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15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs)

Boatbuilding is one of the most ancient forms of craftsmanship still alive today. As long as our ancestors have had a curiosity about exploring open waters, they have been practicing and honing their boatbuilding skills.

To be honest, however, building a boat is no small task. It will require a lot of work and patience to ultimately create a finished product that you are happy with and that is actually seaworthy.

Of course, we have also included a few free boat plans. You can keep in your back pocket for the next time you are asked to build a cardboard boat as part of a contest or lakefront teambuilding adventure.

We hope that these resources help you in your journey to build your own boat!

Photo by SeventyFour via Shutterstock

Free Boat Plans

• The Wanigan
• The Slipper

The Handy Andy

• The Jolly Roger
• The Hobby Kat

The White Duck

• The Sea Midge

The Crazy Cardboard Boat

Why Build Your Own Boat?

Photo by Halsey via Shutterstock

There are a lot of reasons why you should explore building your own boat versus buying a pre-made model. Here is a quick breakdown of the most obvious benefits:

• You will know the ins and outs of your finished boat better than anyone
• It can be a great project to work on with your teenage or even adult children
• You will gain valuable skills molding and shaping wood and other materials
• You can design your boat for your specific needs
• You don’t have to trust the sometimes-questionable manufacturing of mass-produced boats
• You can create a boat that functions as your second home on the water
• You can save money if you source materials mindfully

Of course, most first-time boatbuilders still experience some level of trial-and-error. With patience and perseverance, however, you can craft a one-of-a-kind vessel that has no equal anywhere in the world.

Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs)

1. the wanigan.

PC Duckworks Boat Builders Supply

The Wanigan boat began as a garvey design, which is one of the older boat plans known to the Americas. Traditionally, these boats were built as work scows and were very popular among American summer camps.

The design itself is very simple, but these boats can carry heavy loads. It can also handle a trolling motor being mounted to the stern so you can cover more ground if you want to use it as a fishing boat.

The creator of this boat plan became aware of some of the downsides of the garvey design, such as the heavier weight that made it less efficient than some other designs. So he combined elements of dory and wanigan designs to create a hybrid.

The main changes include an enlarged beam, tilted lathes to provide a stiffer hull, and knocking off the top strakes to reduce the boat’s overall weight.

The Wanigan text

These additional The Wanigan drawings   may also prove useful for your build process!

2. The Mouse

The Mouse is one of the most compact and nimble boat plans we have found for this list. It is an easy build and also a great boat for two kids or a single teenage paddler.

The original builder began with a one-sheet boat design in an effort to create the lightest and most affordable boat possible. This means it is only suited for calm waters and should not be used in high winds or wavy conditions.

That said, it was built in roughly 12 to 24 hours of work time and doesn’t require a full workshop to construct. The main material that is required for building this boat is quarter-inch plywood. But the builder recommends using one-inch by half-inch pine or something a little sturdier.

The plywood and pine components are held together using a method called ”˜stitch and glue’. This method requires choosing one of the best glues for kayak outfitting , which are typically made of epoxy and glass tape rather than something cheaper like polyurethane.

The Mouse Instructions

Also, here are a few extra useful The Mouse Notes for builders

3. The Slipper

The Slipper is the first of many sailboat plans on our list and it is faster, easier, and cheaper to build than most. It also features a deeper cockpit than many other sailboat designs, which makes it safer for intermediate sailors.

This sailboat plan features dual steering stations so that you can sail from inside or outside of the helm. It also includes a centerboard trunk that hardly intrudes into the cabin at all. So that, it is easier to work around while you are in the cockpit.

The exterior hull and cabin of this sailboat feature a modified dory design using two sheets of plywood ripped to three feet wide before being joined together. The resulting hull is a modified V-shape that reduces drag.

The centerboard of this boat can also be winched up to the level of the top of the cabin or lowered down to alter the draft. This allows you to customize the boat design for a stiffer and more weather-worthy vessel if you need it.

The Slipper was also intentionally designed with an aft cabin that naturally helps to keep the bow pointed into the wind whether you are underway or the boat is anchored in the port.

The Building Slipper

4. The Handy Andy

PC DIY Wood Boat

The Handy Andy is a great little 10-foot portable rowboat for hunting, camping, fishing, and other recreational uses. It is actually the only folding boat design on our list, which makes it best for folks that need the most portable boat plan possible.

This boat features a 42-inch beam and a depth of about 15 inches at the mid-section. It also weighs roughly 80 pounds when assembled and can handle up to three average-sized human passengers.

The design boasts a flat bottom with canvas-bound edges and the primary material used for construction is ⅜-inch marine-grade plywood. Despite its lightweight nature, this rowboat can handle trolling motors or even outboard motors with a maximum of five horsepower.

Once finished, the hull can be folded or unfolded in less than a minute’s time.

This design makes it one of the only boats on this list that can be stored in a truck bed or easily carried by two people to be launched at more remote locations.

5. The Junior

If you are looking for an all-purpose dinghy that can handle almost any use you might imagine, look no further than The Junior free boat plan. It can carry three or four average-sized adults and is much easier to row than a traditional dinghy.

It is also durable enough to be equipped with a small outboard motor. You could even set it up with sailing equipment if you want to use it as a sailing vessel. As we said, this is truly an all-around boat design!

This boat plan requires constructing three frames that will provide the majority of the load-bearing support. The builder recommends using ¾-inch framing with ⅜-inch plywood as the exterior material for this boat build.

Resin glue and flathead screws are also required to hold this boat together. But there is a full list of materials included in the plans we have linked to below. Sticking to that plan should also give you enough leftover materials to construct two six-foot oars for rowing this boat until you install a trolling motor or outboard motor down the line!

6. The Jolly Roger

Channel your inner Captain Morgan when you are following these plans to build your very own Jolly Roger boat. This flat bottom boat design is designed for pond fishing . It can also be a useful yacht dinghy for getting from your dock to a larger vessel anchored offshore.

The plan follows conventional dinghy construction methods but also includes a few modifications that will save you time and energy. The wide design is super stable for boaters of all ages.

The keel, frame, chines, and risers are all cut from ¾-inch oak, ash, or any other trusted hardwood you can get your hands on. For the smaller components, the builder recommends using cedar, cypress, fir, or white or yellow pine.

Because this boat plan is also sturdy enough to handle a small motor, it includes important points for protecting the wooden hull from spark plug damage.

Be careful to follow these guidelines to build the safest boat possible if you imagine installing a motor down the line.

The Jollyroger

7. The Cork

The Cork is another simple rowboat design. This one trends away from the flat bottom plans that we have included thus far. Instead, it features a deeper, V-shaped hull that makes it better suited to more efficient rowing and easier maneuverability.

It can be rowed easily from either seating position and is durable enough to handle up to three average-sized adult passengers. The ends of the boat are identical, which allows for multi-directional rowing.

The list of materials required for this boat plan should cost you between $30 and $50, depending on your location and hardware costs there. The resulting build is lightweight enough for two people to be carried and also to be transported on top of a vehicle .

Inside the boat, the builders use aluminum tubing to secure the struts that hold the seats. This material choice keeps the overall weight of the boat down while still adding the necessary rigidity across the beam of the boat.

8. The Hobby Kat

The Hobie Cat is one of the most iconic and recognizable small sailing vessels ever made. This Hobby Kat plan is your answer to building your own iconic sailboat without spending thousands of dollars.

Your finished boat will be able to handle speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. It will be a super fun vessel for windy days on the lake or bay. The builder was able to construct the hulls, decking, and rudder for this boat while spending little more than $200.

From there, they purchased and installed the mast, boom, sail, and rigging, which brought the total amount spent to roughly $650 (still much less than a name-brand Hobie!). Without the mast and sail, this boat weighs roughly 165 pounds and is constructed using primarily 3/16-inch marine plywood.

You can also elect to build your own mast, boom, and sail if you have the time and skills to do so.

Those elements are not included in this boat plan, but they do offer some recommendations for where to buy these components!

The HobbyKat

9. The Tern

Named after the common seabird found around the world, the Tern is a lightweight and nimble sailboat with a 72 square foot base design. She is made for inland sailing and planes very well in moderate breezes.

The hull design also provides minimal water resistance and the small floor plan makes this boat easier for intermediate sailors to handle. Even though it offers a small footprint, this boat is sturdy enough to handle up to four adult passengers.

One of the best things about this boat plan is that it can be built almost entirely by using only common hand tools.

Of course, you can speed things up if you have power tools and you are skilled enough to use them correctly.

The Tern boat plan includes a 20-foot mast, but you can shorten that length if you desire. The plan includes a complete list of materials and step-by-step instructions on how to plane and assemble each element.

10. The Falcon

As you might expect from its name alone, the Falcon is an incredibly speedy sailboat for its size. It boasts a 14-foot centerboard and can handle two to four passengers, depending on its size and weight.

In tests of the original build, the creators claim that this boat out-distanced many Snipe and Comet sailing vessels as well as pacing evenly alongside longer 18-foot sailboats. When finished, your boat will have a six-foot beam and a total weight of roughly 475 pounds.

For the main framing components, they recommend using white oak and plywood will be the main material used in the hull construction. The hull features a V-shaped that was inspired by larger schooners.

The Falcon is best suited to sailing on bays, lakes, and wide rivers. It is also a boat plan with just under 120 square feet of deck space and it is a great build for amateur craftsmen and sailors.

11. The White Duck

The White Duck is a flat-bottomed rowboat with a total length of 13’6” and a four-foot beam. The cockpit is approximately 15 inches deep all the way around and this boat can handle up to five passengers while maintaining buoyancy and stability.

When fully constructed, it will weigh roughly 200 pounds, but the final weight will depend on the type of lumber you choose for your build. This boat plan features plywood planking over solid wooden frames.

The White Duck is built with a pointed bow that cuts nicely through the water. The flat stern of this boat design will make it easy to attach a small outboard motor with a maximum of six horsepower.

As you might expect from its name, this rowboat is a great option for duck hunting trips. That being said, it is a highly versatile craft that can also be used for pond fishing or casual rowing on your nearby lake.

12. The Sea Midge

The Sea Midge is one of the smallest rowboats on our list and it is ideally suited for one average-sized rower or two small paddlers. It is only about 8 feet in length and offers a 52-inch beam at its widest point.

The Midge’s small dimensions make her ideal for navigating narrower creeks and streams. With an approximate weight of 62 pounds, she is easy to maneuver on the water and can also be much more easily transported than some of the larger boat plans on our list

The Seamidge

13. The Zephyr

The Zephyr is a compact and speedy dinghy sailboat that measures roughly 14 feet long and approximately five feet across. This boat style was originally developed for safely crossing the English Channel. This means it can stand up well in rough waters.

When finished, it is also light enough to be transported on a small trailer or on top of a larger vehicle.

The boat plan calls for using hemlock or fir for the framing and oak or Douglas fir for the keel and chines.

14. The Gypsy

The Gypsy is a small cruising sailboat that is meant to be equipped with an outboard motor for powered locomotion. The original design resulted in an incredibly seaworthy vessel that logged more than 6,000 nautical miles in her lifetime.

It includes a comfortable cabin that makes it well-suited for multi-day sailing adventures. This boat plan includes improvements on the original design that will help you build an extremely durable and long-lasting sailboat.

The Gypsy boat design will help you construct a vessel that can handle a motor up to 25 horsepower so that you can enjoy cruising speeds of up to nine miles per hour.

While it may require a bit more of an investment in time and money, it will also help you produce one of the best boats you can build with a free boat plan!

15. The Crazy Cardboard Boat

PC Saint Dominic Catholic School

Finally, let’s talk about a crazy cardboard boat plan that you can build in less than a day. This is a great boat plan to bookmark for your next teambuilding project so that you can earn bragging rights with your coworkers.

The plan calls for using 1.5 sheets of cardboard. But you can use the remaining half sheet to build your own boat paddle if you want to get creative.

Triple-thick cardboard is best for this boat plan. But you can always double up thinner sheets if that is all you can find.

These plans include an easy-to-follow diagram for marking, cutting, and folding the cardboard sheets to create the hull of your boat. From there, it calls for using contact cement and construction adhesive to seal the edges and corners.

If you are looking to save a little money on this build you could also use duct tape and then wrap the entire design in plastic sheeting to provide waterproof qualities.

Overall, this build is one of the cheapest and easiest on our list. It is also a great project for hot summer camp days on the lake or river!

15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs) – Final Thoughts

Photo by Alexandra Soloviova via Shutterstock

We hope that you now have a couple of free boat plans to inspire you to begin your own construction project.

Don’t hesitate to check out YouTube for some useful boat-building videos when you are getting into the nitty-gritty of these build processes!

Enjoyed 15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs)? Share it with your friends so they too can follow the Kayakhelp journey.

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Peter Salisbury

Pete is the Owner of KayakHelp.com. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When he’s not out on the water, you can find him skiing in the mountains, reading his favorite books, and spending time with his family.

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A selection of Free Boat Plans that can be viewed and / or downloaded.

These free to download wooden boat plans (pdf) were first published in magazines such as "Popular Mechanics", "Popular Science" and the "Boat Builder's Handbook".

• Rowing Boats
• Sailing Boats

Back Issues for Sale

"Popular Science" magazine and "Popular Mechanics" back issues can be viewed online at Google Books.

All these free boat plans can be built by anyone with a common sense modicum and a few basic woodworking skills and tools. However, if you have not got the skills and tools yet, this is a great way to acquire them.

One of the beauties of building yourself is that you do not have to buy everything at once, just get what you need when you can afford it.

While some of the instructions suggest using exterior plywood, I would always recommend using marine grade.

If you need help with lofting out the plans click here for an article here which should help.

Canoe Free Boat Plans 

Combining the features of both kayak and canoe, "Blue Bill" is for those out-of-doors-men who hunt or the sportsmen who need an ultra-light-weight portable boat for use upon any waters.

Besides being usable to build a double-end paddling model, a few changes permit the plans to be used for making a canoe that will accommodate outboard motors up to 6 hp. for swift, speedy transportation on any stream or waterway.

Weighing only 75 lbs. complete, "Blue Bill" is easily transported atop an auto anywhere.

Click Here for the Plans

This kayak is the answer for young people who want to build an inexpensive boat for summer fun. A shop full of power tools is not necessary, either. All the work can be done with ordinary hand tools and a few C clamps. This Free Boat Plan will carry one adult but it's handiest when paddled by a youngster. The boat is stable in the water and, even though it can be turned over, it will not sink. It's also light enough to be carried with ease. Building is so simple that the 'Jig' consists of only two blocks and a few bricks. 

Hunting Kayak

For many years a favorite of hunters, trappers and traders the kayak now is as popular with Europeans as the outboard boat is with Americans.

Although this boat was designed to carry two people, it will accommodate three in a pinch and gear may be stowed under fore and after decks.

A few strokes with the double paddle will send it gliding across the water with the minimum of effort on your part.

Kayaks are surprisingly seaworthy, too — more stable than a canoe, in fact, because the occupants sit on the bottom of the hull which lowers the center of gravity. 

Pintail and 10ft Duck Boat

'Pintail' drawn from plans by Wm D Jackson is another of the Free Boat Plans from the 'Boat Builder Handbook'. This one is being built by Greg Allore .

If you have ever struggled with the oars of a heavy, slow-moving rowboat and then paddled a swift, high maneuverable canoe you can appreciate why many true sportsmen prefer canoes.

But, too often, the multi-ribbed conventional canoe is not only hard to build but too thin-skinned for hard usage.

This Free Boat Plan teams up plywood and fiberglass to produce a tough, scrape-proof canoe you can build in one-tenth the time it would take you to turn out a conventional canoe.

The use of only one frame offsets the extra weight of using plywood, so that this canoe is still light enough for comfortable portage. 

Little Chief

Little Chief is a canoe with many virtues, ideally adapted to quick, easy construction.

Canoes are not easy to build, but here is one Free Boat Plan that can be made of ordinary materials for a fraction of the cost of conventional canoes.

It has attractive molded lines and may be built either as a paddling model or, with slight changes, adapted for use with small outboard motors.

In all countries of the world, particularly the United States, the kayak is enjoying newfound popularity.

Here's a nimble, lightweight craft that has its roots in the Arctic as a basic instrument of survival, yet is branching out as a modern outdoor sport on our own rivers and lakes.

To the Eskimo, a kayak is more than a boat.

When he's laced into his whale-bone and walrus-hide craft, he's ready for anything in the way of water or weather.

To most of us, however, a kayak is pure adventure and fun.

It's perfect for poking around uninhabited Islands, exploring the bends of a lazy, winding river, or just breaking the peaceful surface of a placid lake at sunset.

Redwood Canoe

You can build this 74lb, 16 foot canoe using redwood strips, an old boat-building technique.

Two persons can sit side by side in the center with one person at each end and plenty of room for gear.

This canoe is formed around plywood templates using redwood strips glued edge to edge.

You lay up the strips, remove the form, and the canoe is complete, except for fiberglassing and putting in the seats. 

The plans can also be used to build a 13-foot version of this strip planked canoe.

or Click Here for the Free Plans

Houseboat Free boat Plans

Budget houseboat (trailerable).

The Budget Houseboat is like a camper that goes on water.

She's 20 ft. long with a 9-ft. beam, containing 300 sq. ft. of usable floor area.

This means that while she can accommodate two in outrageous comfort, she can easily take a family of four on an extended vacation and be entirely self-contained.

There are two full-size permanent bunks in the forward section of the cabin.

The dining table, in the rear section of the cabin, seats four and then drops down to convert into an extra bunk 6 ft. 4 in. long and 38 in. wide.

Cabin headroom is 6 ft. 2 in., and two cots can be stationed to the rear of the cabin area.

Bayou Belle

Bayou Belle is a 25' scow that can be built as a sports utility, a fishing boat, or a houseboat, depending on your requirements for pleasure offshore.

As a sports utility, she can be used for towing water skiers and for cruising, as a fishing boat, she offers a stable platform with plenty of elbow room and stowage space.

As a houseboat, she has roomy interior accommodations for a leisurely life afloat.

Construction of Bayou Belle makes use of prefabricated sections, which means that much of the work can be done indoors in the average garage during the cold winter months, and the boat completed outdoors in time for launching in late spring.

Float-A-Home

A houseboat is a unique water craft in that it combines most of the comforts of home with the mobility of a boat.

Of course, use is limited to sheltered waters, and speeds are slow in comparison to more sea worthy vessels.

Float-A-Home is a 21-footer that provides plenty of living space for three or four persons.

An extremely simple houseboat to build, the free boat plans feature a strong hull with a heavy keel and close-spaced framing.

This, coupled with a relatively low profile, makes it a very stable craft.

Click Here for the free Plans

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Wooden Boat Plans & Blueprints

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Table of Contents

Overview of Wooden Boat Plans & Blueprints

Wooden boats have a timeless charm and appeal that captivates many enthusiasts. These vessels, with their elegant lines and natural beauty, evoke a sense of nostalgia and adventure. At the heart of every successful wooden boat project lies a set of detailed plans and blueprints. These comprehensive guides are essential for the construction of a seaworthy and visually stunning craft. Wooden boat plans provide a roadmap for the entire building process, ensuring that the final product meets the desired specifications and maintains its structural integrity. Whether you’re a seasoned boat builder or a passionate hobbyist, understanding the importance of these plans is crucial for embarking on your nautical journey.

Key Takeaways

• Wooden boat plans and blueprints are essential for building a boat from scratch.
• Detailed boat plans are crucial for ensuring accuracy and avoiding mistakes.
• Choosing the right wooden boat design is important for achieving your desired outcome.
• High-quality wooden boat blueprints can be found through reputable sources.
• Interpreting and utilizing boat plans effectively is key to a successful build.

The Importance of Detailed Boat Plans

Boat plans serve as a comprehensive guide for the construction process, outlining every step and component in meticulous detail. These detailed schematics ensure that the final vessel is not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and seaworthy. By following the precise measurements, materials , and techniques outlined in the plans, builders can have confidence in the stability and performance of their wooden boat. Accurate plans are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the vessel. Wooden boats , with their complex curves and intricate joinery, require precise engineering to withstand the stresses of the marine environment. The plans provide the necessary information to ensure that the boat’s frame, hull , and other critical components are designed and constructed to handle the demands of the open water. This attention to detail not only enhances the boat’s safety but also contributes to its longevity, allowing it to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Choosing the Right Wooden Boat Design

When embarking on a wooden boat project, the first step is to select the right design that aligns with your preferences, skill level, and intended use. Factors such as the boat’s size, purpose, and the builder’s experience all play a crucial role in this decision. For those new to wooden boat building , it’s essential to choose a design that matches their skill level and available resources. Smaller, simpler designs may be more suitable for beginners , as they often require fewer specialized tools and materials. As the builder’s confidence and expertise grow, they can explore more complex and ambitious designs that cater to their evolving needs and preferences. The diverse range of wooden boat designs available caters to a wide variety of enthusiasts. From classic sailboats and sleek motorboats to sturdy workboats and elegant canoes , the options are endless. Researching and comparing different designs can help prospective builders find the perfect match for their nautical dreams, whether they envision a family-friendly cruiser or a high-performance racing yacht .

Understanding the Components of Boat Plans

Delving into the intricate world of boat plans requires a thorough understanding of the various components that make up these comprehensive documents. From the hull and deck to the rigging and hardware, each element is meticulously detailed to guide the builder through the construction process. The hull, the foundation of the boat, is typically the most complex and crucial component of the plans. The detailed drawings and specifications outline the shape, dimensions, and structural elements of the hull, ensuring that it is designed to withstand the forces of the water. The deck plans, on the other hand, provide the necessary information for constructing the upper portion of the boat, including the layout, hatches, and other features. Interpreting the technical drawings and specifications within the boat plans is essential for a successful build. These detailed schematics, often accompanied by explanatory notes and measurements, allow builders to visualize the final product and translate the plans into a physical reality. By familiarizing themselves with the various components and their interconnections, builders can develop a comprehensive understanding of the boat’s design and construction, ultimately leading to a more rewarding and successful project.

Sourcing High-Quality Wooden Boat Blueprints

Obtaining reliable and accurate boat plans is a crucial step in the wooden boat building process. Identifying reputable sources for these essential documents is key to ensuring a successful and satisfying project. There are numerous avenues for sourcing high-quality wooden boat blueprints, from specialized boat plan publishers to online marketplaces and even direct from boat designers. When evaluating potential sources, it’s important to consider factors such as the level of detail, the reputation of the provider, and the availability of support and guidance throughout the construction process. Carefully examining the quality and completeness of the boat plans is essential. Detailed drawings, clear specifications, and comprehensive instructions are hallmarks of a well-designed set of blueprints. Builders should also look for plans that provide additional resources, such as material lists, tool recommendations, and step-by-step construction guidance, to further enhance the building experience. By investing in high-quality wooden boat blueprints from trusted sources, builders can have confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the plans, ultimately leading to a successful and rewarding boat-building journey.

Interpreting and Utilizing Boat Plans Effectively

Mastering the art of interpreting and utilizing boat plans is a crucial step in the wooden boat building process. These comprehensive documents serve as the roadmap for the entire construction, and a thorough understanding of their contents is essential for a successful project. Developing a deep familiarity with the boat plans, from the technical drawings to the accompanying instructions, is the foundation for a smooth and efficient build. Builders must carefully study the plans, familiarizing themselves with the various components, their dimensions, and the specific construction techniques required. This level of understanding allows them to visualize the final product and anticipate potential challenges or modifications that may arise during the building process. Effectively translating the boat plans into the physical construction of the vessel is where the true magic happens. By meticulously following the plans, builders can ensure that each step of the process, from the initial framing to the final finishing touches, aligns with the designer’s vision. This attention to detail not only enhances the structural integrity of the boat but also contributes to its overall aesthetic appeal and performance on the water.

Customizing Wooden Boat Designs to Suit Your Needs

The world of wooden boat building offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to explore the possibilities of customization and adaptation. While pre-existing boat designs provide a solid foundation, the ability to modify and tailor these plans to suit individual preferences and requirements can truly make a project a one-of-a-kind creation. Exploring the potential for customization opens up a world of possibilities for wooden boat builders. Whether it’s adjusting the dimensions to accommodate a specific space or incorporating personalized features and details, the flexibility of boat plans allows for a high degree of customization. Builders can draw inspiration from various design elements, blending traditional aesthetics with modern innovations to create a vessel that truly reflects their unique vision. However, customizing boat plans requires a careful and thoughtful approach. Builders must carefully consider the structural implications of any modifications, ensuring that the integrity and seaworthiness of the vessel are not compromised. By working closely with the plan’s designer or consulting with experienced boat builders, enthusiasts can navigate the process of customization with confidence, ultimately crafting a wooden boat that is a true reflection of their personal style and needs.

Building Your Dream Wooden Boat from Scratch

The culmination of the wooden boat building journey is the actual construction of the vessel, where the detailed plans and blueprints come to life. This hands-on process, while challenging, can be immensely rewarding for those who are willing to invest the time, effort, and dedication required. Gathering the necessary tools, materials, and resources is the first step in the construction process. Builders must ensure that they have access to high-quality wood, specialized hardware, and the appropriate power tools and equipment to tackle each stage of the build. Additionally, having a well-equipped workspace, whether it’s a dedicated workshop or a backyard shed, can greatly facilitate the construction process. With the plans in hand and the necessary materials and tools at the ready, the step-by-step guidance provided in the boat plans becomes the foundation for the actual construction. From the initial framing and hull shaping to the intricate joinery and final finishing touches, each stage of the build requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the plans. By following the instructions and techniques outlined in the blueprints, builders can navigate the construction process with confidence, gradually transforming their vision into a tangible, seaworthy wooden boat.

Maintaining and Preserving Your Wooden Boat

The journey of wooden boat building doesn’t end with the completion of the construction process. Proper maintenance and preservation techniques are essential for ensuring the longevity and continued enjoyment of your handcrafted vessel. Maintaining the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of a wooden boat requires a dedicated approach. Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and timely repairs are crucial for keeping the boat in top condition. Builders must familiarize themselves with the specific care and upkeep requirements outlined in the boat plans, as well as any additional guidance from experienced boat owners and restoration experts. Preserving the natural beauty and functionality of a wooden boat is a labor of love. From regular cleaning and varnishing to protecting the wood from the elements, the preservation process requires a meticulous and ongoing effort. By investing in the proper care and maintenance techniques, wooden boat owners can ensure that their beloved craft continues to turn heads and navigate the waters with grace and elegance for years to come. Ultimately, the journey of wooden boat building is a testament to the enduring appeal of these timeless vessels. From the initial selection of the boat plans to the final launch and beyond, each step is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that connects enthusiasts to the rich maritime heritage and the joy of crafting something truly unique. By embracing the art of wooden boat building, enthusiasts can create a lasting legacy, passing on their passion and their handcrafted vessels to future generations of nautical adventurers.

Conclusion – Wooden Boat Plans & Blueprints

In conclusion, wooden boat plans and blueprints are the indispensable tools that unlock the world of boat building for enthusiasts and novices alike. These meticulously crafted guides provide the roadmap to transform your dream vessel into a tangible reality. By following their precise measurements, materials, and instructions, you not only ensure the accuracy and completeness of your project but also save valuable time and resources.

The benefits of using wooden boat plans and blueprints extend beyond just a successful build. You have the freedom to create a boat that aligns with your unique preferences, whether you seek simplicity or complexity, small or large, rowboat or sailboat. The customization possibilities are as boundless as the open water.

These plans are not confined to a single purpose – they can serve as a fulfilling hobby, an educational tool, a potential business venture, or even a heartfelt gift to surprise your loved ones. Embrace them as a challenge to hone your skills and improve your capabilities as a boat builder.

The various types of wooden boat plans and blueprints cater to a wide array of preferences, from flat-bottomed boats for shallow waters to round-bottomed boats for stability in deeper seas, V-bottomed boats for agile efficiency, and multi-hull boats for added buoyancy and comfort. The options are as diverse as the waterways you intend to explore.

In your journey to create your wooden boat, you can find these plans and blueprints in books, magazines, websites, and even software programs. With the right plan in hand, you can venture into the world of boat building with confidence.

FAQs – Wooden Boat Plans & Blueprints

What are wooden boat plans and blueprints.

Wooden boat plans and blueprints are detailed instructions and diagrams that guide boat builders in constructing wooden boats . They include information on the materials needed, measurements, and step-by-step instructions for building the boat.

What types of wooden boats can be built using plans and blueprints?

There are various types of wooden boats that can be built using plans and blueprints, including canoes, kayaks , rowboats, sailboats, and powerboats. The plans and blueprints are usually specific to the type of boat being built.

Where can I find wooden boat plans and blueprints?

Wooden boat plans and blueprints can be found online, in books, and from boat building supply companies. Some plans and blueprints are free, while others require payment.

What materials are needed to build a wooden boat?

The materials needed to build a wooden boat depend on the type and size of the boat being built. Generally, wooden boats require marine-grade plywood , lumber, epoxy, fiberglass , and hardware such as screws, bolts, and nails.

Do I need to have experience in boat building to use wooden boat plans and blueprints?

While experience in boat building can be helpful, it is not always necessary to use wooden boat plans and blueprints. Many plans and blueprints are designed for beginners and include detailed instructions and diagrams to guide the builder through the process.

Can I modify wooden boat plans and blueprints?

Yes, wooden boat plans and blueprints can be modified to suit the builder’s needs or preferences. However, it is important to ensure that any modifications do not compromise the safety or structural integrity of the boat.

Written by DIY Boat Building Plans

How To Build a Utility Boat

How to Build a Dinghy

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

‍ Key Takeaways

• There are many sailboats that anyone can build from home depending on tastes
• Budget will be the biggest deciding factor on a majority of the process
• Consider kits that come with most of what you need or choose ones that are all-inclusive
• Design complexities and new materials may make the building time process longer
• Plan the best you can ahead of time to save money and your working hours

‍ Buying a sailboat can be expensive, but building your own can save you money. So what are sailboats you can build from home?

Sailboats that you can build from home will likely be a small boat under 20 feet. These could be from many different boat suppliers such as B&B Yachts, Brooks Boat Designs, and Chase Small Craft. Boat plans will vary based on your budget and how much time you have on your hands.

Based on my previous experience, building your own boat will take much longer than if a professional were to do it. You also have to be able to study plans, consider various sailboat designs, and have tons of supplies such as fiberglass tape or fiberglass cloth. On top of that, you will also have to be good with your hands.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Affordable Sailboats Anyone Can Build at Home

Building your own pocket cruiser or other styles from boat plans is an impressive feat, as this will need dedicated time and money to assure your boat sails safely. Boat building takes a lot of patience as well, especially since this will not be completed in a fast manner.

Finding boat plans and materials that fit your budget will be key to being able to complete the project. The time it takes to complete these projects will vary on your overall experience and needs. Below are 10 of the most affordable sailboats that you can build in the comfort of your home.

B&B Yachts

B&B Yachts have 14 different boat plans you can choose from to find the boat of your desires. Their shop is located along the Bay River in North Carolina where they construct all of the kits and have a 100 foot dock to show off your project once you complete it.

One popular model to check out is their Core Sound 15, as it is the perfect size for those wanting to build a modest size boat for a handful of people on board. Their website features some videos of completed projects and the plans or kits for purchase.

• 14 different models to choose from plus some dinghies
• Various monohull and multihull options
• Friendly customer service with attractive prices
• Might be too many options for some that are indecisive
• Not ideal for those wanting to have a motor sailer

Brooks Boat Designs

Brooks Boat Designs has a handful of options to consider for your next sailboat building project. They are located in Brookline, Maine and give the option to buy the kits or have them build one from scratch for you. They have plenty of knowledge, so do not be shy to ask about modifications or custom features you are looking for.

Depending on your specifics, they can attempt to accommodate some of their plans to help fit your desired outcome. By checking out their site, you can see many examples of their construction in progress and what the boats will look like when completed.

• Offers a variety of kits
• Plans vary around $50 and up, while materials will obviously add more costs
• Some plans can be rowing boats that can convert to sailboats
• Might take a while to hear back from them, as their contact section is a little outdated
• Their plans may not accommodate a ton of extras for your taste

Chase Small Craft

Chase Small Craft offers a simple process for building boats. Their kits are equipped with everything you need and will help save you time than just buying the materials outright and other parts you could need. This is arguably one of the best bang for buck instances if you want to save time and money searching for pieces to your boat.

They are located in Saco, Maine and will ship everything to your home from there. All the necessary materials are included and all you need are the proper tools and working space.

• All-inclusive kits with what you need
• Tons of knowledge on their site for boat building
• Easy process to order and customize
• Complete kits can range over $20,000 for larger boats
• Kits may take up to eight weeks to ship out

Chesapeake Light Craft

You can expect high-quality boat kits from Chesapeake Light Craft . They feature 18 different sailboat kits that vary from eight to 20 feet in length. This should be more than enough to find one for you if you are newer to boat building.

They also have a wide variety of other kits in addition to the sailboat, in the event that you wanted to order a small kayak or paddleboard in addition to your sailboat. The prices vary considerably when considering a small or larger boat, so check the complete list of options to in order to potentially fit your needs.

• Plenty of sailboat offerings to choose from
• Different beautiful hull form options to consider
• Easy to build and perfect for sailing
• Only has basic materials needed for kit, so you may need to purchase other items
• Has epoxy shipping fee no matter if you pick up item

Dudley Dix Yacht Design

Dudley Dix Yacht Design has an extensive list of plywood and single skin sailing boat options. They have plenty of sail plans and kits to consider depending on your goals. These follow a classic look for sailboats, which are aesthetically pleasing.

If you are wanting one to accommodate a small family, they have more than plenty to look through. The cost is not as bad compared to others, but keep in mind that you may need to throw in your own supplies or specific tools to get the job done.

• Plans start at $30 and range up to $7,500 or more for kits
• More than enough of options to consider
• Affordable variety of sailboat offerings
• Might be too many options for those new to sailing
• Most are wood without the use of aluminum or steel

Farrier Marine

If you are in search of a multihull to build, then Farrier Marine is what you need. They offer a unique folding catamaran that is trailerable and give you the option to build it yourself. This not only makes it an appealing option, but anyone can take this multihull boat wherever they want with ease.

It features a thorough construction guide once you receive all of the materials. These also come with stainless steel fasteners and an aluminum mast for high-quality materials. Pricing will vary since you must request which model type you are considering.

• Ability to build a unique catamaran
• In-depth construction guide to help
• Easily handled and trailerable
• Price may be too high
• Limited offerings since only a few multihull options

Glen-L Marine Designs

Building a boat from Glen-L Marine Designs can save you time and money. They feature an easy system to order and receive the kits, as well as an in-depth guide to building them. This is an appealing option compared to most boat kit sellers.

The beauty about Glen-L is that anyone can build these from scratch, so you do not have to be the best boat builder in the world to get it done. They offer guides and helpful insights from their team to point you in the right direction. Plans vary around $15, while kits can range well over $1,000 depending on boat size.

• Nearly 50 designs to choose from
• Complete guide to help anyone build it
• Plenty of price points depending on size
• Might be overwhelming with the amount of options
• Could take a while to get parts since they are popular

John Welsford Boat Designs

John Welsford Boat Designs invites new and veteran boat builders that want a taste of quality small wooden boats. The boat plans are designed to meet your specifications and are catered to your desires.

There are seven sailboat designs to choose from so you do not feel overwhelmed in the process. However, they do not sell kits all the time, so you would need to have the materials or be on the lookout for the best prices when they are available.

• Seven sailboat plans with different sizes
• Quality boat builder and supporting community
• In-depth knowledge provided to you when you order
• Might be too small of boat size
• Kits are not always available

Iain Oughtred

There are plenty of options on the wooden boat store, but you should narrow down your search for Iain Oughtred’s line of sailboat kits and plans. There are 25 different plans to choose from, which should accommodate most everyone looking to build their own boat.

While they do offer some kits, they do not routinely offer sailboat kits. You would need to purchase all of the materials if you are considering one of their sail plans. Keep this in mind if you are considering, as you would need to hunt down the parts yourself.

• 25 different sailboat plans to look through
• Various sizes to contemplate for you sailing needs
• Prices will vary but are not bad compared to market
• No sailboat kits, only plans
• Newer boat builders might find too many options unappealing

Paul Gartside Boat Builder and Designer

Gartside Boats is a boat builder company based in Long Island, New York that showcases a variety of boats from traditional and newer methods of boat building. Within that variety, they have boat plans meant for six to 50 feet in length.

With an abundance of options, you will need to contact them regarding prices and any customizable options. Kits may vary as well, as they typically design in-house and build for you.

• Experienced boat designer that can accommodate with custom plans
• Many options are trailerable
• Can have plans for up to a 50 foot boat
• You will need to contact them for prices
• Customized options may make process more complicated for new boat builders

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Sailboat at Home?

As you have likely already done so, the math between building your own boat and buying one may be a huge difference. Likewise, you may even enjoy the challenge of taking an older boat that is gutted and restoring with parts from a kit to build one new again.

But how much does it cost exactly to build a boat from the comfort of your own garage or workshop? The prices are going to vary dramatically depending on your situation and material needed to get the job done. In addition, the time that it takes to complete this will also vary.

Sail plans are rather inexpensive if you are aiming to build a small boat. These plans allow you to see the workings of the boat design and what you need to build the boat.

Without these plans, you will not know the exact details of the design and it can cause major issues with the boat’s hull or other areas of the boat. Think of these as the backbone or instructions of the boat’s infancy before being built.

Price Per Square Foot

You should assume to pay anywhere between $300 to $600 per square foot if you are interested in building a boat. Buying a kit outright can be a good way to save time, but oftentimes these do not come with everything you need.

Instead, you should try to source as much of the materials at the best price as possible. Thinking ahead is part of the process and you might be able to score a deal at a lumber yard or hardware store for parts.

Boat Designs Matter

The design of the boat will be much different from one boat to the next, regardless if they are the same size in length. If you are pondering boats that range anywhere between 16 and 20 feet, you should factor in the shape of the hull, any rigging, and various appendages.

Prices tend to increase when there are more complexities within the designs. If you are considering a kit with more details than others, you will also have to pay more for the designs on that as well.

Kits Can Differ

It is important to understand that all kits are not going to be the same. As you gander at sailboat kits online to stitch together, you need to thoroughly look over to see if you have everything you need before buying.

It would also be at your advantage to ask the seller if any additional parts or supplies are needed. This may change your dynamic on the kit buying process and you may pass up one for another if it has everything you need. An all-inclusive kit may cost several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more to have the convenience of everything in the bundle.

Construction Approaches

Some boat plans may require you to have certain tools to get the job done. This means special saws or planers, which the average person simply does not have.

Purchasing specialty tools might be expensive upfront and hard to find depending on what it is. Your best bet would be to check locally for others trying to sell their tools or consider a boat plan that does not require extensive tools to finish the job.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Sailboat?

An easy to build sailboat could take a while to build from scratch. Many different variances come into play that are difficult to pinpoint for everyone. But how long is that exactly and how will your experience play into this?

A fun project to sail in the wind could take you several months to well over a year depending on the boat plan and how big your boat is going to be. In addition, the materials all need to be accounted for prior to starting in the event a hardware store does not have them in stock.

Time Varies

The time that passes for simple boat designs on small sailing vessels can be done in a few weeks. This is assuming you have everything you need and work non-stop around the clock.

Certain complex situations may make the process long, such as the difficulty of working with some materials. If you are a skilled laborer, it may take you half the time compared to a novice. The amount of time it can take will vary on your availability and skill level.

Planning ahead will undoubtedly offer the most time-saving features. It also helps if you can tackle parts of the project at your own pace.

Complexity of Design

The design of the boat may make the construction process longer. For example, it may take you longer to build a catamaran compared to a similar lengthed monohull.

More complex designs might require more materials, therefore making the process a bit longer to complete. Furthermore, you will also need more experience working with difficult designs and that will affect you more as a newbie.

Be sure to manage your expectations well and do not allow yourself to become too stressed over this fun project. If you can, seek expert boat building advice from a local builder or the company you purchased sail plans through.

Quality Materials

The quality of the materials will matter significantly when building a boat and will greatly affect the time it takes to construct it. Handling fiberglass or carbon fiber might require specialty tools, while wood also demands a certain level of craftsmanship.

If you are not skilled at working with the material at hand, it might affect the quality of the build and you may have to go back to fix mistakes. This will definitely add more time to your project, because mistakes are bound to happen with your first project.

To save time, consider adding the tools and materials throughout the year or as often as your budget allows. You may want to try testing your skills on fiberglass or other materials to get a feel for how to work with it.

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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MarshallBrain.com Build your own boat of almost any shape and size using free plans. If you live anywhere near water (ocean, bay, lake, river) you have probably thought about having a boat. But have you ever thought about building your own boat? I had never really considered it until I came across this site: Free boat pl a ns There are three things that amazed me: When you start poking around on the Web, you can find thousands of different boat plans The process of building a boat is fairly straightforward and fairly inexpensive Boats come in an infinite number of shapes and sizes. While these plans are not free, they often come from free sources and a little Googling can reveal a free version: Sailboats & Auxiliaries 22′ TO 30′ You can find plans for 20+ foot sailboats that sleep two, built from plywood. At the other end of the spectrum, here is a catamaran made of PVC pipe and scrap wood: [You can skip the first 2:15 of this video to get straight to the plans] Here’s real-life experience building a portable folding boat from plans in “The Boy Mechanic”: If you have ever considered building your own boat – if the thought has ever flitted through your head for even a second – you owe it to yourself to jump into Google and YouTube and look for plans. It is amazing what is out there. Other House Ideas A different way to build a house #24 – The Future of Houses, The House of the Future A different way to build a house #25 – The Passive House A different way to build a house #26 – John Travolta’s Airplane House A different way to build a house #27 – The Sliding House A different way to build a house #28 – floating houses A different way to build a house #29 – The folding home A different way to build a house #30 – Billionaires’ Homes A different way to build a house #31 – Concrete House A different way to build a house #32 – Capsule Apartments A different way to build a house #33 – Prefab Duplex A different way to build a house #34 – bridge house A different way to build a house #35 – Tiny houses A different way to build a house #36 – Zero-energy and Triple-zero-houses A different way to build a house #37 – Build a house that is really thin A different way to build a house #38 – Foam and steel construction makes a quick, inexpensive, super-efficient house A different way to build a house #40 – The capsule A different way to build a house #41 – The ultra-secure house A different way to build a house #42: Print it A Different Way to Build a House #43: Add Secret Passages and Hidden Rooms to your house! A different way to build a house #44 – Display your finest car in the living room A different way to build a house #45 – Build yourself an Earthship for an ultra-sustainable green lifestyle A different way to build a house #46 – How to add an elevator to your home A different way to build a house #47 – underground and able to ride out “the apocalypse” A different way to build a house #48 – design your own house like an architect A different way to build a house #49 – A tiny apartment with moving walls becomes 24 different spaces A different way to build a house #50 – Build yourself a Ninja house, or add Ninja features to an existing home A different way to build a house #51 – An inexpensive home using recycled wood and natural materials A different way to build a house #52 – The flat pack house A different way to build a house #53 – inexpensive housing for the developing world A different way to build a house #54 – Log homes A different way to build a house #55 – Lustron homes – Amazing steel prefabs from 1950 A different way to build a house #56 – Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion pre-fab house from the 1930s A different way to build a house #57 – Using an RV as a home A different way to build a house #58 – Virginia Tech’s LumenHaus A different way to build a house #59 – Making the most of small apartment spaces A different way to build a house #60 – Building custom houses from laser-cut plywood A different way to build a house #61 – Building a house for $3,500 A Different Way To Build a House #62 – Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) construction A Different Way To Build a House #63 – An 1,000 square foot 2-bedroom apartment shrunk into 420 square feet A different way to build a house #64 – Fitting your whole life in a 90 square foot apartment How to build your own automatic Star Trek door for your home How to build an underground fallout shelter to ride out the apocalypse The $300 House competition Free Boat Plans How to live in your car The Official Site for Marshall Brain Building Skerry Building a Scamp Boatbuilding Links & Resources Boatbuilding Tools Plans for Boats, oars and paddles. Many free plans As I was looking through my boat plan links I realized that they were scattered here and there. I decided to compile the links all in one page to make it easier to navigate. Email me if a link is broken. I try to update everything often but the internet is a fast paced place. (and I'm not so quick), I've also included free oar and paddle plans and books with plans in them. I offer a few plans but most of these boat designs are links. I have not built most of these and cannot endorse them. Some plans are good, others not so much. Many plans are now available, particularly those that offer hundreds of plans for very cheap, which are reprints from old Popular Mechanics and other magazine. The building methods are somewhat dated and the plans often not very detailed. Of more concern materials such as lead paint are sometimes recommended. Do your homework before building these. Often buying a good set of plans from a recognized designer will save you time and money in the end. The following plan links may have duplicate because they may fit in different categories. A kayak plan might also be a free stitch and glue plan. Enjoy and go build a boat. Links to All kinds of boat plans, oars, some free plans Miscellaneous Boat Plans many of them free. It's my largest plan page. Whenever I find a new plan I try and add it to this list. Motorboats Everything from simple skiffs to elaborate speedboats, classic wooden boats and fishing vessels. Dory Boat Plans Various plans some of which are free. Wide range of dory styles, usually characterized by a pointy front, relatively flat sides and toumbstone transom. Skiff Plans By skiff I mean a simple shaped pointy boat with a wide transom. Often used as a fishing boat. Capable of planing and carrying a motor. Strip Building Plans Often cedar strips are used. Often results in lovely rounded shapes with glorious wood finish. A favourite for canoes and kayaks but often seen in sailboats and multihulls. Ultra-Light Boat plans Imagine building a boat that weights less than 30 pounds and even less. Canoe and Kayak plans Many free plans included. Tenders Selection of boats suitable as tenders, some free. Many methods of building including stitch and glue, ultralight and strip building. Free Boat Plans Free Skiff Plans Skiffs are fast easily built boats. Free Canoe and Kayak Plans There are some nice free designs out there. They vary in amount of detail offered. Free Stitch and Glue Plans Also plans that could be built using stitch and glue method. Free Rowboat Plans One Sheet Plans Boats can be built using only one sheet of plywood. Here are a few. Free Canoe and Paddle Plans some links some actual plans Free Plans for Simple Oars by Spark Geissler Nice easy to build oars. Links to many Free Oar, kayak and Canoe Paddles. Some nice designs including traditional kayak paddles. Free Paddle Plan From an old boy's book. Surf Boards and Paddle Boards Surf Boards and Paddle Board Plans Multihulls and Proas Multihulls including catamarans, trimarans and proas. House Boats I have a few free actual boat plans, some in pdf format. These are mostly from old sources. Check before building. Folding Boat Plan from Boy Mechanic Book Turn of the century design for a folding boat. Link to a video of someone who actually built it. It's quite good. I think the builder had to fiddle the dimensions some before it would fold properly, but it's a fun boat. Old Plan for Plywood Tender Actual plans, seems like a nice pram dinghy. Old Plan for Punt Actual plans, from old book. Substitute plywood for solid wood. Old Plan for Take Apart Skiff Actual plans, in PDF format. Boat is in 3 clip-together sections. Old Plan for folding boat in PDF format. Plywood with canvas hinges folding skiff. Take apart Jonboat come in 3 sections and has a built in cooler. Building a Skerry from plans Boatbuilding Links & Resources from my Website I try to be accurate and check my information, but mistakes happen. ALSO keep in mind that not all free boats are good designs. Some are but others are worth exactly what you pay. Also keep in mind while I'm in a preachy mood, that a good set of plans will save you lots of time and if you've paid for them you can actually often contact the designer and get help. About Modern Wooden Boats Tips & tricks What’s inside a boat plan ? Petrel 33: widen your horizons Petrel 33 is the logical evolution of her smaller sister petrel 28 , with the task to expand the horizons of cruising activity for a 4-6 person crew, raising the bar of onboard comfort, keeping the boat size under the critical (for a homebuilder) size of 34 foot – 10 meters of overall length., a “new classic” looking cruiser, sturdy, with no frills and weird solutions, ready to let you sail with a decent speed and a very good comfort level both at anchor and sailing., the starting point is the very good sailing capabilities shown by the petrel 28, so i decided to develope this hull into a enlarged design, keeping a quite narrow hull for actual standard, prolonging the bow lines for a plumb stempost; i expect to have a similar behaviour of the proven 28footer, with a tender weather helm in every situation, a very soft and gentle wave riding attitude in a seaway, and a good acceleration coming out of the tacks, i expect a little bit more speed given the longer water length ; section are moderately full at the bow, maximum beam is around 60% of hull lenght , transom sections keep a moderate vee. Stability calculations give us good parameters (see stability curve attached) , with a real large positive area stability, a 123° AVS (Angle of Vanishing Stability) with loaded boat, and a minimal negative area in the stability curves. Rig and sailplan: Sailplan is based on a 50% area split among mainsail and a furling jib ; we kept the upwind sailing area to a moderate value, avoiding “wannabe racers” temptations; a decent sized gennaker can be hoisted on the fixed bowsprit, an obvious choice given the fact that the new generation furlers are making this sails very easy to manage for cruising crews too, adding the pleasure of sailing downwind in light airs at a decent pace, a weather situation which is quite a pain in normal mainsail + jib configurations ; in roughest situation you can hoist a storm jib on a removable internal stay fitted on a high load chainplate leaning on the forward structural bulkhead ; rig is a classical 2 spreaders mast , spreaders are 15° swept, there is a structural backstay and no structural runners, lower shrouds are doubled., deck gear configuration features classical sturdy and manageable solutions, without too many frills : 4 self tailing winches to pull sheets, halyards and control lines, 2 stoppers array on cabin top panel, 2 tracks for jib cars, so that the jib can keep a decent shape even furled, a small track for the mainsail purchase, all the control lines are led to cockpit to avoid bow walks in “spicy” situations (plans will detail how to make bombproof fitting points for lifelines too);, boat will be powered by a diesel (20-30 hp) or electric (7 kw) inboard engine fitted with a saildrive or shaft-line transmission ; this will allow to keep a decent pace while motoring in zero wind situation, or to add a good booster to sail thrust if needed; i expect to reach a 6.5 knots boat speed at 2000 rpm with a 30 hp diesel engine., rudder and steering system:, rudder is a single blade semi-compensated one with tiller steering system ; there will be two options detailed on plans: spade rudder with ss steel shaft (this solution is depicted in rendered images), and an easier to build transom hung rudder., finkeel is naca profile keel made of welded steel plates, ; ballast is made by lead poured in the keel hollows ; keel is fitted on the hull with a web of bolts on solid hardwood floors, with nuts and high thickness ss steel counterplates under the cabin floorings; keel load is carefully distributed to avoid any local high stress area., interiors and on board living:, this area marks the main differences among this 34 footer and her smaller sister; higher hull topsides and two more meters of boat make a world of difference in terms of interiors and on board comfort; we have 6 regular berths, a comfortable galley and dinette area, a decent volume for on board systems and storage, all that you need to medium-long range sailing given the size of the boat ; both forward and after cabin are closed with a small door to gain a little bit more privacy ; cabin height is around 191 cm , cockpit is quite wide, and it’s designed to be comfortable for a crew of 6 while sailing with the heeled boat too ; transom area is protected by a sturdy wooden hinged structure that can be lowered when moored to be used as a transom platform. low sleek coamings protect the forward area of the cockpit , making the primary winch basement too; toerails and good sized areas among cabin flanks and hull sheerline make going to the bow a very safe operation even when boat is heeled and in rough conditions;, building system:, given the good amount of miles sailed by petrel 28  in every sea state with very good reliability, i keep a similar structure for this project, upgrading the scantlings to cope with higher stresses; so the boat structure is a grid of plywood bulkheads and frames linked by solid wood stringers and a mixed plywood-solid wood structure forming keel backbone and stempost ; hull planking is made by 12 mm plywood, with the radiused area made by two layers of 6 mm plywood panels , all glued to the underlying structural grid , in a reliable , sturdy and easy to build system called “radius chine” ; cabin , cockpit and deck surfaces are made by 10-12 mm plywood panels stiffened by a grid of secondary stringers, solid beams and other structural elements; the hull bottom is further stiffened by a number of solid wood floors , tightly spaced in the centerboat area, where they bear the finkeel loads. all critical areas and structural bondings are strengthened and stiffened by epoxy resin laminated glass fabric and epoxy resin liquid joinery and structural bondings. this building system is definitely suited to be realized by home builders or small boatyards, with a basic level of wood craftmanship , in a decent amount of time given the size of the boat., in my view this will allow a small boatyard to build and offer a highly customized top level sailboat keeping the final prize to a reasonable level, which is basically the main concern when it comes to manage a small boatyard.. Building plans and study plans: project Petrel 33 is is completed : now I’m starting the long and meticulous process of drawing the building plans; complete plans will be available approximately at the end of spring at this link , anyway if someone is so committed to long for an immediate start of construction he can purchase plans starting from now, a first batch of drawings (hull parts , assembly scaffold and hull structures) will be delivered within a week so that he can start building, the rest will follow as scheduled within half of June 2018; study plans and bill of materials will be available approximately within the end of April 2018 and will be downloadable form this page for free, as usual. Stay tuned !!! Plans price: 900 € for paper sheets, 840€ for pdf format drawings, 350 € for cad engraving files (required if you want to cut all the plywood parts with cnc machinery, includes keel steel plating shapes) ; plans will be made approximately of 27 drawings and a 25 pages booklet with assembly sequence, tips and tricks, plans can be purchased here, a discount will be available for the first buyer ., petrel 33 specifications, hull length: 9,90 m (bowsprit included), overall length: 9,90 m, maximum beam: 3,03 m, prismatic coefficient: 0,53, sink rate: 170kg/cm, canoe body wet surface: 18 m2, draft at design displacement: 1,80 m, vacant ship diplacement: 3400 kg (all gear up, no water and food, no fuel), design displacement: 4050kg (crew of 4 + luggage, 50kg fuel, acqua 150 liters water, 100 kg extra), maximum displacement: 4500 kg (crew of 6 + luggage, full fuel, full water), ballast: 1300 kg: fixed keel, upwind sail area : 47,3 m2 , mainsail 23.2 m2, jib 24 m2, staysail on removable babystay: 6.5 m2, gennaker: 65 m2, mast height on dwl: m 13,3, performance parameters : sa/displ^0.66 = 19.5 , sa/wet surface = 2.6 (canoe body only), engine: diesel inboard with saildrive or shaftline transmission, 20-30 hp, 50 liters fuel tank , electric engine specifications on plans, accommodations: 6 fulls sized (1,90 m or more) berths, 1 v berth at bow, 1 double berth on transom , 2 galley berths, interiors: charting table with main electric panel, vhf radio and chart plotter area, galley with stove, sink and 30 liters fridge, enclosed toilet with wc sink and shower, central table in dinette with foldable wings. 190 cm height in the whole galley area., systems: 12 v and 220 v wiring scheme, fresh water and black water plumbing scheme, 200 or more liter freshwater tanks.; two service batteries and a engine dedicated battery, ce label : possible b6/c10 , data to be required as extra item.. plans: 900€ for paper version, 840 for PDF version , 350 for CNC cutting files , can be purchased here   | | | | index. --> Boat plans from Science and Mechanics and Boat Builder Handbooks. Plans for Hydroplanes, Sailboats, Inboards, Runabouts, Canoes, Kayaks and many other boats. This is a user supported site. An online library. To contribute just send an " ". There are a few plans that have CAD drawings that users have provided. The few cad files that are available (".dwg" and ".dxf" files) can be viewed and printed with a most cad programs. A viewing only program is available at . If you need to view them and dont have a renderer then you can get the latest version you find there. Its no longer being updated but used to work pretty good. The ".png", ".jpg", and ".gif" files are best viewed and printed from your favorite photo editor. After you have followed the image link to the point it is no longer a link and is taking up the entire web page, Save "The Image File" on your local machine by right clicking on the big image you want to print and select "save image as". If you dont find the boat you were looking for in this library, your local public library may have an issue of the magazine with your boat in its archives. I had a request to save moms club, seafood recipe book, online to share with those who have had these. Well now that I have put these on here, they all want, ALL of there recipe's online. Well lets start with these first. They kind of go with boating I think. Check out the . Clams are awesome fried, in chowder, even dip's. Found this excellent reference for all things Clams. Check out intheboatshed.net Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast Free boat plans SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE FOR MANY MORE PLANS This a page of links to some favourite free boat plans at intheboatshed.net . They’ve been chosen because they are derived from traditional boats, or in some cases simply for their usefulness. There are quite a few here, but you’ll find still more in the intheboatshed.net weblog using the search gadget. If you find anything you feel I should add, please let me know at [email protected] . PLEASE ALWAYS USE THE LATEST VERSION WHICH WILL CONTAIN ANY CORRECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DESIGNERS ATTENTION. Brian King’s Barton skiff during construction: See a short video of Brian’s boat in action using a 3.5hp outboard at 6knots or so. Note the near complete lack of wake, which should indicate that the boat’s working efficiently. – The 14ft Sunny skiff – get the plans for this easy to build lightweight rowing boat  here . Sunny skiff lightweight plywood rowing dinghy – The 12ft Ella skiff – get the plans for this easy to build lightweight rowing boat here . – The sailing version of the Ella skiff – get the plans here   (now in version 1.2). The sailing version of the 12ft Ella skiff Ben Crawshaw sails the Ella skiff – The intheboatshed.net Julie 15ft 7in flat bottomed rowing skiff Additional measurements for building a strongback – if that’s the approach you prefer Complete free plans package for the intheboatshed.net flat-bottomed 15ft 6in skiff intheboatshed.net skiff – drawings and coordinates for stitch and glue intheboatshed.net skiff – photos of our model, and maybe yours too? intheboatshed.net skiff – now we can make a model intheboatshed.net skiff progress Early drawings for a 15ft 5in lightweight flat-bottomed American-style skiff The Mk 2 Light Trow – click on the photo for a larger image See a clip of the Light Trow sailing: Download the Mk 2 Light Trow plans , and the model-making plans (making a model to be an important preparation for making this kind of boat). Alain Yvorra sent over photographs of a model he has made: Alain wrote: ‘The design and plan made things very easy to follow, and the building of the model was a breath of fresh air, bringing, as I saw it coming together, quite a wonderful satisfaction.’ Also, see Ben Crawshaw’s excellent weblog about building and then cruising the Light Trow on the Spanish coast; also, read about the original trows : The Fleet Trow – The Cinderella canoe Al Burke’s Cinderella Al’s comments following his first test were interesting: ‘A successful design that is an absolute delight to paddle and which brought comments like “beautiful lines” and “do you want to sell it?” from people on the beach watching the test.’ I think this is a nice small open paddler, but bouyancy tanks or bags would be a essential if you’re going to do more than paddle in narrow rivers or small shallow lakes. See: A Cinderella canoe adapted for rowing Plans for building the Cinderella:  Cinderella  download – The Light Dinghy Light Dinghy – click on the drawing for a larger image For more on this boat, see: From dinghies to the Architectura Navalis and back Tempting plans for the boat-dreaming season, part III – Doris the Dory Plans for building Doris the Dory: Doris the Dory download   – The Forest & Stream skiff Forest & Stream skiff in built in Sweden – click on the photo for a larger image – see the post: A little classic to build this spring – The small Bluestone schooner :  My Bluestone schooner design in the spotlight  and the download including the chine version Free designs from other designers – A 12ft ply-built Fleet trow Photos by Jenny Steer and Derek Thompson Offsets kindly provided by the Boat Building Academy folks at the bottom of this post – A sailing Duck Punt, as raced on the English East Coast Plans for John Milgate’s Duck Punt – The South Haven Dory Build the South Haven Dory – International 12 dinghy George Cockshott’s sweet 12-foot dinghy – Chuck Merrell’s Apple Pie Temptations part V: a dinghy so small, your family will hardly notice… – Canvas canoe How to build a canvas canoe – Hannu Vartiala’s coracle Hannu Vartiala’s website changes address -The Brockway skiff Build the Brockway skiff – Wolfgang Brink’s Greenland Kayak How to build a Greenland kayak – An alternative folding boat An alternative folding boat – Boat plans from Practical Boatbuilding for Amateurs , including the 10ft double-ended skiff, various punts etc Practical Boat Building for Amateurs – Thames skiff and racing punt At last – free online designs for a skiff and a racing punt – Howard Irving Chappelle’s traditional 14ft skiff Chappelle’s 14ft skiff – another candidate for the 2008 boatbuilding season? – Mark Wallace’s Black Skiff Boatbuilding plans for the Black Skiff have been designed and made available for free by Mark Wallace – he says all he asks for is to be given the credit for designing the boat. I think it’s an elegant design. The plans are not likely to be the easiest for first-time boatbuilders to follow, but it would be well worth picking the required skills up by reading one of the classic books on this kind of boatbuilding. See the Intheboatshed.net Amazon bookshop for something suitable. Mark ways she’s a strong light-weight boat loosely with strong links to Scandinavian types. She proven to be an excellent rower, has a capacity of four adults and has a flat bottom for easy beaching. Go to Mark’s website for more information and plans in pdf format: http://www.markwallaceshipwright.com/plans.html By the way, don’t miss Mark’s impressive collection of testimonials . Share this: 75 thoughts on “free boat plans”. As my mind turns to building MY first boat during the winter months, I browsed and found many sites and such. Yours has been a great place to see and feed that desire. Thank you for your site. I live on a river that empties into the Matagorda bay, here in Texas, and the wind blows regular like crazy. But, I think that I found my first boat in the information given here on your site. Wish me luck!!! The water might be shallow here on the river but the mud is VERY deep. I'll be sure to send you photos and let you know how it all turns out. Again, thank you. Glad to be of help Charli – which boat are you planning to build for your first boatbuilding project? Hey, I am hoping to build the julie skiff for my first boat. I made the model last night but i am unsure on how it scales up, i downloaded the zip file and i am unsure on how to use your co-ordinates, please help! It's late and I have a date with a pillow, but I'd delighted you're interested in building this boat. The coordinates work like this. The letters label the many 'significant' points on the drawings, often they are points where two different lines join. The coordinates are pairs of numbers, as you'll have noticed, and each pair defines a particular single point on the ply. It's like plotting a graph at school, but if that doesn't come easily think of it this way: Consider two coordinates 3 1/8, 6 1/2 3 1/8 defines a line parallel to the left-hand edge that is 3 1/8in in from the edge, while 6 1/2 defines a line parallel to the bottom that is 6 1/2 up from the bottom. The point being defined is where the two cross! There are a lot of points to plot, and when they have been plotted, you have to join the dots to make a complete drawing, as it were. Does that help? If not, if you know someone with some background in maths should be able to sort it out for you using pencil and paper. Hey, I am 14 years old and plan on constructing a skiff for fishing. My grandpa has a Bachelors in Drafting and is very good with wood and we have all the tools, so I was wondering, do you think you could work with me on designing a boat if you have the time? I have a few ideas in mind and I'm starting to put them down on paper. By helping I mean could you tell me what I would need for the design I have? Thank you for such a great website! I'm sorry Ryan – I'd like to help but I'm desperately short of time due to work and family responsibilities. You max find some of my free plans will give you some ideas however. Gavin It's ok Gavin, Like I said, only if you have time and are interested. When I come up with a design I'll send you them and send you pictures of the outcome that you can put up 🙂 There's a great little book entitled How to design a boat by John Teale – if you can find it, I think it will be very useful. Thanks Gavin I have actually managed to maneuver my way over to Duckworks Magazine through your site, and they have been very helpful over there! Excellent news – I'm sorry I'm in no position to help myself at the moment. it's quite alright Gavin, you have been of help though. Your hard work in putting this site together has payed off for me and many others! Hi Gavin, Many thanks for all that you've done for potential DIY Boat Builders, like myself! Look forward to the new adventure. Hi there, a little advice please. my brother and I have a 3 year plan. My kids will both be teenagers in 3 years time. My brother is the sailor in the family (the brains) I am the canoeist and rower (used to be the brawn now a little slack around the middle). We want to build a boat that we can sail both on lakes and lochs and when the kids are teenagers we can take up the west coast of Scotland for extended touring holidays – ideally both camping and sleeping on the boat. At the moment the kids sail mirror dingy and are very keen to help in the build. My brother and i really like the looks of norse double enders and are taken with the caledonian yawl. Problem our woodworking skills are basic DIY – we've built sheds and summerhouses but would like some info on what we should expect from a project like this and what your thoughts are about choice of boat for our requirements. Hope you can help. That's a nice dream! Everyone you talk to will give you a different answer. If you're tendency is to craftsmanship, I'm sure you can build a Caledonian Yawl, but might benefit from building something simpler first. If it isn't, I'd suggest you don't even go there! I'd also say that by the time they're teenagers, your kids are unlikely to want to sail with Dad, and probably not for days at a time – your kids may be different but my experience is that what they enjoy most is being skipper of their own ship in the company of others in similar boats. That way, they don't have to follow orders or watch Dad do the interesting stuff, and they can race each other, chase each other, play at capsizing, flirt and all the rest of the stuff kids that age do. If you want them to be interested in boating and particularly sailing long term, I think the best advice is to find a sailing club that does this sort of thing well. I should add that home built boats are for individualists, which counts out most teenage kids. So if you would like to dabble in the noble art of boatbuilding, I'd suggest making something simple that you'll never regret owning and which will add a fun dimension to picnics on the river or to the seaside. I'm thinking of a lightweight little rowing boat like the Ella by the way! Hope that helps a little and doesn't seem too partial! Not sure if anyone can help but I'm looking to build a model of bawley cockler. Does anyone know where I can get plans to achieve this. Thank you all in appreciation. Great website and info. Are you selling plans for a large (or small) scale model of the Iain Oughtred designed St. Ayles Skiff? This was the one that Alec Jordan built for the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project (as seen in Water Craft magazine Jan/Feb 2010). I'm located in the United States. God bless and many thanks, I'm sorry Jimmy – I don't sell plans, at least not currently. Check my posts for a link to the Jordan site and ask him. He might be persuaded that the St Ayles skiff is now such a celebrity that he could successfully model kits. Actually, my guess is that some good models would make great trophies… Hi, I've been trying to download the free plans for the flying mouse without success.Can anyone please sent me a copy that I can just print off.Thanks most appreciated. Happy to do it. I'm delighted you're building one of these boats. Please keep in touch – I'll be pleased to help in any way I can. If the added weight is no problem to you, then it won't trouble the designer! The only thing I'd say is that I've never needed laminated such a large area and if I did so I'd want to know (i) how to eliminate bubbles and (ii) how to make sure those that do creep in are there are well sealed. The second part may be easy – perhaps all you have to do is to make sure you coat both sides of the joint well, I suppose, but the first part is something that would make me turn to the forums for advice from someone who has done it a few times. i found by accident some plans for a 16` launch, from a book about the ww2, is it possible to look at these some where on the site? hope you can help. regards julian I'd like to help Julian – but can you tell me anything more about the boat you're looking for? What was it that interested you? Was there a link to some plans? Did it have accommodation? hello gavin hope you ok ,i am still trying to find out about this motor launch, the plans are in a book you mentioned,is it possible to get a copy or any chance of a copy, regards julian All the information about this boat that appears in the book is in the post. If you found the particular edition of the Motor Boat Manual concerned (I can't remember which it is), you would not have any more information. Dear Sir/Madam, I am project secretary to Students Health HOme the largest student CBO/NGO in India. We are contemplating to start a mobile waterway health service in the Sunderbans for students. It would be highly convenient if you can help with some low cost boat plans for the purpose thanking you Dr. Amit Shankar Jana I have written to you directly. I need a flat bottom dolly boat design could you please make one? yours sincerly David Doyle I'm sorry but I don't understand the request. What's a dolly boat? Or do you mean boat dolly? Thanks, Gavin Hello Gavin, I have started to build a Barton Skiff and would love to put sails to this boat, please could you suggest a simple rig that I could use as I think it would set my boat off. Maybe also could you suggest the position of the mast. Kind Regards, I'm delighted to hear that you're building this boat, and would very much like to follow your progress and provide whatever help seems to be required. Where are you? However, the Barton skiff is really not intended to be a sailer – it's got the wrong kind of hull, particularly for upwind sailing. Also, I'd strongly suggest joining the gmaboatbuilders yahoogroup and reading through the experiences of Brian and Charles, who have both built the Barton skiff, and the correspondence will include some useful bits of advice. Of course, you could always have a small mast with cross trees if it tickles your fancy. Add nav lights and it would have real purpose… Gavin, I am on the North coast of Northern Ireland, from a small town called Coleraine about 5 minutes from the sea. I like the sound of the mast about 9 ft as my lathe has a 3 ft bed and I would turn it in three sections and have two cross members one at 3 ft and the bottom one at 5 ft with a cool red sail. I am a carpenter by trade so the woodwork side should be sorted. I am finishing all gunwales and finishing work with Mahogany and varnish with a green hull so it should be the best looking boat sitting in our bay. This all sounds good anyway. Kind Regards Sorry to bother you again as I have just realised that sailing this boat will not work ( you can tell I am a novice ). Your idea about a small mast, nav lights sounds real good so I think I will run with that. Work is progressing well. Many Thanks, Gavin, where would you position the small mast and what size, diameter etc do you think would look good. Hope to get some photos soon, the delay has been because daughter took my camera of to University and left us without one. Oh my gosh… Attached to the forward bulkhead, three times as high as the sheer, maybe 4 (side to side) by 5in (fore and aft) tapering to 4 by 4 or 3.5 by 3.5 from the front or back to taste, with a small cross tree about two thirds of the way from the sheeline to the top. That's my first guess, based on (an easy place to site it) and the rule of threes that works for most things! I've just remembered that you want to hang a sail from this mast – so forget the cross tree, make the dimensions an inch thicker each way, and make the mast about 10-12ft high. What sort of sail are you thinking of? I'd suggest a spritsail, or maybe a squaresail. You will of course need a rudder too! There's a fair amount of geometry involved in placing a sailing rig, so I guess this will be a largely downwind sail. Hi Gavin, just to let you know I have started to sheet the hull and things are getting exiting to see the shape come together. regards Andrew Bloody marvellous. Please stay in close touch! Gavin, Have finished sheeting bottom of hull and today before weather turned real bad I laminated Mahogany and Ash strips to the transom on the outside and it looks real good. Hope to sand down tomorrow and coat with epoxy to seal then finish the hull with ply before Xmas. Have set my launch date for Easter in Portrush so will be busy after Xmas. Bought an outboard last week and an engineering friend is stripping and rebuilding it for me and also restoring the paintwork to make as new. It is a small vintage 4 stroke as I do love working with old motors. Andrew McNeill ( barton skiff builder) I Have Just purchased a 1947 king Cruiserall original hardware , it needs tlc , i am looking for some basic plans to guid me on this restoration adventure , can you help , or direct me to somewhare i might find info .thanks robert I came to this site to answer the trunnell boat query, but noticed this page. With another hat on I run the Eventide Owners Group website. We have a host of practical seaworthy craft drawings available, designed by Gibbs, Buchanan and Griffiths, plus others, many have sailed far and wide. We pass on to anyone in our group, the drawings of all our boats , and membership is free, you just have to enrol. Each is on a CD and we do this at cost, £5.00 inc P&P UK and a little more for overseas. Visit the site to see more, we just want to keep these designs alive! Regards, John Williams website coordinator, Eventide Owners Group. Hello Gavin, my Barton skiff is now finished and is being launched this weekend. Iam so proud of her and I think she looks wonderful. I went with small mast and I added my own thoughts of what I wanted to make her look like. I will send photos and hopefully speak soon. Many thanks, Andrew Hi Gavin, well here I go again. I am thinking of building the Bluestone Schooner this winter as I am getting a berth in Portrush harbour and I think she will be the boat for me. Do I just download the plans again or can you send me a copy? Many thanks Andrew McNeill what a marvellous site. intend retiring to goa next year or so,i am a retired joiner so i fancy building a boat for fishing in goa, any advice and plans would be gratefully recieved. reg jeff Great Site. I am considering building a canoe or small boat. Preference is for a paddler, but I might also attach a sail on occasion. Usage would be on lakes, and such. I doubt we would ever carry more than an ice chest. Most common use would be fishing and wildlife watching. Would the Cinderella be too small for tandem use at only 12 feet. The Cinderella is a great, fun little boat, but is definitely a one person canoe, unless those involved are about 11 years old! Hi Gavin! I am looking to build a waterwag! I have a really old mold but am looking for plans so I can make this one lighter. I will have it professionally made so I dont think the complexity of the plans should be an issue. Do you know where I could get these plans? Many Thanks Congratulations on a fantastic website. I’d start by contacting the Water Wags class people – they have a web presence here: http://www.rsgyc.ie/sailing/class/category/water_wags I think I also remember that there are lines drawings in Dixon Kemp, but I don’t recall how much detail is included. Hi, i´m studying to become a boat builder, and as part of my first exam i want to make a stitch and glue project. I have three weeks of around 35 hours. I was wondering if you could advice me if building the sailing skiff in that time, could be possible. I have somewhat novice skills working with wood, but I am adept at powertools in general and have worked a lot with glasfiber and epoxy shaping, sanding, finishing etc. Hope to hear from you. Anders, Denmark. I don’t think so – the rig alone would take up that much time! You could possibly build a little paddler or rower in that time, but I think it would have to be rough and ready. Hi Gav, I grew up in a boatshed, as a professional fisherman and surfing on the east coast of Australia. Now I know this question is relative can be related to experience and how much discomfort you are prepared to tolerate, and in that if you have no choice but die or punch 40 footers, you could probably sail a grand banks dory leeched and yawled up if you had to and were lucky, but as a 55 yo guy whose trade was made redundant by computers and then left stitched up by a divorce that cleaned me out soon after, what would the smallest sailing vessel boat you would advise for solo crossing oceans and global circumnavigations. Of course I’d love an Old maid of kent or 59 foot schooner but it aint gonna happen. Well not instantly and I’m not getting any younger. I’ve made fine violins I got good brass for and am exceptional with timber/lumber, and worked in a loft, slip and sail makers years ago in my teens, so with the right project, in drip fed expenditure, a good book to revise, I could possibly fulfill a dream, and without going into too much detail could use the morale boost of an adventure and perhaps something beautiful to pack up and live on as well. So what sailing craft would fulfill these criteria given restrictions as to where shes lofted up in your opinion please?. I did read of a Dutchman sailing a kayak from Holland to Australia by coast hugging and Island vaults but was hoping to up the ante just a touch with something extremely seaworthy and comfortable to live on alone or two up (spooning:), but the smaller it is the more likely I can accommodate it successfully. You got a magic wand to go with that slide rule handy ? 🙂 Thanks for your input. Gavin; I have your book ulUltra simple boat building. I would love to build a Mini mouse. Are more detailed plans available or must I make do with what is in the book? By the way I loved the book. Larry Any plans for a simple version of a gondola or sandalo? It doesn’t have to be asymetrical, but it has to look like a gondola or a sandalo, and be capable of being rowed venetian style–facing forward with a single oar in a forcola oarlock. I don’t know of any I’m sorry to say. It would be fun to find some though! Good morning, I am interested in building a small clinker launch aproximately 5 mtrs in length I have searched for plans as of yet to no avail. Can you recommend any plans or where I can obtain them. Thankyou This may be the best I can offer you at present: http://intheboatshed.net/2008/11/04/drawings-for-a-16ft-motor-launch/ You might consider lengthening it by 10 per cent or so. Would that give you the size you need? G’day.Just saw Greig Traynor’s request & suggest he look at the very successful designs on Sydney Australia’s David Payne on his website at:www.payneyachts.com.I have seen a number of finished boats of all sizes from David’s drawing board & they look & work great. There are plenty of photos on the web including a slightly stretched version of the sort of design Greig is looking for,with a small cuddly cab fitted,on Ross Lillistone’s website at baysidewoodenboats.com.au. They can be built traditionally or as glued lapstrake. Al Burke ( Cinderella) btw,the bloke who bought cinders contacted me a while ago to say he has just repainted her same colour & still fishes out of her.He owns a restaurant on the Central Coast of NSW just north of Sydney. That’s all great stuff. Thanks Allan! Gavin, I’m looking at building a boat for the first time. I have minimal wood working experience, a dog house, simple stage sets, a few catapults 🙂 . I have built lots of r/c airplanes over the years so I should be able to work from plans. It doesn’t need to be “one boat to rule them all” or anything, just a small row boat, preferably car top able to get me started. Also needs to easally accommodate 250-300 pounds and handle some lake chop. I’m just guessing, but I’d say 12-18 inches peak to trough, maybe not even that much. Later I plan on building a yawl or wherry for rowing, and an outboard skiff ( maybe v bottom ) in the 15-20 foot range for taking the family out. Seriously considering the Ella or Field and Stream skiffs. If you have other recommendations I’d be glad to hear them. That’s ngreat to hear and good luck with your project. I’d say the Ella would be simplest and most worked out. Thank you! Hope to get started soon. Rowing the broken down loaner John boats at my local lake is not all that much fun. At least gets me out on the water for now. You’ll find that even the the little Ella will take you to a completely different place. the Sunny and Julie even more so. Hi Gavin, I really like your Ella sailing skiff design, but I was looking for a way to use less plywood. Would it work to use oak wood frames and only have plywood for the sections that need buoyancy frame 5 and 2, and leaving out the forward and aft side buoyancy tanks? Would this work or would this not provide enough buoyancy add to much weight? Weight wise it would be fine. I /think/ the built in buoyancy is about right – include less and you may find she’s a lot harder to bail. Why is economising on plywood important to you? There’s a few reasons, for one, I have never built a boat, haven’t sailed, but have been on boats before, motor and row, so I don’t know what is a necessity, and what is a luxury. Another reason is I’m trying to find the most amount of boat for the least amount of money that can take a couple people and gear along the gulf of Mexico on nice days. I want to use it to search around the keys, and on the rivers and lakes, but mostly as a boat I can car top or trail, take to the beach and learn to sail with near the beach. The waters on the gulf are choppy, but mostly calm, the waves are a foot or less most days, but can get to 3 or 4 on occasion. Also, marine ply is tougher to find and solid woods are found in any hardware store. I’ve looked at the Julie and light trow mk2, would any these work for what I want to do? I’m delighted by your interest in the Ella, the Julie and the Light Trow. These are great questions. What you’re proposing is sea sailing in a small boat. With that in mind I’d advocate starting by going sailing of the kind you’d like to do with someone experienced – there may be someone locally who does that stuff. Certainly there are things to learn in order to do it safely. Around the Gulf of Mexico, you’re not /that/ far from Chuck Leinweber, originator of Duckworks, and he might know someone. There may also be clubs and associations… Designers design-in the details of their plans for a reason and changing them is best done by the experienced. For example, the small bouyancy boxes in the sides of the Ella are there to make sure that the dinghy floats high enough to come up without too much water inside when righted after a capsize. You might prefer not to have them – but I’d want to right the little boat from a few capsizes before I decided they were unnecessary. Some people might feel that way – they may even feel that those spaces would be better used as handy pockets for bits of line etc, but I think you’d want to know for sure before making the change. I think most folks who design boats will make the same kind of point. Good luck with sailing and boat building! PS – they may even know where to get good ply! Actually, you might think about joining the Duckworks Facebook group and asking whether there’s anyone local who would be happy to give you some on the water time… Gavin, I am hoping to construct a simple boat like the Light Dinghy shown above. can you send me a better copy of the drawing so that I can use it as a line plan. Gavin, was looking for plans to the Lilypad punt. Any blogs or posts of users and where they use them? I’m in American Midwest. It’s in the book only, I’m afraid. Hi all, This is a scale modeller’s cry for help, please bear with me. Does anyone by chance happen to have plans and/or schematics for Uffa Fox’s AIrborne Lifeboat Mk.II? Haven’t been able to find something detailed yet. Any help highly appreciated! Thank you! Gavin – do you know where I can obtain plans for a full-size bateau boat? One that was used to transport goods down river. The only plans that I can find are for smaller versions. Thanks, Jim The largest I’ve seen is the one published in one of Pete Culler’s books. From memory I think that was in the 18-20ft range. Hello from Nova Scotia Canada , looking for Aurette plans if anyone knows please give a shout . Thanks from Bob [email protected] Leave a Reply Cancel reply This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed . Privacy Policy Terms Of Service The Self-Sufficient Living Is about simple living,growing your own food,raising livestock,Do It By Yourself,off grid living,gardening,homemade products 13 free boat plans you can build for cheap. Farhan Ahsan April 12, 2023 Camping & Survival , DIY 10,172 Views Imagine being the captain of your very own boat that you built yourself! I remember the excitement of building DIY boats with my family. We found some free boat plans online and got to work. It was a great bonding experience and saved us a lot of money. With these free boat plans, you can build your own water vessel without breaking the bank. Whether you love sailing, rowing, or just relaxing on the water, there’s a DIY boat for you. And the best part is, they’re small enough to easily take to the lake or river. I remember thinking about all the fun we’d have on the water once our boats were finished. We could go fishing, have races, or simply enjoy the scenery together. It was exciting to think about all the adventures we’d have as a family with our homemade boats. Think of all the fun afternoons you can spend with your family enjoying water sports and get busy building some of these cheap watercrafts. Quick Navigation 1- Flat Bottom Punt If you’re looking for a DIY boat that’s both affordable and spacious enough for 2-3 people, I suggest trying out this free plan for a flat bottom punt by hvartial . I remember when I built one of these with my friends, and it was perfect for our fishing trips on the nearby lake. This flat bottom punt is great for shallow waters, making it ideal for fishing or even duck hunting. We found it really sturdy, especially when we added a small outboard motor. And if you prefer a quieter experience, you can easily propel it with a pole or oars. It was so versatile! 2- Classic Boat Plans A boat gives you freedom on the water so you can explore areas that are not accessible by land. As we know boats are an expensive luxury items unless you build one yourself. These free plans by popularmechanics   will show you how to build a classic boat that will give you freedom on the water for many years. You can download and print out the detailed instructions from the PDF manual. The printed instructions can be taken outside to the building site so you can build this boat with ease. A classic boat like this one will allow you to fish, hunt, explore, or just relax on the water. 3- Woodworkers Dream Boat Building a wooden boat from YouTube is an exciting project, especially if you’re into woodworking like I am. I remember the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands, knowing it would bring joy for years to come on the water. The free boat plans on YouTube guide you through crafting a wooden boat that comfortably fits 3-4 people. It’s perfect for a day of fishing with loved ones. I’ve found that these homemade boats are not only sturdy but also spacious enough to carry fishing, hunting, or camping gear. With a boat like this, you can embark on weekend getaways, exploring new areas and enjoying nature to the fullest. 4- Mouseboat Plans Coming in at number four is a simple DIY boat design that resembles a kayak but offers better stability on the water with its squared hull. I remember building one of these mouseboats using plywood and zip ties, following the instructions from Instructables . It was a breeze to put together, resulting in a lightweight and secure boat perfect for solo adventures. The squared end and semi-flat bottom design make this boat ideal for fishing, ensuring safety and stability on the water. With enough space for one person and a bit of fishing gear, it’s a cost-effective way to enjoy the water without breaking the bank. Plus, its lightweight nature allows for easy transportation, whether carrying it upstairs or securing it on the top luggage rack of your vehicle. 5- Plywood Boat Plans Building your own boat can be a wonderful bonding experience with your kids. I remember when my dad and I built a small sailboat together; it was a project filled with learning and laughter. Watching a YouTube video for guidance can simplify the process, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced builders alike. Plywood boats are practical and manageable projects, especially if you have limited space like I did in my small apartment. The detailed plans provided in the video ensure that you have clear instructions every step of the way. Plus, working with plywood keeps the cost down while still producing a sturdy and reliable vessel for your adventures on the water. 6- Stitch And Glue Kayak Creating your own boat can be a rewarding journey, blending craftsmanship with adventure. I recall when I built my first kayak using similar free plans like this one by instructables ; it was a process of trial and error that ultimately led to a vessel I was proud to call my own. Following these freeboat plans opens up a world of possibilities. From selecting the perfect wood to mastering the art of stitching and gluing, each step brings you closer to your own custom kayak . Not only is kayaking a fantastic way to stay active and explore nature, but building your own kayak also adds a sense of accomplishment and connection to your watercraft. Whether you’re paddling solo or with loved ones, the memories you create on the water will be priceless. 7- Little Boat Crafting your own boat evokes a sense of adventure and fulfillment, reminiscent of the time I stumbled upon plans on Wikihow for a compact wooden vessel. Its size perfectly suited for car-top transport, it promised boundless fishing and hunting escapades without the hassle of towing. The detailed guidance provided in these complimentary plywood boat blueprints streamlined the construction process, transforming a modest investment into a seaworthy craft. Owning a pair of these boats expanded the joy of water exploration, allowing for shared experiences with friends or loved ones, doubling the excitement on our aquatic outings. 8- Two Piece Wooden Boat Building your own boat can be a fulfilling adventure, much like when I discovered plans for a two-piece wooden vessel. Its size and sturdiness were enticing, but what intrigued me most was its clever design, allowing for effortless disassembly and storage. These fishing boat plans from motherearthnews offer versatility for various water activities. Whether you’re angling with friends or cruising with family, the spacious design accommodates your needs. The convenience of disassembling the boat means you can easily transport it on a small trailer, opening up possibilities for exploration in distant waters. When not in use, the compact storage of the two-piece boat ensures it won’t clutter your space, leaving room for other adventures. With your homemade watercraft at the ready, you can embark on fishing trips, duck hunts, or simply unwind on tranquil waters, creating memories to cherish for years to come. 9- Pontoon Boat This YouTube video will provide you with pontoon boat plans so you can easily and cheaply build one for yourself. This homemade pontoon boat on youtube has plenty of seating for the whole family and is covered so everyone will be protected from the burning rays of the sun. A deck surrounds the seating so there is plenty of space for fishing, jumping into the water, sunbathing, and picnicking. The recycled 55-gallons drums keep the pontoon boat buoyant and the small outboard motor keeps the boat on course to your chosen destination. 10- Blow Up Raft Boat Transforming an ordinary blow-up raft into a fully equipped fishing boat is not only affordable but also a rewarding endeavor, much like my own experience of creating a customized watercraft from unconventional materials. These free boat plans offer a practical solution for anglers on a budget, allowing you to craft a fishing boat complete with seating and entertainment amenities. The DIY boat featured by littlethings ensures a safe and enjoyable fishing experience for two, boasting ample space and comfort for a full day of angling. Equipped with essential features like fishing rod holders, a trolling motor, and paddles, this makeshift vessel is ready for adventure with minimal investment. By adding personal touches like a cooler, bait, and fishing tackle, you can tailor your boat to suit your specific needs, guaranteeing countless hours of fun on the water. 11- PVC Pipe Pontoon Boat Crafting your own boat can lead to inventive solutions, much like when I stumbled upon plans for a flat top pontoon utilizing PVC pipes. Its unique design promised affordability and quick assembly, allowing for spontaneous lake outings without delay. Watching a YouTube video demonstrating the propulsion of the pontoon by a small outboard motor sparked my imagination for future adventures. The lightweight construction of the watercraft made it easily transportable, whether on the roof rack of a vehicle or a compact camper trailer . With free boat plans available online, you too can embark on the journey of building your own PVC pipe pontoon boat, offering endless possibilities for leisurely activities on the water. 12- $200 Pontoon Boat You can build a pontoon boat for $200 with these free boat plans on YouTube. It’s a low budget DIY project that uses 55-gallon drums as the floatation device and treated lumber for the decking. Great for fishing or trolling around the lake with a small outboard motor. The platform is large enough for the whole family so this cheap pontoon boat on youtube video will provide hours of fun for everyone. Use it to go fishing, swimming, picnicking, and exploring. Good cheap family fun from this $200 wooden pontoon boat that you can build yourself. 13- Electric Motor Boat Crafting your own boat opens doors to creativity and innovation, much like when I delved into building a DIY boat resembling a surfboard, but with the added twist of a small electric motor. Inspired by similar projects showcased in YouTube instructions , I envisioned the potential for free-sailing adventures by incorporating a sail into the design. Utilizing foam akin to that used in surfboards for the boat’s bottom provided not only buoyancy but also enhanced stability on the water. The inclusion of a comfortable seat ensured leisurely outings, whether fishing or exploring the lake’s tranquil waters. The lightweight nature of the foam rendered the boat effortlessly portable, facilitating easy transport to any desired destination. Its compact size allowed it to snugly fit atop most vehicles, offering convenience for spontaneous excursions. With detailed plans available on YouTube, constructing this electric motor boat became a straightforward endeavor, requiring just a few hours of dedication to bring the vision to life. Having your own boat is quite expensive as compared to the one you made yourself. Enjoy time on water, sail, or hunting fish with your friends and family with these easy to make boats . You can select from any of these free boat plans to build your boat that suits your skills and budget. References: JSTOR, The Journal of Educational Thought, Vol. 39, No. 1 (Spring, 2005), Published By: Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, “Boat Building: A Metaphor for Teaching as a Creative Enterprise” , https://www.jstor.org/stable/23767484 Web.archive.org, International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design, 3(3), 43-61, July-September 2013, “A Study on Project-Based Learning in a Boat Design and Building University Course” https://web.archive.org/web/20190307033244id_/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d9f6/cee1e5a83de34c8eb23c960c67b6c9a69bc3.pdf Education Royal Society Of Chemistry, “Building a chemically powered boat” , https://edu.rsc.org/in-search-of-solutions/building-a-chemically-powered-boat/1170.article About Farhan Ahsan 12 DIY Garden Rooms You Can Build Yourself To Work from Home A DIY garden room is a new trend for creating more space in your existing … Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * 50th Anniversary Collectors Issue - September/October Issue No. 300 Preview Now Plans & Kits If you’re in the market for a boat to build, this directory of Boat Plans & Kits is a fine place to start. And if your company sells plans or kits, we invite you to list your offerings here. There is no charge for listing, but the featured boats must be built of wood. To refine your search of this directory, use quotation marks. If you search Nutshell Pram Kit, you’ll receive all the listings that include the words Nutshell, Pram, and Kit. To refine your search, enter “Nutshell Pram Kit”; you’ll then see only the results for Nutshell Pram kits. Post Your Boat Plans & Kits Post Your Plans/Kits login or register Search plans & kits. To refine your search, add quote marks. If you search Nutshell Pram Kit, you will get all the listings which include Nutshell, Pram, and Kit. To refine, search “Nutshell Pram Kit” and you’ll see just Nutshell Pram Kit results. 717 Results The Crystal 16 was designed to be a simple, lightweight flats skiff. Her hull is a simple V-bottom with a bit of flare in her topsides. Her deck features a large casting platform forward with two smaller platforms back aft on both sides. Storage is available up forward below the casting deck. Sailboats - Cruising Cape henry 21. Cape Henry 21 lapstrake plywood trailer sailer Sailboats - Racing The input was “design a pure cruising boat”.The boat has wide internal volumes, limited draft, average/high displacement and sailing area which do not require a continuos sail change.The hull lines have been developed both to corner and round.We wanted to realize something new for deck design. Half Model Plan PAPOOSE Cutter designed by Edward Burgess in 1887, and the inspiration for the 40′ class.The plans produce a model that is 22″ long.You’ll receive 3 pages of plans, historical information about the boat, step-by-step instructions and full-sized patterns for each lift, as well as template for you to shape Goat Island Skiff The Goat has become known worldwide for being a simple to build and simple to sail that delivers. Fantail Launch, by Bolger This exquisite launch leaves little wake at five knots. Her plans show both cold-molded and plank-on-frame construction. Construction: Cold-Molded or Carvel planked over steamed frames. Alternative construction: Lapstrake. Lofting is required. Plans include 5 sheets. Oar / Paddle Chesapeake lt 17. The Chesapeake touring kayaks are icons in the sea kayaking world. Built in the thousands in dozens of countries around the world, the Chesapeakes are solid-tracking, comfortable kayaks. Pinguino 145 Wooden Kayak Kit Stable, comfortable, and well-mannered, the Pinguino is great for fishing, bird watching and photography. She is the perfect kayak for messing about in mild rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and coast. Motorboats - Outboard World boat skiff 18. Design Specs: Flat Bottom Open Boat LOA. 17′-3″ (5.2m) Beam 6′ (1.8m) Weight 450 lbs (204 kg) Material Plywood, Hard Wood Fiberglass, Other. Recommended hp. 25 Didi Mount Gay 30 Didi Mount Gay 30 radius chine plywood racer Share your boatbuilding plans or kits today. Login Sign up From the Community Great Lakes Class sloop Built by the Burr Bros in 1960, this 36' beauty with a 10'9" beam was restored over seven years a 1962 40' Sparkman & Stephens Yawl Alita is a Sparkman & Stephens yawl (design #1245-S), built in 1962 by Astillero Bottini in M Newly built 12’ Lawton Tender row boat Self built, original Newfound Boat Works 10’ plan extended to 12’. Bristol Seacraft Chick From online exclusives, whiskey plank. Rotating Wing Masts—Part II Extended content. Slocum’s Luck Hurricane Preparedness—Part I 13 Boat Plans Following is an assortment of boat plans. These plans are not for the novice woodworker. Building a boat from a set of boat plans requires a good knowledge and a lot of experience in woodworking and wood craft techniques. For those that are competent woodworkers, the successful completion of the construction of a boat can be an immense ego trip! Always read the boat plans carefully and make sure that there is enough information provided for you to be able to complete the project - before you invest in materials. Some of the plans are excellent, giving a great deal of instruction in text, pictures and drawings while other plans are only drawings and still others are only sketches. As well, some of the boat plans, require a woodworking shop that is outfitted with a good selection of stationary power tools such as a drill press, jointer and thickness planer. These boat plans are for the intermediate to expert woodworker. Additional boat plans can be found under the specific type of boat: Canoe plans Dinghy plans, houseboat plans, hydroplane plans, kayak plans, motorboat plans, paddle & oar plans, sailboat plans. Pontoon boat plans . Row boat plans . Duck boat plans . Jet Ski plans . Johnboat boat plans . Ozark Johnboat - boat plans . Wooden skiff boat plans . Wooden fishing boat plans . Scandinavian punt - boat plans . Simple wooden boat - You can power it with oars or outboard. Neither time nor cost should stop you. 15 ft. 6 in. Skiff boat plans . 12' Jon boat - Fisherman who like to work the shallow backwaters and weed patches on lakes and rivers will find this flat-bottom scow-type boat an ideal craft. These dory boat plans are provided in exceptional detail, including step-by-step digital pictures and instructions for every detail. This is the perfect boat project for even a novice woodworker., impress your friends and family by building this exquisite dory boat. 17 ft. Skiff boat - The inherent advantages of this hull form are its shallow draft, great stability, and low center of gravity. Full protection for the propeller is provided by the box keel. Use the form on the right to contact us with any enquiries you may have. Please ensure your spam filters are set accordingly, we have been replying to enquiries regarding contact with no replies. 123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999 (123) 555-6789 [email protected] You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab. Link to read me page with more information. Classic Wooden Boat Plans Classic wooden boat plans is a collection of established wooden boat designs ranging from the early 1900’s to about 1970. Some of our own designs are Banshee, Custom Barrelback 19 and the Deep V inspired by the Donzi Sweet 16, Bantam. Other plans include Chris Craft, Hacker, Gar Wood, Riva, Switzer, barrel back, Baby Bootlegger, Flyer, Teaser, Rosita Hacker. Best Sellers No products in the cart. Build your own sail boat with Hartley Boat Plans. Hartley sail boats are the benchmark in reliable and sea worthy trailer sailers, in fact the name trailer sailer was coined by these amazing craft. Many of these build plans also have a printed study pack available to help you through your project. Cape Bay 45 Cape Otway 37 Chuckles 18 Dateline 51 Eastcoaster 16 Easthaven 34 Hartley 16ft (5m) Trailer Sailer Hartley 30 (Plywood Version) Hartley 30 (Steel Version) Royal Suva 52 Samson ‘C-Baron’ 55 Samson ‘C-Breeze’ 45 Samson ‘C-Deuce’ 45 Samson ‘C-Fever’ 62 Samson ‘C-Lord’ 53 Samson ‘C-Quence’ 36 Samson ‘C-Witch’ 63 Tahitian 27 Tahitian 33 Tahitian 38 Tahitian 45-50 Westhaven 32 If you would like to own one of these lovely little boats, but don't have the time or ability to build one yourself, you can order a finished boat. The base price for a rowing version is $6,175.00, with a choice of sailing rigs available as optional extras. You can also order a bare hull to finish yourself. Give me a call at , or send me an e-mail at           I’m Arch Davis – I learned boatbuilding and design in New Zealand in the 1970s. I have been helping people to build beautiful wooden boats since 1988. You can see a few of them by clicking on Picture Gallery . My approach to design is to put into your hands the means to use modern materials – marine plywood and epoxy resin – to build a truly lovely boat with classic lines.       I believe that a boat should be beautiful, not just by virtue of her lines, but also in her construction. No material makes this possible like wood. My aim is to take advantage of wood’s unique strengths, in a structure that captivates the eye. I want you to feel that you are always doing good work in building one of these boats.        You’ll see that I have a small collection of designs. That is because I understand your need for clear, comprehensible, detailed plans and instructions. I put a lot of time into my drawings, building manuals and DVDs. I also spend a lot of time helping people through their projects, on the phone or by e-mail. I really am here to help!       If you see something that you like in my collection, please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am available on the phone at 207-930-9873, or email me at [email protected] . Wooden Boat Plans and Boat Kits by Arch Davis Grace's Tender - More than just a tender, this little dinghy is a fine vessel in her own right. She is a pleasure to row, and sprightly under her simple sailing rig - a great boat for youngsters to mess about in. Bay Pilot 18 - an 18 ft pilothouse cruiser for outboard power. Laughing Gull - 16 ft self-bailing sailing/rowing skiff. Ace 14 - 14 ft performance daysailer Penobscot 13 - 13 ft little sister to Penobscot 14. Penobscot 14 - 14 ft glued lapstrake sailing/rowing skiff. Penobscot 17 - big sister to the Penobscot 14 Sand Dollar - 11 ft sailing/rowing skiff. Jack Tar - 26 ft plywood lobster boat design Jiffy 9-7 - suitable for rowing or a small outboard motor Jiffy 22 - outboard powered cabin skiff Jiffv V-22 - vee-bottom sister of the Jiffy 22 About My Boat Kits        I also have epoxy kits and plywood packages for all my designs, plus sails, rigging, and numerous other items. Here's my daughter, Grace, setting up the frames for a Grace's Tender kit.   My two week class “Building the Penobscot 13” at the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, Maine, is one of the highlights of my summer, and has been very well reviewed by students. The school on beautiful Eggemoggin Reach is a great place to spend some time. You get the chance to see a variety of activities, there is a fleet of small wooden boats that are available to students in the evenings and on weekends, and the food is great! If you would like to take my class, call me at or send an e-mail to You can see what the school has to offer here:     Please call or write to me at: Arch Davis Design 37 Doak Road Belfast, Maine 04915 Tel:207-930-9873   If you would like to receive a newsletter from Arch Davis Design, send me an e-mail at [email protected] 201 IMAGES Instant get Boat building plans sailboat wooden sailboat plans DiY idea21 10 Ellen sailing dinghy Classic wooden sailing yachts plans Build your own sailboat download pdf ~ How to build a sailboat kit Sailboat Boat Plans 24 Designs, Small Wood Boat Plans Download VIDEO Yellowtail From a Kayak Sailboat Plans--Daysailers 10 ft to 15 ft LOA Vintage Sailboat Plans Boat plans, boat building kits for amateur boat builders Building a Classic Wooden Sailboat Master Boat Building with 518 Step-by-Step Plans COMMENTS Free Sailboat Plans affiliate links Cabin Cruiser, Free Sailboat Plans Petrel You can build this 16ft boat as a day sailer or an overnighter with cabin. Petrel is a Free Sailboat Plan that fulfils the greatest possible variety of uses in one model, offering the builder either an open-cockpit racing craft with comfortable accommodation for day sailing or a snug cabin model with accommodation for overnight trips to ... 15 Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs) Because this boat plan is also sturdy enough to handle a small motor, it includes important points for protecting the wooden hull from spark plug damage. Be careful to follow these guidelines to build the safest boat possible if you imagine installing a motor down the line. The Jollyroger. 7. The Cork. Free Boat Plans Free Boat Plans. A selection of Free Boat Plans that can be viewed and / or downloaded. These free to download wooden boat plans (pdf) were first published in magazines such as "Popular Mechanics", "Popular Science" and the "Boat Builder's Handbook". "Popular Science" magazine and "Popular Mechanics" back issues can be viewed online at Google ... Wooden Boat Plans & Blueprints The benefits of using wooden boat plans and blueprints extend beyond just a successful build. You have the freedom to create a boat that aligns with your unique preferences, whether you seek simplicity or complexity, small or large, rowboat or sailboat. The customization possibilities are as boundless as the open water. Plans & Kits Lisa B Good - Free Plans. Download free plans Essential statistics Length overall - 16' Beam at trailer bed - 7' 6" Beam at rubrails - 8' Weight - about 2500 lbs Draft - 5" Headroom - 6' 5" at center Power - 5-10 hp outboard Speed - 5 kts downhill Features "Lisa B... Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home Sailboats that you can build from home will likely be a small boat under 20 feet. These could be from many different boat suppliers such as B&B Yachts, Brooks Boat Designs, and Chase Small Craft. Boat plans will vary based on your budget and how much time you have on your hands. Based on my previous experience, building your own boat will take ... Free boat plans, online boat plan sources, and free CAD boat drawing Free Boat Plans Free plans from Science and Mechanics and Boat Builders Handbook magazines. (Added: 22-Nov-2001 Hits: 273576) My Links | Rate | Cached | Visit Free Boat Plans. Free Sailboat Plans Free sailboat plans for more than ten designs from 28 feet to over 60 feet long. (Added: 13-Nov-2013 Hits: 53484) My Links | Rate | Cached | Visit ... Build your own boat of almost any shape and size using free plans Boats come in an infinite number of shapes and sizes. While these plans are not free, they often come from free sources and a little Googling can reveal a free version: Sailboats & Auxiliaries 22′ TO 30′. You can find plans for 20+ foot sailboats that sleep two, built from plywood. How To Build A Sailboat 8 Sailboat Plans. These sailboat plans are not for the novice woodworker. Building a sailboat requires a good knowledge and a lot of experience in woodcraft techniques. For those that are competent woodworkers, the successful completion of the construction of a sailboat can be a great ego trip! Always read the sailboat woodworking plans ... Free Sample Plan Classic wooden boat plans is a collection of established wooden boat designs ranging from the early 1900's to about 1970. Some of our own designs are Banshee, Custom Barrelback 19 and the Deep V inspired by the Donzi Sweet 16, Bantam. Other plans include Chris Craft, Hacker, Gar Wood, Riva, Switzer, ... Free wooden boat plan available . Dory ... All the boat plans on this site. Many free plans Ultra-Light Boat plans. Imagine building a boat that weights less than 30 pounds and even less. Canoe and Kayak plans. Many free plans included. Tenders. Selection of boats suitable as tenders, some free. Many methods of building including stitch and glue, ultralight and strip building. One Sheet Skiff Free Plans 2) Make stem cut bevels at 33 degrees. 3) Attach sides to stem: 4) Build transom and frame: (you will round off the top of the transom after you have attached the sides and gunwales) 5) Attach sides to frame and transom: Test fitting first is a good plan: 6) Cut 1x2 as shown on drawings and install chine logs. Petrel 33 Petrel 33 is the logical evolution of her smaller sister Petrel 28 , with the task to expand the horizons of cruising activity for a 4-6 person crew, raising the bar of onboard comfort, keeping the boat size under the critical (for a homebuilder) size of 34 foot - 10 meters of overall length. A "new classic" looking cruiser, sturdy, with ... Free Boat Plans From "Science and Mechanics" Magazines Plans for Hydroplanes, Sailboats, Inboards, Runabouts, Canoes, Kayaks and many other boats. This is a FREE user supported site. An online library. To contribute just send an "E-mail". There are a few plans that have CAD drawings that users have provided. The few cad files that are available (".dwg" and ".dxf" files) can be viewed and printed ... Free boat plans Boats designed by Gavin Atkin - The Barton skiff, a low powered outboard skiff - get the plans here. The Barton skiff - click on the thumbnail for a larger drawing. Brian King's Barton skiff during construction: See a short video of Brian's boat in action using a 3.5hp outboard at 6knots or so. Note the near complete lack of wake, which should indicate that the boat's working ... Lisa B Good Clearly a boat for sheltered waters. This is one of the 8 detailed drawings included with the free plans. See the full arrangement drawing. The cabin is small but adequate, 9' X 7-6". There's room to set up a fullsized standard double bed, 4'-6" X 6'-6". The galley is compact. The fridge should be an icebox set out on the aft deck. 13 Free Boat Plans You Can Build For Cheap 12- $200 Pontoon Boat. You can build a pontoon boat for $200 with these free boat plans on YouTube. It's a low budget DIY project that uses 55-gallon drums as the floatation device and treated lumber for the decking. Great for fishing or trolling around the lake with a small outboard motor. Plans & Kits Search Plans & Kits. If you're in the market for a boat to build, this directory of Boat Plans & Kits is a fine place to start. And if your company sells plans or kits, we invite you to list your offerings here. There is no charge for listing, but the featured boats must be built of wood. To refine your search of this directory, use quotation marks. How To Build A Boat 250 boat plans that have been created for the individual who truly wants to build his own boat. These plans are detailed, with very high quality drawings and excellent instructions. Canoe plans. Dinghy plans. Houseboat plans. Hydroplane plans. Kayak plans. Motorboat plans. Paddle & Oar Plans. Classic Wooden Boat Plans Classic wooden boat plans is a collection of established wooden boat designs ranging from the early 1900's to about 1970. Some of our own designs are Banshee, Custom Barrelback 19 and the Deep V inspired by the Donzi Sweet 16, Bantam. Other plans include Chris Craft, Hacker, Gar Wood, Riva, Switzer, barrel back, Baby Bootlegger, Flyer, Teaser ... Wooden Boat Plans Westhaven 32. $ 285.00 - $ 300.00 (USD) Build your own sail boat yatch from 9 feet to 63 feet in length. Fully featured wooden boat plans for home construction in Plywood, Steel and Fibre Glass. Plans & Kits Long Steps Plans PDF. MSRP: Now: $220.00. Was: Long StepsFor Long Steps Study Plan PDF, click HEREFor Long Steps Printed Plans, click HERELOA 19'6"Beam 5'7"Draft 3'8"/8"Water ballast 265 lbSail Area 136 sq ftMax load 1056 lb I think that I've mentioned before, that in my plans... MSRP: Now: $220.00. Was: Wood Boat Plans, Wooden Boat Kits and Boat Designs If you see something that you like in my collection, please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am available on the phone at 207-930-9873, or email me at ... Wooden Boat Plans and Boat Kits by Arch Davis. Grace's Tender - More than just a tender, this little dinghy is a fine vessel in her own right. She is a pleasure to row, and ... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht