Ok. I live in a small coastal town in New England where the Dory was
invented (at least that is what I have read). Ever since we moved here, I
have wanted a boat. But we really can't afford one. It is very low on the
financial needs list. But I have two kids (5 and 7 yr old) and I think it
would be great to have them grow up sailing with me and maybe even on their
own. But enough with the hopes and dreams....

A little background on potentially pertinent skills...I did some sailing as
a teen in a tiny sailboat called a Laser (??) and I loved it but only had
the chance a few times. My woodworking/building experiences consist of shop
class in 8th grade and 3 years of drafting class in high school. These days
I do not own any power saws. Once in a blue moon I might pick up my hand
saw and cut a 2x4 for some reason. As for other experiences, I majored in
and taught high school physics. Eventually, I found myself in a computer
tech job.

I have been trawling the internet for plans, advice, building materials
costs, building journals, etc. I actually started this little obsession 2
years ago but then it went away for a while. My wife is not sold in this
idea at all. Anyway, this is what information I've got so far:

-The boat has got to have an LOA of 17' or less. I want to build it in my
garage and keep it there for storage (haven't considered the length of a
trailer though). It is a two car garage and is 17'10" in length. One of
the doors is 5'10" in height, and 7'8" in width.
-I want the boat to hold two adults and 2 kids.
-I want a sailboat not a powerboat.
-I think I should build a small boat first.
-I also think it should be a plywood boat. I would prefer the first boat use
less than 6 sheets of 8'x4' plywood. It looks like the initial big cost
will be in buying plywood sheets and around here that looks like $50 a sheet
for marine ply. So if I could do this with 4 sheets to start the first
boat, then if my wife saw me build a cool boat with 4 sheets, then I could
go bigger in the years to come. (At least it sounds like a good plan...)
-I realize the sail will also cost. So, adding oars to the first small boat
might be the way to go and experimenting with plastic tarp material for
cheap.
-Plans I have considered for the first little boat:
*Some of stevenprojects.com plans
(http://www.stevproj.com/SailDingh.html) as well as the 11' skipjack
Stevenson published an a book in the 70's Sailboats You Can Build.
*Optimist Dinghy (http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-intro.html)
*Canoe (but I do not think I want to do this one since I couldn't
sail it) - http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm

-Plans I have considered for the bigger boat:
*Weekender http://www.stevproj.com/PocketYachts.html
*Bolger's Micro - This one seemed better then the Weekender
http://www.boatdesign.com/micro/
*Sztrandek (probably not a good one since the plans are free and
there will be no support)
http://www.zeglarstwo.3miasto.pl/sztraeng/sztrengl.html

Please comment and advise. I am looking for boat plan recommendations,
similar experiences, tips, tricks, help with making it cheap,

--Jim B.

"Jim B." wrote:
snip the background


-The boat has got to have an LOA of 17' or less. I want to build it in my
garage and keep it there for storage (haven't considered the length of a
trailer though). It is a two car garage and is 17'10" in length. One of
the doors is 5'10" in height, and 7'8" in width.
-I want the boat to hold two adults and 2 kids.
-I want a sailboat not a powerboat.
-I think I should build a small boat first.
-I also think it should be a plywood boat. I would prefer the first boat use
less than 6 sheets of 8'x4' plywood. It looks like the initial big cost
will be in buying plywood sheets and around here that looks like $50 a sheet
for marine ply. So if I could do this with 4 sheets to start the first
boat, then if my wife saw me build a cool boat with 4 sheets, then I could
go bigger in the years to come. (At least it sounds like a good plan...)
-I realize the sail will also cost. So, adding oars to the first small boat
might be the way to go and experimenting with plastic tarp material for
cheap.


Why not build a dory first? My father in law (very limited skills) builds
classic double ended Dorys all the time. He even has a sail kit for them.

I have one of these w/o sails that I use to get out to my mooring here on Cape
Crud. I row out with 2 adults and 2 small children (5 & 2). I keep it on the
beach w/o oars.

You can email me in private for more info if you want.

tailgunner at nbrigham.com


--
Tailgunner
http://boat.nbrigham.com

Well, for starters...

http://agott.hypermart.net/101main.html

some basics on wooden boat construction.

http://hometown.aol.com/polysail/HTML/oldboats.htm

A source of various older designs for smaller wooden boats.
Varied from about 10 to 20 feet. You might find something
you like there.

Good luck, and Happy Holidays!

Chris

"Jim B." writes:
Ok. I live in a small coastal town in New England where the Dory was
invented (at least that is what I have read). Ever since we moved here, I
have wanted a boat. But we really can't afford one. It is very low on
the
financial needs list. But I have two kids (5 and 7 yr old) and I think it
would be great to have them grow up sailing with me and maybe even on
their
own. But enough with the hopes and dreams....

The above says it all.

If you want those kids to go sailing before they are adults, BUY a boat and
find a 2nd job to help pay for it.

Just the observation of someone who is building a boat.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

Another option. If you go up and down the coast, you might be able to find
an abandoned boat to refurbish. Not sure about up there, but in various
coastal areas you might find a boat with a hole below waterline, or similar
defect that could return the boat to operating condition with minor work.

Once saw a perfectly good jetski sitting here on our beach, only needed
minor engine repairs.

You'd be surprised what some people throw away.

Check here for plans
http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local/...g=019&cart_id=


"Jim B." wrote in message
news:m8iGb.445165$Dw6.1352034@attbi_s02...
Ok. I live in a small coastal town in New England where the Dory was
invented (at least that is what I have read). Ever since we moved here, I
have wanted a boat. But we really can't afford one. It is very low on
the
financial needs list. But I have two kids (5 and 7 yr old) and I think it
would be great to have them grow up sailing with me and maybe even on
their
own. But enough with the hopes and dreams....

A little background on potentially pertinent skills...I did some sailing
as
a teen in a tiny sailboat called a Laser (??) and I loved it but only had
the chance a few times. My woodworking/building experiences consist of
shop
class in 8th grade and 3 years of drafting class in high school. These
days
I do not own any power saws. Once in a blue moon I might pick up my hand
saw and cut a 2x4 for some reason. As for other experiences, I majored in
and taught high school physics. Eventually, I found myself in a computer
tech job.

I have been trawling the internet for plans, advice, building materials
costs, building journals, etc. I actually started this little obsession 2
years ago but then it went away for a while. My wife is not sold in this
idea at all. Anyway, this is what information I've got so far:

-The boat has got to have an LOA of 17' or less. I want to build it in my
garage and keep it there for storage (haven't considered the length of a
trailer though). It is a two car garage and is 17'10" in length. One of
the doors is 5'10" in height, and 7'8" in width.
-I want the boat to hold two adults and 2 kids.
-I want a sailboat not a powerboat.
-I think I should build a small boat first.
-I also think it should be a plywood boat. I would prefer the first boat
use
less than 6 sheets of 8'x4' plywood. It looks like the initial big cost
will be in buying plywood sheets and around here that looks like $50 a
sheet
for marine ply. So if I could do this with 4 sheets to start the first
boat, then if my wife saw me build a cool boat with 4 sheets, then I
could
go bigger in the years to come. (At least it sounds like a good plan...)
-I realize the sail will also cost. So, adding oars to the first small
boat
might be the way to go and experimenting with plastic tarp material for
cheap.
-Plans I have considered for the first little boat:
*Some of stevenprojects.com plans
(http://www.stevproj.com/SailDingh.html) as well as the 11' skipjack
Stevenson published an a book in the 70's Sailboats You Can Build.
*Optimist Dinghy (http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-intro.html)
*Canoe (but I do not think I want to do this one since I couldn't
sail it) - http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm

-Plans I have considered for the bigger boat:
*Weekender http://www.stevproj.com/PocketYachts.html
*Bolger's Micro - This one seemed better then the Weekender
http://www.boatdesign.com/micro/
*Sztrandek (probably not a good one since the plans are free and
there will be no support)
http://www.zeglarstwo.3miasto.pl/sztraeng/sztrengl.html

Please comment and advise. I am looking for boat plan recommendations,
similar experiences, tips, tricks, help with making it cheap,

--Jim B.






---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.553 / Virus Database: 345 - Release Date: 18/12/2003

What about http://www.boatplans-online.com/prod....php?prod=CV16 or
something similar? The Caravelle type of boat sounds right down your alley,
and it's easy to build since it's stitch-n-tape (common tools, common
skills).

Brian

--
My boat project: http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass


"Jim B." wrote in message
news:m8iGb.445165$Dw6.1352034@attbi_s02...
Ok. I live in a small coastal town in New England where the Dory was
invented (at least that is what I have read). Ever since we moved here, I
have wanted a boat. But we really can't afford one. It is very low on
the
financial needs list. But I have two kids (5 and 7 yr old) and I think it
would be great to have them grow up sailing with me and maybe even on
their
own. But enough with the hopes and dreams....

A little background on potentially pertinent skills...I did some sailing
as
a teen in a tiny sailboat called a Laser (??) and I loved it but only had
the chance a few times. My woodworking/building experiences consist of
shop
class in 8th grade and 3 years of drafting class in high school. These
days
I do not own any power saws. Once in a blue moon I might pick up my hand
saw and cut a 2x4 for some reason. As for other experiences, I majored in
and taught high school physics. Eventually, I found myself in a computer
tech job.

I have been trawling the internet for plans, advice, building materials
costs, building journals, etc. I actually started this little obsession 2
years ago but then it went away for a while. My wife is not sold in this
idea at all. Anyway, this is what information I've got so far:

-The boat has got to have an LOA of 17' or less. I want to build it in my
garage and keep it there for storage (haven't considered the length of a
trailer though). It is a two car garage and is 17'10" in length. One of
the doors is 5'10" in height, and 7'8" in width.
-I want the boat to hold two adults and 2 kids.
-I want a sailboat not a powerboat.
-I think I should build a small boat first.
-I also think it should be a plywood boat. I would prefer the first boat
use
less than 6 sheets of 8'x4' plywood. It looks like the initial big cost
will be in buying plywood sheets and around here that looks like $50 a
sheet
for marine ply. So if I could do this with 4 sheets to start the first
boat, then if my wife saw me build a cool boat with 4 sheets, then I
could
go bigger in the years to come. (At least it sounds like a good plan...)
-I realize the sail will also cost. So, adding oars to the first small
boat
might be the way to go and experimenting with plastic tarp material for
cheap.
-Plans I have considered for the first little boat:
*Some of stevenprojects.com plans
(http://www.stevproj.com/SailDingh.html) as well as the 11' skipjack
Stevenson published an a book in the 70's Sailboats You Can Build.
*Optimist Dinghy (http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-intro.html)
*Canoe (but I do not think I want to do this one since I couldn't
sail it) - http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm

-Plans I have considered for the bigger boat:
*Weekender http://www.stevproj.com/PocketYachts.html
*Bolger's Micro - This one seemed better then the Weekender
http://www.boatdesign.com/micro/
*Sztrandek (probably not a good one since the plans are free and
there will be no support)
http://www.zeglarstwo.3miasto.pl/sztraeng/sztrengl.html

Please comment and advise. I am looking for boat plan recommendations,
similar experiences, tips, tricks, help with making it cheap,

--Jim B.

"Brian D" wrote in message
news:y3lGb.649504$Fm2.576276@attbi_s04...

My boat project: http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

If nothing else, I salute you for merging tongue and ass into a new word.

;-)

Thanks! Haha ...no really, I'll be using this boat in SE Alaska (or so I
intend). ALL of SE Alaska is the Tongass National Forest and where the
Tongass natives come from. Hence the name. I must admit though, that I
sometimes wonder if I shouldn't use a different name ...I'm sure I'll hear
the same remark again (although you win the prize for being the first to say
it out loud...)

Brian

"Chris" wrote in message
. com...

"Brian D" wrote in message
news:y3lGb.649504$Fm2.576276@attbi_s04...

My boat project: http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

If nothing else, I salute you for merging tongue and ass into a new word.

;-)

Jim:

Here's another lead - Chesapeake Light Craft. Their specialty is
kayaks but they also make some rowing and sailing craft. Very much
geared to the first time builder. They use the "stitch and glue"
method of construction - a great way to get started. Check out this
little sailing pram -
http://www.chesapeakelightcraft.com/...stportpram.php

Eric

"Jim B." wrote in message news:m8iGb.445165$Dw6.1352034@attbi_s02...
Ok. I live in a small coastal town in New England where the Dory was
invented (at least that is what I have read). Ever since we moved here, I
have wanted a boat. But we really can't afford one. It is very low on the
financial needs list. But I have two kids (5 and 7 yr old) and I think it
would be great to have them grow up sailing with me and maybe even on their
own. But enough with the hopes and dreams....

A little background on potentially pertinent skills...I did some sailing as
a teen in a tiny sailboat called a Laser (??) and I loved it but only had
the chance a few times. My woodworking/building experiences consist of shop
class in 8th grade and 3 years of drafting class in high school. These days
I do not own any power saws. Once in a blue moon I might pick up my hand
saw and cut a 2x4 for some reason. As for other experiences, I majored in
and taught high school physics. Eventually, I found myself in a computer
tech job.

I have been trawling the internet for plans, advice, building materials
costs, building journals, etc. I actually started this little obsession 2
years ago but then it went away for a while. My wife is not sold in this
idea at all. Anyway, this is what information I've got so far:

-The boat has got to have an LOA of 17' or less. I want to build it in my
garage and keep it there for storage (haven't considered the length of a
trailer though). It is a two car garage and is 17'10" in length. One of
the doors is 5'10" in height, and 7'8" in width.
-I want the boat to hold two adults and 2 kids.
-I want a sailboat not a powerboat.
-I think I should build a small boat first.
-I also think it should be a plywood boat. I would prefer the first boat use
less than 6 sheets of 8'x4' plywood. It looks like the initial big cost
will be in buying plywood sheets and around here that looks like $50 a sheet
for marine ply. So if I could do this with 4 sheets to start the first
boat, then if my wife saw me build a cool boat with 4 sheets, then I could
go bigger in the years to come. (At least it sounds like a good plan...)
-I realize the sail will also cost. So, adding oars to the first small boat
might be the way to go and experimenting with plastic tarp material for
cheap.
-Plans I have considered for the first little boat:
*Some of stevenprojects.com plans
(http://www.stevproj.com/SailDingh.html) as well as the 11' skipjack
Stevenson published an a book in the 70's Sailboats You Can Build.
*Optimist Dinghy (http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-intro.html)
*Canoe (but I do not think I want to do this one since I couldn't
sail it) - http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm

-Plans I have considered for the bigger boat:
*Weekender http://www.stevproj.com/PocketYachts.html
*Bolger's Micro - This one seemed better then the Weekender
http://www.boatdesign.com/micro/
*Sztrandek (probably not a good one since the plans are free and
there will be no support)
http://www.zeglarstwo.3miasto.pl/sztraeng/sztrengl.html

Please comment and advise. I am looking for boat plan recommendations,
similar experiences, tips, tricks, help with making it cheap,

--Jim B.