Stitch an Glue

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Has anyone built a stitch and Glue boat. I am considering buiding a stitch and glue canoe as my first foray into boatbuilding. Everything I have read say they are easy to build and very solid and durable. Any experiences out there?? Pitfalls?<br /><br />My dad has always wanted to build a boat. He literally jumped at the chance when I mentioned it to him. He fully retired last year and this may be a good project to work on together.
 

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Stitch an Glue

a good fast way.. but still boatbuildin which is still many ,many steps..<br /><br />S & G's or condsiderd 'composite boats' .. there ain't much stronger..<br /><br />not much skill involved... parts/pieces don't hafta fit well.. an a tite fit is un-desiriable..as so 'the putty' is mushed in as per a composite fit..<br /><br />read & learn all you can.. an take epoxy safety seriously..<br /><br />believe me,, it's the coolest thing you can do.. an the best way to spend time with your dad..<br /><br />good luck post pics..
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Stitch an Glue

Doug, that looks pretty sweet. It must have been a rush to get it in the water and run it the first time. I have been scouring the sites you mentioned for a couple of days already..<br /><br />Did yours go together pretty easily?? What kind of PW did you use??
 

dskogman

Cadet
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
7
Re: Stitch an Glue

It took about a year and a half to build but was well worth the effort. I used Meranti for the hull and decks and marine fir for the stringers and bulkheads.
 

ob15

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 4, 2004
Messages
514
Re: Stitch an Glue

rogerwa,<br /><br />I just got building a S&G boat. It's a little 15' skiff & I love it. It's solid as a rock. Check it out<br /><br /> http://bellsouthpwp.net/o/b/ob15/ <br /><br />I enjoyed the build process and the links from DougS are the places to be when building S&G.
 

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Stitch an Glue

Doug, Dave<br />My hats off to you guys. Just spent about an hour at each site reading your stories and looking at the building of your boats. Great looking boats.<br /><br />Link
 

Stefan Schmitt

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 3, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Stitch an Glue

Never built a boat before...as a matter of fact never even had used a circular saw before either... :p <br /><br />Here's where I'm at...<br /><br /> The Building of the "Inshallah" <br /><br />..also from Bateau.com <br /><br />Stitch and glue is the best! Lots of fun..but be prepared to spend some major time on it!
 

ob15

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 4, 2004
Messages
514
Re: Stitch an Glue

As Dr_Bones said, be prepared to spends lots of time on it (mostly sanding). Don't want to turn anyone off to the idea of building a boat, but it does take time. It is definitley worth the effort. Wait til you launch it, everyone is amazed it's homebuilt.
 

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Stitch an Glue

Got that right Dave. I was given a 12-14 ft wood boat once in 1985 in bad need of a paint job. It had been sitting outside upside down for years. I also had a good friend named Mr Beltsander :D <br /><br />DR-Bones do we get to see a finished pic of your labor?? Mabe with you and the first Mate floating?? or better Fishing :)
 

mulliganmagic

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 9, 2004
Messages
82
Re: Stitch an Glue

DougS,<br /><br />Just out of curiosity how fast does your boat go. I am asking this because bateau.com reccomends a 70hp engine and said to be careful with a 115hp, and I notised the 130hp on your boat. Also, If I didn't know better I wouldn't suspect that your boat was home built, you did and excellent job.
 

dskogman

Cadet
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
7
Re: Stitch an Glue

I wanted a 115 but got a deal on the 130 (which is the same engine as the 115) so what else could I do? It would run 60 with the right prop but I have a lower pitch for better hole shot and 52 mph before I chicken out and will cruise an easy 40-45 fully loaded. If I had to do over I would go with the 90hp (100 Lbs lighter) on a PH16 and save the 130 for the PH22.
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Stitch an Glue

All your boats look great. I can't imaging doing 60 in something I built.<br /><br />I can't wait to start. I will be building one of the canoe models as this is a great place to start and I need a canoe.<br /><br />One question.. What PW would be good to use if I wanted to do a natural finish on the inside and where would I get it. My HD has junk for 1/4' PW. Does a lumber yard have the marine stuff??
 

ob15

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 4, 2004
Messages
514
Re: Stitch an Glue

Plugger,<br /><br />I'm sure there are a few more hanging around
 

realboats

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2004
Messages
116
Re: Stitch an Glue

Roger, stitch and glue is my favorite type of boat building. A book I highly recommend is "Devlin's Boat Building" by Sam Devlin. That little book has everything you need to know about stitch and glue. It's my definitive source on anything related to stitch and glue building. My son and I built Devlin's Sandpiper 8 ft. sailing dinghy and it came out great. Fiberglassing the outside of the hull is important in this type of boat building. www.devlinboat.com He has plans, also, and they are engineered to last generations.<br /><br />I can recommend two other books on "quick" boat building. One is "Build the New Instant Boats" by Harold Payson and the other is "Boat Building for Beginners and Beyond" by Jim Michalak. This type of boat building is sometimes referred to as "Tack and Tape" Both these authors offer plans. Harold Payson's site is: http://www.instantboats.com One of my favorite boats on Payson's site is the Sneakeasy, but check out Diablo, too.<br /><br />You can find Jim Michalak’s book and plans at:<br /> http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/store/plans/jim/michalak.htm Some of Jim's designs are really innovative and are designed to be built easily and quickly.<br /><br />Another site you may want to check out is www.glen-l.com Take a look at the cabin skiff.<br /><br />A few things I've learned about boat building is: It's not much more work to build a 16' boat than an 8' boat. If you're interested in building a sailboat, keep in mind that there is a lot more detail and expense involved for the sail, mast, rigging, centerboard, etc.<br /><br />Finally, in my opinion, traditional boat building has a beauty that's unmatched by any other method. To me, there's nothing more beautiful than a plank-on-frame skiff with a natural wood finish. But now you're talking a huge project. Someday...<br /><br />Regards,<br />Dennis
 

AG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Messages
36
Re: Stitch an Glue

http://www.devlinboat.com/homebuiltgibson.htm <br /><br />The above addy will take you to my S&G project - recently completed.<br /><br />The great folks at duckboats.net were a huge help, couldn't have done it without them. If you are thinking of building one, make certain that you develop a network of mentors, who can help you avoid the most common mistakes, etc.<br /><br />Good luck
 
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