homemade flats boat...possible?

[hallmark]

hey all i was wondering if anyone has made one of these boats. there's not much to them so they don't seem very hard to make. any help would be appreciated thanks. Spencer

 

[ondarvr]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

Why is it you want to make one? If you think it will be a low cost easy way to get a boat, don't do it. If you want a project and like doing this type of thing, then go for it. There are plans available a for just about every type of craft for little or no cost.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

hey all i was wondering if anyone has made one of these boats. there's not much to them so they don't seem very hard to make. any help would be appreciated thanks. Spencer

Checkout www.glen-l.com that should get you started.

 

[andgott]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

You can build them pretty easily, if you get a good set of plans. But, as previously mentioned, you aren't going to save any money by building one, since you can pick one up pretty cheap if it needs some work! It's all about what you want to do- If you are good with wood and fiberglass work, or want to learn it, and are up to a challenge, then go for it.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

My buddy built one, plywood epoxy glass. Used a jet ski donor for the power. Claimed a 3" draft.

He owns a body shop, so room and equipment was not a problem

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

If you want to know every nook and crany of your boat, how every joint is put together and install everything exactly where you want it, then building a boat is for you. If you want it cheap and quick, that is hard to do with anything other then a open boat with a tiller outboard. Even then, you get what you pay for. In my case what I wanted was hard to find by me for what I was willing to pay (20+ center console) I have a 7 on/ 7 off schedule and working every spare minute last summer through fall I just about have the sole in the boat and ready to start the center console. I will have about 8K in her when she is done and I did a lot of parts recycling. As for plans check out Jeff Spira, nice simple plans. http://www.spirainternational.com/

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

There's a small plywood boat link in my signature, google Ken Simpson & portable boats for more info on his boats. Even in that small scale, w/out making any major errors that cost me materials, they only cost me time. I still spent more then 3 times the low $150 Ken said 'could' build that boat. I did stretch the center module, and widen the hull 2" for some additional weight capacity.

Worked 7/4-9/6/11 a few nights a week & most Sat & Sun and enjoyed it a great deal!

Duckworks and Gatorboats are also plywood boat sites online.

Since you didn't list a location for using a 'flats' boat, is it ocean saltwater flats? And are you planning an I/O, OB or human power?


Best of luck, it will be very rewarding.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

yes its possible, however not sure where your at, however if your in Florida, you can throw a stick and hit a flats boat thats for sale. it will be quicker and cheaper to buy one than build one.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: homemade flats boat...possible?

check out microskiff.com. there are tons of flats boats there that folks have built. some are fancy, high-dollar machines, others are more DIY. A Gheenoe hull is a great place to start, if you can find one for a good price in your neck of the woods. They're a little pricey, but basically unsinkable, light weight modified flatback canoes that you can hot rod to the enth degree, and there are TONS of aftermarket items to spruce it up as you like. Check out cutomgheenoe.com to see what's possible.