Has Anyone Ever Built A Wooden Boat

[J_DUB]

I am kicking around the idea of buying plans to build a wooden jon boat. I was wondering if any of you all have ever tried. I found a web sight last night from gator boat plans, that you could build this 12 ft plywood jon boat, and I would only have 150-175 in materials plans and all. I am thinking that it would be fun to build, and yet it would give me a fairly enexpiencive boat.

Josh

[jhl1965]

I built one when I was a senior in HS in building trade class. We used 1x12's or 1x14 for the sides and an a sheet of 3/4 plywood for the bottem. Had the autobody glass the bottem for me to make it water tight. It was a good little pond boat. Wished I'd taken better care of it and it might still be around. But it lasted me about 5 or 6 years.

[Extra260]

Wooden boat worked out pretty good for Noah. I bet it would work out well for you too!

[hdnpowrz]

I also have the plans from gator. the DHII it looks awesome and I hope to do it as soon as I get the garage heated. There forum pages are awesome too...
Shane

[oldrifter]

I have built several from hydros back in the 60's to cedar strip canoes and one drift boat. Take your time and check and recheck for spot where you have missed with epoxy.
Good Luck
oldrifter
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[boostedone]

http://www.bateau.com/index.php

Plenty of plans, precut kits, and their forum kicks butt. Especially the forum. 90% of the guys on there only build wooden boats.

[Tom in Stl]

I built one about 5 years ago. It was made from plywood and I had approx 40 hours in it. Cool little boat and very fast in the water. Mine is in need of some serious repair. Guess I missed a couple of spot when glassing it.
Be sure to take your time. I think that's where i went wrong.
Mine was a Cajun Pirouge (spelling?)

[merklerob]

its not a good long term idea. by the time i finished my power boat i fould i could by a fiberglass boat almost cheaper. and wooden boats are a coutinious mainatnce headack. look around first and see whats available.

i use glen-l plans.

[ProcraftMike]

I was also contemplating the same thing a year ago. I wanted to build a "jon boat" style boat for bowfishing and duck hunting. But, by the time you figure materials and time, you can find an older boat for a fraction of the cost.

If you really like the idea of making a wooden boat, go for it. But, for economics sake, you can probably buy a small aluminum or glass boat cheaper.

[leckbass]

My dad and I built a hydroplane from clarkcraft about 10 years ago, it was very cool. I cant believe people say its more expensive than fiberglass. Its was cheap, fairly easy, and fun to build. We coated the whole thing with Raka epoxy and glass. It did about 55mph with a old 10hp evinrude. Its still being used today, i gave it to a cousin. I'm looking for some picts. I also built a two person kayak. i looks cool and was fun to build, just not as much fun as the hydroplane.

[ProcraftMike]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by leckbass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I cant believe people say its more expensive than fiberglass. Its was cheap, fairly easy, and fun to build. We coated the whole thing with Raka epoxy and glass. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I bought an old 14' glass boat in good shape for under $300 last year. I don't think you can build one cheaper than that.

[leckbass]

ok i hear ya with the used boat cost, i bought a old aluminum rowboat for 100 bucks, plus the total cost of the wood and stuff would prob be around the same price. The wooden boat was way more fun to build, especially if you like that kind of stuff. But if you hate building things or working with wood, i would also recommend against it.

[1fast68]

I built a jon boat last year. 16' long, 50in wide, 35hp, ran 29 on gps. I made the lay out like a sea ark crappie boat. I also had 18" sides. Done a lot of over kill on the boat and after all was done, I spent about $1500 with the motor, pumps, gas tank, etc. Get ready to talk a lot about it at the ramp though. If I had it to do over I would have made a more traditional jon boat with thinner wood and more fiberglass. Southern Paddlers is a good web site to check out for info.

[bobbymc]

I took on a 16' Super Skeeter 1969 and gutted the complete boat. I built new cabinets, live well and refinished the bottom. Between building and glass it took a full year. Every night and weekends I worked on it it was a bute.
I promised my self after itching and losing a years fishing never to do it again. You have no idea how much time it takes and would be better off buying. BobbyMc