I’ve recently begun to move on with building a traditional wooden yacht tender. Boatbuilding has always been fascinating to me as a type of woodworking and I’d like a new boat for next year. This is mostly a learn as I go project. I’d like to connect with others that are interested with boatbuilding (and could maybe offer me some guidance too)
Selecting a boat
Before choosing a plan, my basic requirements were that it would be built traditional wooden lapstrake construction, a good rower, option to upgrade with a sail, stable for kids, able to mount a small outboard motor, light enough to transport on a car top (maybe), and small enough so I could build it in my shop instead of the cold garage.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of small boat plans available in books and online. Eventually, I decided on the Sunshine Yacht Tender from Duck Trap Woodworking. This seemed to fit all of my requirements and I could order a decent set of plans along with a book on how to build it. There’s a nice history to this boat going back to the early 1900s in Maine. Home builders and professionals still build and sell this model.
Project Summary:
Expenses so far: $60 for (a very nice) set of plans and plan book
Several books borrowed from library
-- Matt - Syracuse, NY
6 comments so far
patron
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2379 posts in 235 days
posted 175 days ago
i built boats for 10 years in ft. lauderdale , to learn the craft .
it will definitly improve your wood working skills .
as a project , it is a real pleasure . just take your time and you will understand and accomplish allot .
dont try and rush it , as mistakes can be hard to fix .
looks like a nice choice !
enjoy .
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
cylis007
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55 posts in 363 days
posted 156 days ago
I am really looking forward to following your progress. Best of luck!
-- A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave. ~Benjamin Franklin
Karson
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25800 posts in 1295 days
posted 156 days ago
Good luck. At the St. Michaels Maritime Museum in Maryland. the have a weekend group that makes a wooden boat. You pay for the privileged. You might check around and see if anyone has a class similar.
Here is my blog on the program
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
a1Jim
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16776 posts in 471 days
posted 156 days ago
Sound like fun bring it on.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Splinterman
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4826 posts in 255 days
posted 156 days ago
Now this is my territory…....keep me posted on this Matt….good choice of boat….looks like a small Wherry.
-- I will just keep doing it till I get it right.
Napaman
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3486 posts in 971 days
posted 125 days ago
sooooo glad i ran across your blog series…SOME day…i want to build a little sail boat I can run up and down the napa river…and when i read your intro and what you called your basic requirements I can almost check all those off as what I am looking for…
SUPER GOOD LUCK…now to catch up with your newer blogs!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...