paladin
07-04-2009, 12:08 PM
Back in the late 60's I was part and parcel of the largest of the International Amateur Boatbuilding Society started by Ted Brewer and Jim Betts. When I returned from Nam the first time I joined up and worked with Melvin D.C. Willis in Oklahoma City and illustrated parts of his "How to Fiberglass" book. I also built my first fiberglass boat (and the second) while there, and then the 31 tri....
Jim wrote a series of articles for the newsletter...and I'd like to share a bit of something that he wrote for another publication.
* 1. Do not undertake a boatbuilding project that will take more than a year to complete. Your labor will become a bore and your needs and wants may change.
* 2. Talk with others who have built the boat. The designer should be willing to supply names. If possible, see the boat in action.
* 3. Try for a design where all of the building can be done by you alone. Yes, you can usually get a helping hand from time to time, but don't count on it.
* 4. Failing that, try to find a partner to help with the building for a share of ownership (and a share of costs, to be sure!).
* 5. Become a "Custom Builder", not an amateur builder. Print a simple letterhead. Get a USCG Manufacturer's Identification Code. This is the three-letter code that is the first part of the hull ID number on manufactured boats, Get the forms from your local USCG station, or write USCG, 2100 Second St. SW, Washington DC 20593. This is free; put it on your letterhead. One reason for all this is so that you can buy equipment directly from the manufacturer at OEM prices, usually about half the retail price. Put your HIN (Hull Identification Number) on your boat. This is explained in the CG material. It then becomes a "custom-built" boat, not an amateur-built boat. This pays off when you sell it.
* 6. Speaking of the CG, write them at the address above for their free, 52-page booklet Safety Standards For Backyard Boat Builders. It tells you about powering, safe loading, flotation, ventilation, fuel systems, electrical systems, capacity, and much more.
* 7. If you have a sheltered building site, fine; otherwise, plan your building schedule around your weather. Cold hands do poor work. Besides, most glues do not set at low temperature.
* 8. Do not make major changes in the design. In fact, DO NOT make any changes unless you discuss them with the designer. Every detail has a reason.
* 9. Build a boat "one size" bigger, say, 20% or so. You will be happier, longer. Most boat builders and buyers move up after a few years (but, the really smart ones often move down in size, after they pay the dock fees and maintenance costs for a few years).
* 10. Study the local boats and boating conditions. Talk with local boat owners. You do not want a deep-keel boat on Maryland's Eastern Shore, etc.
* 11. If possible, make your hardware rather than buying it. Wooden cleats are easy to make from scrap wood and cost nothing but your time.
* 12. The most useful tools are a power plane and a belt sander. They can cure many a problem. Also, sawdust and epoxy, which will fill many a void.
* 13. (a baker's dozen). When buying wood at your local lumberyard, NEGOTIATE! You are not "building an amateur boat", you are "starting a boat-building business". This is good for a 20% discount on your order. Trust me on this.
Jim wrote a series of articles for the newsletter...and I'd like to share a bit of something that he wrote for another publication.
* 1. Do not undertake a boatbuilding project that will take more than a year to complete. Your labor will become a bore and your needs and wants may change.
* 2. Talk with others who have built the boat. The designer should be willing to supply names. If possible, see the boat in action.
* 3. Try for a design where all of the building can be done by you alone. Yes, you can usually get a helping hand from time to time, but don't count on it.
* 4. Failing that, try to find a partner to help with the building for a share of ownership (and a share of costs, to be sure!).
* 5. Become a "Custom Builder", not an amateur builder. Print a simple letterhead. Get a USCG Manufacturer's Identification Code. This is the three-letter code that is the first part of the hull ID number on manufactured boats, Get the forms from your local USCG station, or write USCG, 2100 Second St. SW, Washington DC 20593. This is free; put it on your letterhead. One reason for all this is so that you can buy equipment directly from the manufacturer at OEM prices, usually about half the retail price. Put your HIN (Hull Identification Number) on your boat. This is explained in the CG material. It then becomes a "custom-built" boat, not an amateur-built boat. This pays off when you sell it.
* 6. Speaking of the CG, write them at the address above for their free, 52-page booklet Safety Standards For Backyard Boat Builders. It tells you about powering, safe loading, flotation, ventilation, fuel systems, electrical systems, capacity, and much more.
* 7. If you have a sheltered building site, fine; otherwise, plan your building schedule around your weather. Cold hands do poor work. Besides, most glues do not set at low temperature.
* 8. Do not make major changes in the design. In fact, DO NOT make any changes unless you discuss them with the designer. Every detail has a reason.
* 9. Build a boat "one size" bigger, say, 20% or so. You will be happier, longer. Most boat builders and buyers move up after a few years (but, the really smart ones often move down in size, after they pay the dock fees and maintenance costs for a few years).
* 10. Study the local boats and boating conditions. Talk with local boat owners. You do not want a deep-keel boat on Maryland's Eastern Shore, etc.
* 11. If possible, make your hardware rather than buying it. Wooden cleats are easy to make from scrap wood and cost nothing but your time.
* 12. The most useful tools are a power plane and a belt sander. They can cure many a problem. Also, sawdust and epoxy, which will fill many a void.
* 13. (a baker's dozen). When buying wood at your local lumberyard, NEGOTIATE! You are not "building an amateur boat", you are "starting a boat-building business". This is good for a 20% discount on your order. Trust me on this.