Advice on First Build

[novice builder]

I am evaluating options for building my first wooden boat and could use some advice on a project that is suitable for a beginner. I am interested in building a day sailer that I can row.

With the exception of one 10-week course at the John Gardner boat school in Mystic (lofting, planking, etc.), I am a true beginner. Based on some on-line research, I was thinking of building a Catspaw Dinghy 12', primarily because there seems to be a wealth of "how to" advice available for this project. Even so, the project calls for a builder with "intermediate" skills.

Can anyone advise on the suitabiliy of this project for a beginner? I had planned to get some supervision from the Woodenboat Workshop in Norwalk, CT but wanted to keep this to a minimum to save money. Can I reasonably tackle this project on my own?

[Venchka]

Originally posted by novice builder:
...

With the exception of one 10-week course at the John Gardner boat school in Mystic (lofting, planking, etc.), I am a true beginner.

Compared to a lot of true novices without any training at all who have produced much larger and more complex boats, you are way ahead of the game. If the Catspaw dinghy is what you really want, go for it!

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I'm with Wayne. Sometimes I wish I'd picked a more difficult design for my first boat. I built John Gardner's 14' sail and row skiff. It's a great boat but a little plain compared to the catspaw or one of Oughtred's designs.

Steven

[JamesD]

Novice,

I'm in the midst of my first build as well. I selected the 16' Fox design Lively from the Wooden Boat plans. The thing I keep running into is ambiguity. The plans are shown as having "moderate" detail. What I really miss, and what I encourage you to seek, is a design for which there are many good detailed pictures of all aspects of the boat. So, whatever design you choose, having a "book" dedicated to building the design with lots of pictures would be a big benefit from my viewpoint.

Something else that could be helpful would be to build a kayak directly from offsets first. I'm thinking about doing so just to gain experience with 1/4" thick planking on something more *expendable* .

Jim ;)

[TomHaven12]

Although not an "easy" boat to build, the Haven 12-1/2 has a good "How To..." book, as well as an excellent web site with extensive information, including photos at all stages of construction from over a dozen fellow amateur builders, and an active "Forum:" http://www.havenbuilders.com

[jboat]

Are you a novice woodworker or builder as well? A lot of what goes into building a wooden boat is just fancy carpentry. If you are handy with tools, know how to work wood and work with wood, can read plans and have some room to work a wood boat is just another project.
Having ten weeks worth fo Gardner training is a pretty good toolkit to begin with.
Build the catspaw.
The Haven is apretty tricky project for a first timer. The haven is a pretty tricky project for anyone.

[paul oman]

Noah did the Ark as a first boat, but that's probably a bit bigger than you want to start with.

But seriously, are you considering stitch and glue, strip, or traditional plank methods?

paul oman
progressive epoxy polymers

[corob]

Arch Davis! I've built 3 of his boats, my first was the Penobscott14 GREAT BOAT very detailed plans and 100+ page instructions and a direct phone number. This is a real way to go, handsome boat, challenging yet easy to do and you will be a true boat builder when your done! Try a course with John Brooks @ Woodenboat School you will learn. www.by-the-sea.com/archdavis (http://www.by-the-sea.com/archdavis)
Corey

[corob]

www.by-the-sea.com (http://www.by-the-sea.com) look under plans and kits and look for Arch Davis. the link in my last post won't get you there, sorry
corey

[novice builder]

Hi All:

Thanks a million for these posts and the great advice. This was my first post to the forum, and I am really thrilled with the response!

Some have asked about my woodworking skills. Virtually non-existent. Also, I should have specified that the 10-week course @ mystic was just one evening a week. I can tell you that my instructor was often amused at the very creative ways I managed to screw things up. In one instance, he said that the mistake I had made confounded the laws of physics, and that despite his many years of experience, he could not even begin to reverse engineer what I had done.

Anyway, I posted this same message on the "design" side by accident, and have received many responses there as well, including concerning the Penobscot 14. I had firmly decided on that one, but another forum member is suggesting a more traditional build in the form of an Atkins camping/sailing skiff. The traditional (non-epoxy) build is appealing, but without expert assistance, I am afraid I won't complete the project.

[JEM]

Originally posted by novice builder:
Hi All:

Thanks a million for these posts and the great advice. This was my first post to the forum, and I am really thrilled with the response!

Some have asked about my woodworking skills. Virtually non-existent. Also, I should have specified that the 10-week course @ mystic was just one evening a week. I can tell you that my instructor was often amused at the very creative ways I managed to screw things up. In one instance, he said that the mistake I had made confounded the laws of physics, and that despite his many years of experience, he could not even begin to reverse engineer what I had done.

Anyway, I posted this same message on the "design" side by accident, and have received many responses there as well, including concerning the Penobscot 14. I had firmly decided on that one, but another forum member is suggesting a more traditional build in the form of an Atkins camping/sailing skiff. The traditional (non-epoxy) build is appealing, but without expert assistance, I am afraid I won't complete the project.Why not start with pirogue or canoe? You can make yourself a small pond boat using inexpensive plywood. If you mess it up, not too much money lost or it's easy to fix.

Matt- JEM Watercraft