The future of timber boat construction

[studentUK]

Dear all members, Please help me if possible!!

For my final year dissertation in my YACHT MANUFACTURING AND SURVEYING degree my topic is a study into the FUTURE OF TIMBER BOAT CONSTRUCTION IN THE SMALLCRAFT INDUTRY.

The aim of this is to look into the industry, the history, the current situation (methods used, materials, tools, costs involved etc) and then into where the future lies and how if possible the use of modern materials and technology (CAD-CAM etc) can improve the situation, the time and costs involved with building a wooden boat so that we can all see more timber boats on the water.

If any one has any revolutionary ideas, information on advanced techniques or absolutely anything that you think might be relevant to me or your personal views on this matter, please please reply.

my e-mail is angus405@hotmail.com

I really need some specific information on labour times and costs involved with the different aspects of the build. And where possible the equivalent in other materials as part of a cost comparison.

I'm looking at avarage size boats of any type of timber construction.

Many many thanks for any assistance that is offered.

Please contact me you need any other details.

From a desperate student! :confused:

[hikingchrs]

I believe the distant future of boat building is traditional boat building...lapstrake carvel ect.
I believe as the supply of fancy plywood dwindals
that the amount of stitch and glue, and cold moulding will decrease... I also believe that after the sources of cheap crude oil are exhusted so will be the supply of epoxy for Fiberglass, and stitch and glue, and cold moulding
Chris

[ 04-12-2005, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: hikingchrs ]

[Charles Burgess]

Here I'll give you a flat rate per hour in terms of lbs of displacement of the finished boat:

Skilled professional boatbuilders, using traditional methods, can build 15 lbs per hour.

A skilled amateur can build 10 lbs per hour.

A amateur who is building their first boat...5 lbs per hour. At about half way through the build process the amateur will find that he has enough experience to increase the rest at 10 lbs per hour.

Take the total displacement and divide by the above rate, and you'll find how many man hours it will take to build nearly any wooden boat.