Re: build from a jig
Hi,
Is it do-able by a newbie? Yes. (My wife and I build wooden boats for fun and profit loss.) The largest we ever built was 16', so what you're looking at is a "horse of a different wheelbase." But without a doubt, the answer is still, "Yes."
But... (You knew that there was a "But..." coming up...) But to build a 32' boat ain't gonna be easy. Things to consider:
* Before you even begin, do your homework. We found that early on (when we were just starting out in the hobby) for a sizable boat, the total build time is 50% research and 50% flying sawdust and cuss words. Decrease the research and you'll increase the cuss words. Building a model goes a very long way.
* Do a careful analysis of the cost of the build, and then multiply that by 1.5 to 2. Ditto for time required.
* Decide what's more important... Getting out on that water, or getting out on that water in a boat you built.
* Before you open your shop door, buy George Buehler's book, "Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding" and memorize it.
* Join forums dedicated to building large wooden boats... Wooden Boat Magazine has one. I think Duckworks has one. And there are umpteen Yahoo! Groups that explore big builds. The Bolger Group is worth a look. Ask every question imaginable of those guys.
* If you have a significant other, sit down with that person and apologize for the stupid stuff that you're going to say and do in the near future. No joke. Building a boat (especially a big one) is a great way to break up a relationship.
* Expect to make profoundly dumb mistakes... On my first skiff, I made two port sides. (Let he who hath not goofed building/re-building a boat cast the first snicker.)
* Buy a gallon of epoxy/hardener/fillers, glass tape, and experiment ad nauseum.
* Read everything you can about fasteners, epoxy, glass, wood/plywood, and experiment ad nauseum.
* Scour the Web to make sure that the boat you linked is really the boat you want. Have others built it? Can you store it? Can you power it? Can you insure it? Can you afford the fuel?
* Understand that the construction of a boat that big involves stuff like plumbing, mechanics, electrical, etc.
Please don't get me wrong! I'm not trying to turn you off... But you should understand what you're getting into... If you go into the project with open eyes and an expectation that "it don't come easy" you should be fine. After the build, you won't be the same human being you were before the build, but that could be a good thing.
Best of luck to you and hope you keep us updated!
Alan
