It's good to be back. Used to be on here all the time, then just kinda of lost the time. I was all set to move away a year ago, then I watched 10 (yes 10) of my close friends have marriages and engagements dissolve right in front of them. So it's been a rough winter. So much has changed. Reconnecting with old friends, saying goodbye to others who have proven themselves to be... well, not good friends I suppose. After seven years of friendship and watching each other go through several bad relationships and one divorce, I'm seeing an amazing woman. Quit drinking (so much), trying to quit smoking (I'M TRYING, GET OFF MY BACK!!!!!! ) Trying to get out of this stupid flat rate dealership nightmare (The business, not the shop! Come to us to get your truck fixed. Please. I'm begging you...) I never thought I'd be thinking about picking up and changing my whole life, I figured I'd be on my towards something now, not starting over, but oh well, there's still time to get it figured out. Anyways....

Anybody ever "do it yourself?" I see lots of websites with plans and kits, and was just wondering if any of you had run across any good or bad experiences? I'd like to start w/ something small and work up (obviously, the most logical way to do it...) Ideally if I was more confident in my abilities, i'd like to have about a 20' rig of some kind, but since I don't really go too far out of the harbor (no time for real cruising) I was contemplaing electric power, just for the peace, quiet in lack of mess and cost of fuel (yes I know the initial cost of electric hardware will offset the cost of fuel most likely. Just wondering if anyone out there had any experiences.

 

start with a canoe or rowboat...a lot of the techniques can then be applied to a larger boat.

make sure the bigger boat can get out the doors of whatever building you build it in!

 

Outdoor Life had a great article on building your own small boat. Can't locate the issue, but if you go to their website I bet you could search for it. Good luck!

 

Your post kinda assumes that we already know what you're talking about...are you wanting to build your own sailboat?

 

an electric sailboat? he did say no time for cruising...

not really sure what he wants...

 

I have a friend that rebuilt his own mahogony skinned Chris-Craft. Had some rot so needed new pieces. Imagine his surprise when the keel piece arrived as a block of wood you had to carve yourself! He also had to curve all the hull material himself. This project took a year of off-on weekends & eves. Bear in mind this boat was already built, just needed hull repair.

Building your own sailboat from scratch is way beyond most woodworkers time/skill levels. But as long as you know what you're getting yourself in for, good luck.

I would someday like to build a Chesapeake Lightcraft (kit kayak) but even that would have to wait until I was retired.