 2008

14 Responses to “Free boat plans”

1. charli Dec 31st 2009 at 05:08 am 1

   

   As my mind turns to building MY first boat during the winter months, I browsed and found many sites and such. Yours has been a great place to see and feed that desire. Thank you for your site. I live on a river that empties into the Matagorda bay, here in Texas, and the wind blows regular like crazy. But, I think that I found my first boat in the information given here on your site. Wish me luck!!! The water might be shallow here on the river but the mud is VERY deep. I’ll be sure to send you photos and let you know how it all turns out. Again, thank you.

2. Gavin Atkin Dec 31st 2009 at 09:20 am 2

   

   Glad to be of help Charli – which boat are you planning to build for your first boatbuilding project?

   Gav

3. Derek Apr 12th 2010 at 09:49 pm 3

   

   Hey, I am hoping to build the julie skiff for my first boat.
   I made the model last night but i am unsure on how it scales up, i downloaded the zip file and i am unsure on how to use your co-ordinates, please help!
   Thanks!

   -Derek

4. Gavin Atkin Apr 12th 2010 at 10:22 pm 4

   

   It’s late and I have a date with a pillow, but I’d delighted you’re interested in building this boat.

   The coordinates work like this. The letters label the many ‘significant’ points on the drawings, often they are points where two different lines join. The coordinates are pairs of numbers, as you’ll have noticed, and each pair defines a particular single point on the ply.

   It’s like plotting a graph at school, but if that doesn’t come easily think of it this way:

   Consider two coordinates 3 1/8, 6 1/2

   3 1/8 defines a line parallel to the left-hand edge that is 3 1/8in in from the edge, while 6 1/2 defines a line parallel to the bottom that is 6 1/2 up from the bottom. The point being defined is where the two cross! There are a lot of points to plot, and when they have been plotted, you have to join the dots to make a complete drawing, as it were.

   Does that help? If not, if you know someone with some background in maths should be able to sort it out for you using pencil and paper.

   Gav

5. Ryan Jun 4th 2010 at 11:26 pm 5

   

   Hey, I am 14 years old and plan on constructing a skiff for fishing.

   My grandpa has a Bachelors in Drafting and is very good with wood and we have all the tools, so I was wondering, do you think you could work with me on designing a boat if you have the time? I have a few ideas in mind and I’m starting to put them down on paper.

   By helping I mean could you tell me what I would need for the design I have? Thank you for such a great website!

6. Gavin Atkin Jun 5th 2010 at 07:55 am 6

   

   I’m sorry Ryan – I’d like to help but I’m desperately short of time due to work and family responsibilities. You max find some of my free plans will give you some ideas however. Gavin

7. Ryan Jun 7th 2010 at 03:10 am 7

   

   It’s ok Gavin,

   Like I said, only if you have time and are interested.

   When I come up with a design I’ll send you them and send you pictures of the outcome that you can put up

8. Gavin Atkin Jun 7th 2010 at 03:43 am 8

   

   There’s a great little book entitled How to design a boat by John Teale – if you can find it, I think it will be very useful.

   Gavin

9. Ryan Jun 10th 2010 at 01:21 am 9

   

   Thanks Gavin

   I have actually managed to maneuver my way over to Duckworks Magazine through your site, and they have been very helpful over there!

10. Gavin Atkin Jun 10th 2010 at 06:19 am 10

    

    Excellent news – I’m sorry I’m in no position to help myself at the moment.

    Gavin

11. Ryan Jun 11th 2010 at 02:00 am 11

    

    it’s quite alright Gavin, you have been of help though. Your hard work in putting this site together has payed off for me and many others!

12. Steve aka dzlstroker Jun 27th 2010 at 10:55 pm 12

    

    Hi Gavin, Many thanks for all that you’ve done for potential DIY Boat Builders, like myself! Look forward to the new adventure.

13. mike Sep 1st 2010 at 01:03 pm 13

    

    Hi there, a little advice please.
    my brother and I have a 3 year plan. My kids will both be teenagers in 3 years time.
    My brother is the sailor in the family (the brains) I am the canoeist and rower (used to be the brawn now a little slack around the middle).

    We want to build a boat that we can sail both on lakes and lochs and when the kids are teenagers we can take up the west coast of Scotland for extended touring holidays – ideally both camping and sleeping on the boat.

    At the moment the kids sail mirror dingy and are very keen to help in the build.

    My brother and i really like the looks of norse double enders and are taken with the caledonian yawl. Problem our woodworking skills are basic DIY – we’ve built sheds and summerhouses but would like some info on what we should expect from a project like this and what your thoughts are about choice of boat for our requirements.

    Hope you can help.

14. Gavin Atkin Sep 1st 2010 at 08:33 pm 14

    

    That’s a nice dream!

    Everyone you talk to will give you a different answer. If you’re tendency is to craftsmanship, I’m sure you can build a Caledonian Yawl, but might benefit from building something simpler first. If it isn’t, I’d suggest you don’t even go there!

    I’d also say that by the time they’re teenagers, your kids are unlikely to want to sail with Dad, and probably not for days at a time – your kids may be different but my experience is that what they enjoy most is being skipper of their own ship in the company of others in similar boats. That way, they don’t have to follow orders or watch Dad do the interesting stuff, and they can race each other, chase each other, play at capsizing, flirt and all the rest of the stuff kids that age do. If you want them to be interested in boating and particularly sailing long term, I think the best advice is to find a sailing club that does this sort of thing well.

    I should add that home built boats are for individualists, which counts out most teenage kids.

    So if you would like to dabble in the noble art of boatbuilding, I’d suggest making something simple that you’ll never regret owning and which will add a fun dimension to picnics on the river or to the seaside. I’m thinking of a lightweight little rowing boat like the Ella by the way!

    Hope that helps a little and doesn’t seem too partial!

    Gav

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