Anyone building Oughtred's Elf or Elfin?

[knifemaker]

I am about to start my first boat. I got copies of Oughtred's book and Tom Hill's, Ultralight Boatbuilding book. I would really love advice from people who have done it. Also, if you could email or post pictures of your Elf/Elfin it would make my day.
Thanks,
Josh

[gert]

I did Joel White's Shearwater a few years back, almost identicle to the Elf. The two books mentioned were invaluable. The only reason I chose the SW over the Elf was the price of the plans, but I suspect the elf plans have more "instructions" on them. The only advise I can think of is make 1/8" ply templates of the strakes (I got one set wrong and had to buy another sheet of plywood).

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I don't know if you've seen these Josh. I think they are of the prototype Elfyn, that Iain used to refine the plans. It's traditionally built, not glued lap ply.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p62194151959e598e32d5686fd16fb242/f8643900.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pb48d38f11f5ba4a648e1c93334159cfb/f86438f9.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p3d4db8733e320e3becaabe1fe50ae75f/f86438e8.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pd88d9533be56c0338f9a3afa20bec851/f86438f1.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p120fa671f22ff7563fc32e8b07593a85/f86438fe.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p45ff9b604c7ebf96d8d9e984ec10c030/f86438ec.jpg

Steven

[imported_Steven Bauer]

And here are a couple of Gavin's boat. The project has been stalled, but we hope to get started again soon.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pc3c475c02a4ac96137fb817bed91786b/f8623b9c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/pb764a80ca0613b4f429285b1d438017a/f8623ba2.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p00b84efaa56a3ce49185017ea8a6dff8/f8623ba6.jpg

Steven

[Phil Young]

I've built 2 smaller ones. Iain's Acorn Skiff, and a glued lap canoe that I just kind of knocked together after reading Tom Hill's book. I found Iain's plans very detailed, his full sized patters very easy to use, and the glued lap ply approach very easy, with no real skills before hand except basic handyman. My only tips really would be to be very carefull to get the edges of your planks fair. I did and I reckon my boat looks great. I've seen some with a few wobbles, and they look like crap. And wipe off as much epoxy as you can while its wet- 2 minutes now equals 2 hours with sandpaper when its dry! OH, and if you are going to finish bright, try to keep your joints nice and tight fitting. Epoxy will fill them, but it looks crook. And for the same reason be sparing with epoxy fillets.

[knifemaker]

Thanks guys smile.gif there is some good info there.
Geeze, that traditional one is going to be AWSOME, I am going to stick to ply for now but sure wish I could do something like that!