Author Topic: DIY boat... anyone? (Read 13375 times)

John F · « **on:** June 11, 2011, 05:47:00 PM »

This has always been my dream and lately I've been thinking about this more and more...

Anyone here has ever built a boat from zero? Doesn't matter if t is a 40 ft yacht or 2 m dinghy... something that looks like a boat, floats and you can go around on it...

Please show pics and share your story....

Thanks

Fritz · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2011, 06:56:09 PM »

When I came to Durban I worked for Maxim Yachts. We built from 38 to a 60ft moter laucher. Right from the first drop of gelcoat to puting them in the water. The best part was taking them for their maiden voyge. The worst part was the fibr glas dust that went into places you never knew you had. I will look if I can find a photo of one.

PH · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:20:33 PM »

Cedar strip kayaks. Still in progress.... Aim to complete by end 2011.

John F · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:24:45 PM »

@Fritz, what happened to Maxim yachts?

@ PH, Nice! Please tell us more...

SAfish · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:32:27 PM »

PH, those kayaks look awesome!!
Image the looks I will get when I join the Knysna Canoe Club and take out one of those Moz dug-out canoes. Mmm, maybe I should make one to fish from.

PH · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:48:44 PM »

Quote from: SAfish on June 11, 2011, 07:32:27 PM

PH, those kayaks look awesome!!
Image the looks I will get when I join the Knysna Canoe Club and take out one of those Moz dug-out canoes. Mmm, maybe I should make one to fish from.

There is a owner of a B&B in Wilderness (forgot the name) that builds massive open Canadian strip canoes.

SAfish · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:59:45 PM »

I have seen one at Tait Marine a while back and they look fantastic!

Fritz · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:35:56 PM »

Sad story John but they closed down about 2years ago . They are excelant boats. I used to sail them to Inhaca a lot of times with the new owners to show them the ropes. Must say I mis it.

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:40:44 PM »

That must have been a blast sailing up to the islands... do any fishing / trolling behind the yachts.. ?? ....... take my hat off to boat builders, not an easy task i think , takes lots of dedication and know how.

SAfish · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:00:12 PM »

One of our site supervisors used to work at Knysna Yacht company. A friend of mine always help them with his tow-truck when they launch their new yachts. It is very special to see them take to the water for the first time.

PH · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2011, 12:22:07 AM »

Quote from: John F on June 11, 2011, 07:24:45 PM

@ PH, Nice! Please tell us more...

I always wanted to try this. Bruce, co-owner of Stealth, was also excited about the project and kindly gave me the plans for the Stealth Evolution.
Bruce designed the other kayak for himself for touring purposes. We decided to call it the Stealth Swift.
The Evolution after the first coat epoxy and the Swift :

Fritz · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2011, 07:59:02 AM »

If I only knew then what I know now about fishing I would have been styling with bait. Also did some trips acros the Atlantic, sailed Durban to Capetown and vice verse and went as far as the Spice Islands up the East coast.
I used to spend hours fishing the fads all in the name of testing the water maker on the boat.

John F · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2011, 08:54:22 PM »

Apart from the "small floating device", I would really like to build one of those DIY cats ... you buy the plans and build one live aboard cat on your own... like the entry level Casa Cat (http://casacat.com) or going more serious with the Easy cats (http://www.easycatamarans.com)... one day when I'm big!

John F · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2011, 05:22:52 PM »

Quote from: PH on June 12, 2011, 12:22:07 AM

I always wanted to try this. Bruce, co-owner of Stealth, was also excited about the project and kindly gave me the plans for the Stealth Evolution.
Bruce designed the other kayak for himself for touring purposes. We decided to call it the Stealth Swift.
The Evolution after the first coat epoxy and the Swift :

How's the project going Pierre?

Half-Pint · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:37:12 PM »

I missed this the first time round but a couple of years ago in fact now almost a decade some people down the road from us built a yacht in their garden. Eventually they finished it and sailed off around the world. I dont know to many details I was only 11ish at the time but that is extremely impressive

PH · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2011, 03:45:10 AM »

JohnF, I been thinking about abandoning the Stealth and consider the expenses as "school fees". I'm not happy with the quality. The surface is a bit bumpy and uneven.
The Swift will receive attention after the Vidal bash. I'm also considering making the deck of the Swift from decorative 3ply to cut down on labour. The modern plywood are glued with waterproof glue and should be OK. Maybe Fritz can advise on this?
One of the major problems is sanding the inside smooth and fair. Curves in both directions. Some guys use special scraping tools (many hours and lots of elbow grease) but I wish somebody could invent an orbital sander with a vonvex surface!!. It inside needs to be finished well because it will be visible through the hatches.

PH · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2011, 04:52:49 AM »

Quote from: Half-Pint on October 13, 2011, 08:37:12 PM

I missed this the first time round but a couple of years ago in fact now almost a decade some people down the road from us built a yacht in their garden. Eventually they finished it and sailed off around the world. I dont know to many details I was only 11ish at the time but that is extremely impressive

When I was a student at TUKS in the early 70's a bunch of Engineering students built a concrete yacht next to the Hatfield Station to facilitate easy transport to the coast.
Sad story.
When transporting the boat to Dbn on the train one of the workers lost his life when passing under a bridge.
Eventually they sailed but the bow split open near the Knysna Heads and the yacht sank. One guy drowned. Of the 4 or 5 students only one guy managed to complete his studies after that. One guy ended up in a mental institution and one guy became a hippy in Pt. St Johns area. I don't know what happened to the other guys.

Willie · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2011, 08:14:35 AM »

Sorry to highjack PH when were you at Tuks?

John F · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2011, 08:16:29 AM »

Quote from: PH on October 14, 2011, 03:45:10 AM

JohnF, I been thinking about abandoning the Stealth and consider the expenses as "school fees". I'm not happy with the quality. The surface is a bit bumpy and uneven.
The Swift will receive attention after the Vidal bash. I'm also considering making the deck of the Swift from decorative 3ply to cut down on labour. The modern plywood are glued with waterproof glue and should be OK. Maybe Fritz can advise on this?
One of the major problems is sanding the inside smooth and fair. Curves in both directions. Some guys use special scraping tools (many hours and lots of elbow grease) but I wish somebody could invent an orbital sander with a vonvex surface!!. It inside needs to be finished well because it will be visible through the hatches.

PH · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2011, 08:20:31 AM »

Quote from: Willie on October 14, 2011, 08:14:35 AM

Sorry to highjack PH when were you at Tuks?

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