I have a 10HP 1947 Mercury Lighting outboard motor and want to build a light boat that will seat four people. I will need to buy the materials but am not sure what is best to buy for light weight yet still strong. Does anyone have any sugestions?
2006-11-26 11:24:09 · 7 answers · asked by Fletcher T 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
If you're looking for something authentic to go along with the patina of this engine, I'd suggest wood since that's what kind of boat it was probably used on when new. Also there are many good articles and plans available for building small wooden boats, and most can be built with common hand tools/woodworking equiptment.
2006-11-26 16:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by Juffalo Jim 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
From what I've seen after over a decade of repair/retrofitting/building boats... Plywood boats are sometimes coated with epoxy, usually they've had a fiberglass skin put on over the wood. I've never seen a traditionally planked boat with an epoxy coating - swelling is part of the strategy with traditional planking. We've just finished the third complete bottom replacement that I've been a part of. We cold molded it. We replaced all the ribs, shored 'er into the proper shape and started laying planks. One layer of planks at a 45 degree angle with another layer 90 degrees from that (45 degrees the other direction) and a last layer fore/aft. (I always wanted to do 4 layers with the first being fore/aft). Each layer is epoxied on top of the last one, essentially making a plywood hull. The wood is encapsulated in epoxy. Extremely strong! One of the boats we cold molded hit the rocks hard six times (70ish foot Sparkman and Stevens - owner said it sounded and felt like two locomotives colliding) and they were sure it was a catastrophe. The keel bent... that's it. I'd have to see the particular boat to give a semi-decent answer... done babbling now. Later edit: Sorry "What sort of epoxy?" West System seems to be the standard (has passed the test of time), though there are many options. From what I can see of that boat it looks worth the price... gotta dig into the bugger for a better idea.
2016-03-12 23:32:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your a bit optimistic. By the time you finish this project you will have made a great mess, spent LOTS in fiberglass, resin, filler, and gelcoat. Time in making a mold..its just crazy. you can hunt for a bargin on a 7-10 foot aluminum boat for around a couple hundred dollars. even if it leaks or is dented, you obviously have ambition, get a hammer and a dolly, some 3m marine silicone and maybe some rivits and play body man. have fun.
2006-11-27 05:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by dukes 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on how comfortable you are working with the materials in question, and if you have the equipment, ie molds, jigs etc.. I built a small yankee pine skiff, using planks. It is 12ft loa, and I covered it with fiberglass. If I build another one I will do glass over marine plywood. As for the engine, make sure she is stoutly built at the stern. It is also wise to buy a nice set of plans.
2006-11-26 12:07:26 · answer #4 · answered by nytugcapt 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Diy Stepbystep Woodworking Course : http://www.WoodWorkingsHappy.com
2015-08-11 17:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by Alec 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fiberglass is always a good choice for building a small boat but sheetmetal is the best choice though if you are building it fiberglass is the best choice.
2006-11-26 11:29:56 · answer #6 · answered by a_playa04 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
3D Boat Design Software - http://BoatPlans.NaturallyGo.com/?YOy
2016-04-02 07:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋