Boatbuilding Tips and Tricks
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Registering Your Homebuilt Boat Article
Since I've been receiving a few emails with registration questions, I thought I'd write up this article on how to go about registering your homebuilt boat with your State or Province. Though everywhere is a bit different, the basics apply to most US States Canadian Provinces, and other Western countries. It is something you should be familiar with while you're building your boat. You don't want to be surprised when you go to launch it and find out you need to go back and reconstitute a bunch of paperwork that may take weeks to get.
Registering Your Homebuilt Boat - Article
Also included is this cool free download of a Carpenter's Certificate you can use for your project:
- Jeff
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Sunday, March 25, 2012
Key Largo Construction Photo Essay
I just finished a new construction photo essay for the 24' Key Largo Carolina Dory. Have a look at the pictures of one being built and you can gain a better understanding of how you can do it too. Just download the free pdf format e-book by clicking on the image below. Most of the pictures are from one being built in the Maldives - islands in the Indian Ocean south of India and East of Africa. Some of the others are of a boat built in one of the smaller Philippine Islands, so no excuses that you are too remote get the materials you need to build the boat.
Here's the Key Largo information page: 24' Key Largo Carolina Dory Wooden Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Thurssday, March 22, 2012
New 18' Carolinian Wet
I recently received these pictures of a new 18' Carolinian Carolina style dory that was just launched:
The builder did a beautiful job. Love the wood trim!
Here's the Carolinian information page: 18' Carolinian Carolina Dory Wooden Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
New 19' Hatteras Hits the Water
I just received this email from a builder of a 19' Hatteras V-Botton Dory built in Hawaii:
Jeff,
I wanted to thank you for the great boat plans at an inexpensive price. My new 19’ V-Bottom Carolina Dory works awesome out here in Hawaii. The boat definitely turns heads at the boat ramp. Everyone was shocked that
the boat moves along at 4 knots with my little 4 stroke 3.5horse mercury kicker motor and when I fire up the 40 horse johnson it hauls ass with 4 big guys over 200lbs. The boat doesn’t pound at all going in and
out of the surf in the channel. It definitely shocks the other boaters with the 2 big out boards to see this homemade boat keep up on the way out to the tuna grounds. I never thought I could have a trailer boat
in Hawaii for less than $3,000 that would allow me to go off shore and never burn though 10 gallons of gas for a day of trolling.
Mahalo,
David Eynon
Here's the Hatteras information page: 19' Hatteras V-Botton Dory Wooden Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Monday, March 5, 2012
New Bayou Jubilee Video
Just received notification of this new video of a Bayou Jubilee crossing a wide bay loaded to the gills and mounting a 25 horse outboard.
The builder said it exceeds his expectations!
Here's the Bayou Jubilee information page: Bayou Jubilee 18' Flats Fishing Wood Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Monday, February 27, 2012
Otters Point Builder's Outlook
Just received this email from a builder of an Otter's Point Grand Banks Dory to explore the waterways near his home in the South:
Jeff,
I took my boat out again last week. Snapped this picture, and figured you might be interested in seeing it! It really illustrates what I was looking for in a boat.
I love this little floater, Haha. Have a good one!
Here's the Otters Point information page: Otters Point Grand Banks Dory Wood Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What Size Outboard for Your Homebuilt Boat?
I get questions all the time about maximum and minimum sized outboards for homebuilt boats. These things are rather hard to determine unless you know a lot about the boat, the type of water, and the boat owner's preferences. There are certain guidelines however that you can calculate to determine the maximum power based on both the US and Canadian Coast Guard recommendations.
The Coast Guard calculations are based on boat hull shape, boat length and the boat’s transom width. It is explained in the US Coast Guard’s publication, Safety Standards for Backyard Boat Builders. I provide a link to a pdf file of their publication on the Free E-Books, Videos and Reports page of the Spira International Web Site. In addition to horsepower recommendations, the Safety Standards also include recommended flotation, loading, identification, ventilation, and other safety recommendations for homebuilt boats. It’s a worthwhile read for anyone considering building a boat.
For those who are math challenged, I’ve run the basic calculations for my power boat designs, in a spreadsheet, and also added my recommended power for these designs. You can download a pdf of these calculations here: Boat_Horsepower_Calculation.pdf.
- Jeff
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Sunday, February 12, 2012
Key Largo Coming Together in the Maldives
A new Key Largo 24' Carolina Dory is coming together in the Maldive Islands. In case you don't know, they're in the Indian Ocean near Diego Garcia where an important U.S. military base is located. This part of the world has excellent fishing, and warm tropical climate. I'm sure this Key Largo will serve the owner well and will be perfect for the area.
Here's the Key Largo information page: Key Largo Carolina Dory Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Monday, February 6, 2012
New Otters Point Dory Hits the Water
A New Otters Point 11' Dory has been recently launched. This tough little boat can carry a huge load safely and can be rowed or powered with a light electric or trolling motor. Now this looks like a lot of fun to me:
Here's the Otters Point information page: Otters Point Dory Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Saturday, February 4, 2012
First Pactola Drift Boat Nearing Completion
The first 15' Pactola Midwestern Drift Boat is nearing completion. The builder is a student and has been diligently working on it for over a year. He's doing a very professional job on it and he should be proud of his accomplishments so far:
I absolutely love those seats!
Here's the Pactola information page: Pactola Drift Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Friday, February 3, 2012
New Huntington Harbor Kayak Built from Free Boat Plans
A new Huntington Harbor has been launched. The builder did a very nice job. It was his first boat, too:
He had all sorts of praise about how well the boat handled. I included that second picture to show you that, yes, you can fish from one of these.
Here's the page where you can find out more and download the plans: Huntington Harbor Kayak Free Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Sunday, January 29, 2012
Welded Aluminum 17' Texan Grand Banks Dory Being Built
I just got these pictures of a 17' welded aluminum Texan Grand Banks Dory being built. Thought you'd enjoy:
This one uses the basic wood framing frame size and spacing, but this results in a heavier boat than is really necessary. I'm in the process of re-engineering the hulls to take advantage of the strength of the aluminum so they'll end up lighter, stringer and easier to build than the wood versions. If there's a boat you particularly want in aluminum, let me know. I'm working on a 24' Grand Banks style (the Labrador) and a 28' Cane River versions right now.
- Jeff
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Friday, January 27, 2012
New 20' Caladesi Carolina Dory Build Framing Completed
I designed the Caladesi 8 years ago in 2004 for a builder on the West coast of Florida (Near Caladesi Island) as a bigger Carolina Dory skiff, but smaller than the Key Largo. As far as I know a number have been built but his is the first picture I've seen of one. You can see how simple the framing is for this boat. Anyone with even passing skills at using hand tools can build one, and it'll turn out as a great sea boat and fun and inexpensive project.
Randy Mills is putting this one together and he's obviously doing an excellent job. Thank you very much Randy for the picture. Looks like by Spring it should be ready to head out and have some real fun on the water.
Here's the info page on the Caladesi: 20' Caladesi Carolina Dory Easy-To-Build Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Seneca Power Dory Build and Review
I just got this email and pictures from a 14' Seneca Pacific Power Dory builder:
Jeff,
I ordered the plans to the Seneca back in the late fall and had a completed craft 3 weeks later. Currently i have had it in heavy use and putting it through some paces.
I initially used my 3.5hp 4 stroke to push it for a week and with obvious poor results switched to a 25hp evinrude which provides more than adequate power and usually makes people stare in shock at the speed of the little craft. The craft does not pound as bad as I thought in rough water (I think it is the slight attitude which seems to wedge the chop under the hull as it pushes ahead.)
A few changes. instead of 2x4 frames, I used clear grain white oak 1x3's, eastern red cedar for interior finish to keep weight off and provide a very tolerent species to exposure. wrapped the hull is bs1088 with4 coats of system 3 silver tip in 10oz glass, then coated with a graphite composite then coated the interior and out in PSX 700 (prev from Ameron now at PPG), then shot the exterior in a cranberry metal flake, also clear coated the cedar with psx then psx +awlgrip. Welded frames for the two center seats and rear seating which adds additional support to the transom and freeboard (and keeps the floor space clean and clear, nothing to step over.) I placed a large casting deck at the bow and filled 1/3 floor cavity with floatation foam.
Thanks for the good plans.
Review: boat handles very well, drifts great on the fly down the river and runs across the bigger lakes with confidence, sits atop the water well even in 2-3' swells, comes on plane quickly without too much bow rise and maintains a good attitude, even with a 25hp and me at the transom. & at the local ramp it was hard to get in or out of the water without 10 people coming over to check out the boat had to start adding an additional hour to our day plan. I'll will be taking it to the gulf in March for some Cobia fishing.
The first pic 85% done, 2nd pic is why I built it.
- JOHNATHAN KING
Thank you Jonathan, for the review and pictures. You did a beautiful job there - And in only THREE WEEKS? Wow. Love the interior clear finished red cedar.
Here's the info page on the Seneca: 14' Seneca Pacific Power Dory Easy-To-Build Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
New Hatteras V-Bottom Dory Coming Together
I just received this email from a 19' Hatteras builder along with some pictures:
Good Afternoon Jeff,
Just forwarding you some progress photos of the boat, the 19ft V Bottom Hatteras. This is one solid boat design we expect it to outlast me and my family…
Happy New Year!
Jason MacDougall
Looks like you're doing a great job there Jason!
Here's the info page on the Hatteras: 19' Hatteras V-Botton Dory Easy-To-Build Boat Plans
I love getting your updates and pictures, so keep 'em coming!
- Jeff
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Sunday, January 15, 2012
Major Website Update
I just did a major revision to the website and added many new boats. Be sure to check it out. I also took the flash of the photos off so those of you with iphones and ipads can new see the photos. Your inputs are always appreciated.
Here's the front page: Spira International Easy-To-Build Boat Plans
- Jeff
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Friday, January 6, 2012
New Huntington Harbor Kayak Completed - FREE Boat Plans
Happy New Year everyone! Even though this year is the end of the world according to the Mayans, I'm figuring they just ran out of space when carving that rock.
I recently received this email and picture...
Jeff,
I've been looking at your web site for months now. I built the Huntington Harbor kayak, see the attached picture. Thanks for the free plans.
I am ready to build a power boat. I have decided on the 20' Caladesi power dory.
Randy Mills
New Bern, NC
Great job there Randy. This is one of the nicest Huntington Harbors I've seen! I bet you do a great job on the Caladesi too.
Here's the information page for the Huntington Harbor where you can download the FREE plans: Huntington Harbor Kayak Free Plans
- Jeff
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