Posted by TIMMY on September 24, 2002 at 05:23:24:
In Reply to: building a small boat posted by Jon on September 24, 2002 at 03:02:28:
: I have two small boys (ages 7 and 9) that I would like to share a boat building project with.
: I purchased some plans from Clark Craft for a small tunnel hull boat called "UFO 8". I am extremely dissapointed with the plans and the amount I paid for them, $53.00 for 4 sheets. After studying them for over a month I know I could build it, but I have lost confidence that the boat is what I envisioned (and/or will float). It has a 9" transom that is supposed to take a 10 to 15hp motor.
: I am thinking of cutting my losses and trying a different boat. I built a small sail boat years ago and I would like to build a small outboard motor boat project from 8 to 10' in length the kids could drive. I have eyeballed the "Squirt" but I am not sure of the complexity involved... any suggestions would be appreciated.
: Jon
HI, Why not build a type of boat we refer to here in the south as a butthead. It is flat bottom,bottom curves up foward to a flat bow like a john boat. You just get 2 pieces of 1x12 cut the curve up to bow. Place them on edge, on flat surface. Install stern,install bulkhead about 4 feet from bow. Next install keel, then take a cabinet clamp and pull in bow to where you want, center it with the keel. Add some strips from stern to foward bulkhead to add strength to bottom,then lay plywood over hull, bend it down, trace and cut. Then nail the plywood on. And PRESTO, you have a boat. I have seen these built in 1 day.