small easy to build row boat

[king murphy]

hi
guys in new to boats and want to build one(to be honest its not going to become a hobby just a one of so i have a boat) as my granddad was in the navy and is coming down from Scotland to live near us and I've spoke to him and he'd love a little row boat to come out with me on the canals and waterways fishing so i could do with some advice and maybe referral to some good plans on a small row boat that's no longer than 8 ft and can fit on 6ft 14 year old and a 5ft 8 inch 75 year old and possible a little miniature schnauzer the less it cost the better and the smaller the better as it will be used in small,tight turns also a flat bottom is necessary as it will be used in shallow waterways thanks for any help i really appreciate it,as it would make my granddad, me and my dog very happy so all tips will be appreciated thanks again

Alex

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: small easy to build row boat

there are lots of plans around the internet and in the library. I have an old plan book like a "Popular Mechanics" magazine from the 1950's that was my wife's grandfathers.

It's important with 2 people to be stable. 8' is mighty short. See if 10 will do. Then look for a design with a wide bottom, low seats, and slanted sides (that adds stability)

 

[king murphy]

Re: small easy to build row boat

thanks cookin ill look at that but i wanted 8 ft because it meant i didn't have to start joining sheets of ply as im not the best at woodworking thanks though also does anybody know about these plans : http://www3.sympatico.ca/herbert.mcleod/lark.htm

is it a good boat ? how does it fit two snugly ?? thanks guys

Alex

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: small easy to build row boat

You can get marine plywood in 10' lengths.

http://marine-plywood.us/mahogany-meranti-aquatek.htm

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: small easy to build row boat

thanks cookin ill look at that but i wanted 8 ft because it meant i didn't have to start joining sheets of ply as im not the best at woodworking thanks though also does anybody know about these plans : http://www3.sympatico.ca/herbert.mcleod/lark.htm

is it a good boat ? how does it fit two snugly ?? thanks guys

Alex

that's a one man boat. Also you lose length when you bend an 8' sheet.

Don't let the tail wag the dog. Start with the boat that fits your needs. If you can't build it, change your needs.

 

[lkbum]

Re: small easy to build row boat

hi
guys in new to boats and want to build one(to be honest its not going to become a hobby just a one of so i have a boat) as my granddad was in the navy and is coming down from Scotland to live near us and I've spoke to him and he'd love a little row boat to come out with me on the canals and waterways fishing so i could do with some advice and maybe referral to some good plans on a small row boat that's no longer than 8 ft and can fit on 6ft 14 year old and a 5ft 8 inch 75 year old and possible a little miniature schnauzer the less it cost the better and the smaller the better as it will be used in small,tight turns also a flat bottom is necessary as it will be used in shallow waterways thanks for any help i really appreciate it,as it would make my granddad, me and my dog very happy so all tips will be appreciated thanks again

Alex

I built this out of some old dock floats, PT 2x6's and PT 3/4" plywood. It's 8'w x 12' long (3 sheets of plywood) and has outdoor carpet on top. It can't be rowed, but a trolling motor pushes it along just fine. I built this for the kids, but the adults use it more than they do. It's incredibly stable, a great fishing platform and easy to get on and off. I've never trailered it, but it would fit on most cheapy small trailers.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: small easy to build row boat

I'm not trying to discourage you from building a boat, in fact I hope you decide to go for it. However, take a good hard look at why you think you want to build a boat. If the answer is because you just want a boat and nothing else (which is perfectly fine) then you might be better off looking for a used jon boat or something along those lines. If you enjoy building things and want to be able to use a boat that you built with your own hands, and are willing to commit to doing it to a high quality then and only then are you ready to go down that path. Honestly, building a boat is going to be more costly than buying a used one.

disclaimer - I'm one of those nuts that gets crazy if I don't have a project going, and at the moment I'm in desperate need of a new project.

 

[bekosh]

Re: small easy to build row boat

Here's a set for free plans for a 7ft tender called an Apple Pie. Nice simple design and there are a couple of blogs that show the construction pretty much step by step. Building a Dingy & Christine builds a stitch and glue tender.

Mine is coming along and I hope to have her done before winter.


Edit: I agree with cresentwrench, if you just want a boat, just buy one. It'll be cheaper in the long run. But if you want the project, by all means go for it. It's a very satisfying endeavor.

 

[cedarlattice]

Re: small easy to build row boat

For a biginner I would go with a kit. I have built and helped build a number of them from CLC http://www.clcboats.com/ Most are stitch and glue. The kits come with everything. You just need a few basic hand tools. For a kit you can also check Newfound Woodworks http://www.newfound.com/ I know that their plans are awsome, but I have not built any of their kits.

 

[king murphy]

Re: small easy to build row boat

thanks ill have a look at the apple pie boat but all comments have changed my opinion on my boats and I've took into consideration all of them and i might change my needs and just go for the lark as it seems a easy build for first timers

thanks

Alex

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: small easy to build row boat

I think this might be of interest to you...
http://obpc0.tripod.com/id38.html

 

[king murphy]

Re: small easy to build row boat

now i do like that i might not just be building one i think i now have 2 projects thanks woodon it looks awesome

Alex

 

[Stevens520]

Re: small easy to build row boat

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Glen L; also sorts of info and plans over there.
http://www.boatdesigns.com/

 

[andgott]

Re: small easy to build row boat

Without a doubt, if you are looking for a simple, inexpensive, and fun boat, you CAN'T beat this one-

http://www.instantboats.com/tortoise.htm

She wont win any prizes for beauty- But it's inexpensive, quick to build, and is actually a VERY good boat on the water. You need 2 sheets of 1/4" plywood, and three 8' 2 x 4's, plus some misc. hardware and glue. A frugal person can build one for about $100, if you spend twice that you'll have a NICE one.

The plans are also in this book-

http://www.instantboats.com/btnib.htm

Along with detailed instructions for not only that boat, but 10 others. I've built, or been involved in the building of, 3 different designs from that book.

This was the last one that I built, a few years ago, with some plywood that I had leftover from another project-

She took only one day to build, not counting paint drying time.