skill set required

[drpud]

Hi

New to the forum and would appreciate some input from the seasoned boat builders. I currently own an 2005 18 'Campion 542 runabout with a small cuddy cabin. A center console would be much better suited to my needs (primarily fishing Lake Erie) and I love the look and layout of the Ocracoke 20. I am a "weekend warrior" carpenter and have completed a number of projects from docks to chicken coops to sheds but never anything as ambitious as a boat. My workshop is well equipped (my wife says spoiled LOL) with table saw, jig/sabre saw, etc and I would be able to get assistance from my son who is a red seal carpenter and cabinet maker if necessary.  I was just wondering whether this would be a suitable project, especially building the frame, for a newbie or if I am nuts for even considering it.

Thanks

Paul

[Alex]

_{Hi Paul,}

_{Have a go. If you are patient and are able to walk away and have a break when feeling frustrated and not flip out like my brother does, it should be no problem.}

_{It doesn't matter how big the project is, you just break it up into lots of little pieces and it shouldn't matter if it's an 8 footer or a 50 footer. I have built 5 boats in the past and my next one is the Coresound 17. I am amazed at how many people are amazed that a home handyman can build such a beautiful boat with all the nice curved bits of timber and so on. It is not difficult as long as you can read and understand the plans, take your time and it should not be too difficult.}

 

_Alex.

[Howard]

You sound like a perfect candidate to build boats. Working with the wood and plywood should come natural for you and you live in an area where you should be able source all the materials locally.

 

Your biggest learning curve will come with working with epoxy. Lots of little tricks to learn, but it is doable. A big concern in building a boat of this size is figuring out how to turn it. Provided you have room and help, that too is doable. 

 

Last part will be fitting her out at the end. You need to have an eye for that sort of thing. Everything from where to put cleats and rails to wiring runs and drains. Like finishing a house. Devil is in the details and a lot of planning has to take place early on to allow for things that won't be seen after the thing is finished. And unless you are going to hire it done, no sub contractors are involved. You have to be the jack of all trades type. If you are able to do that, or just as important, willing to learn what you don't know, there is no reason why you can't do this and do it well.

[PAR]

Welcome to the forum Paul.

 

You'll be the best person to make this decision, but not building will drive you nuts, at least until you try. I'm not sure what stage your disorder is at currently, but you'll find this eventually becomes an obsession, one that can consume your every waking moment, unless you satisfy this "itch". This disease can afflict anyone and it's pretty random when it strikes. Some, like me were genetically doomed at birth, while others can lead seemingly normal lives, until the boat building cloud appears on the horizon. This cloud at first is a lovely, puffy thing, but in fairly short order, becomes an over cast sky, full of dreams and desires that can't be ignored. Most try, at least initially, to brush aside this silly notion and this is the first sign of the problem. If you continue to let this disease fester, severe complications can result, so early diagnose is necessary, if your sanity is to be kept intact and loved ones kept aboard your ship.

 

Fortunately, you've recognized an issue is afoot and acceptance is the first step. Go ahead and say it, "I'm a boat builder". Come on, it's just some dumb words, let it out, you'll feel better, trust me.

 

Lastly, welcome to the 12 step program for people like you. You're in good company here, as we all understand and have too struggled with this affliction, for many years (decades). You're not a bad person, you just have a problem. It's okay and there's a cure too . . .

[drpud]

Thanks everyone. Genetically doomed ! That finally explains it ! My wife just thinks I'm hyperactive cause I never sit still LOL. I have to finish a pergola and some barnboard picture frames first but then pitter-patter lets get at 'er. It will be perfect to start this fall and I've found a good source of marine plywood about an hour away as you mentioned Howard.

Thanks

Paul

[Tom Lathrop]

Boat building is a bit like the Frankenstein gambit.  You start with seemingly dead material that when finished sometimes comes to life.  Part of my life is as a woodworker designing and making all kinds of things like a house, furniture, toys and other smaller bits as well as boats.  Only the boats seem to come to life though and are more addictive to the surprised and unsuspecting worker.  No boat of the size of the Ocracoke 20 is a trivial building project and the OK20 is more so than many of B&B's other offerings.  Still, as others infer, all boats, even bigger ones are just the accumulation of many smaller tasks that can be taken one at a time.  The main qualification needed to build a boat or any other complex project is not skill, although a modest amount of that is needed as well.  The main things needed are patience and commitment which sounds a lot like the requirements for a successful marriage.  If you can look at a  plan and are willing to study it until comprehension of what the designer intended comes to light, anyone can build a boat.  That much of the most complex parts of the process is already completed makes the one available even more attractive to a beginner.

 

The OK20 is a very nice vessel that will be an outstanding performer as well as the one everyone looks at in a crowd of boats.  There are very few plans of  such small boats available and none with the pedigree of the Ocracoke 20 that is designed by one who has actually designed several full sized Carolina Offshore Fishermen and knows what makes them successful.

[Scott Dufour]

The first step is admitting you have a problem.

Then admit you're powerless over it.

Then order the plans, and trust in your higher power-tools.

[Joe Anderson]

You could jump right in and build the Ocracoke 20. Or you could build one of Grahams small skiffs. This would allow you to test your skill set, build some epoxy skills, and get an idea of the time involved.

[Chick Ludwig]

You would have no problem completing the Ocracoke 20. Just take one step at a time until done! Grahams plans are very complete, and you have the gang on this forum.

 

But Joe has a really good suggestion about building something smaller first. How about a canoe, or Catspaw dinghy? It would be fun to pull a sailing dink behind your Catspaw to play in while at anchor in some gunk hole. Maybe a Jesse would be even better--a little motor or electric to poke up into those interesting little creeks. the Jesse would probably tow better at planing speeds, too. Many of us stared this way, and worked our way up to the bigger boats.

 

Of course Noah went right straight to the BIG one--the Ark......but he had divine help!

[Randy Jones]

Paul,

enyoyed your post.  "Pitter-Patter" would make a fine boat name.

[Fishman38]

Paul, my situation was similar to yours except don't have a carpenter son, when I started my OC20 about the first of April.  I'm a jack-of-all- trades, master of none type, mostly home remodeling etc.  Family matters and a fishing trip took me away from the build for about a month so I'm really just getting started with the bottom framing up, the transom installed, and the two 1/2" aft bottom panels plus the first two feet of 1/4" laminate just finished today. Hopefully I've got a couple of uninterrupted months of work ahead.  So far I love the project.  Have spent a lot of time sitting staring at it trying to work out how to take the next step but things have gone fairly well.  The guys on this forum have been very helpful, especially Miyot who is several weeks ahead of me with his OC24 and following his posts has been invaluable and maybe a little intimidating.  A real craftsman.  As for building a smaller boat I considered that but decided that at my age (75) I may not have time to build two!

 

Hope this helps!

 

Jerry

[Miyot]

Paul, my situation was similar to yours except don't have a carpenter son, when I started my OC20 about the first of April.  I'm a jack-of-all- trades, master of none type, mostly home remodeling etc.  Family matters and a fishing trip took me away from the build for about a month so I'm really just getting started with the bottom framing up, the transom installed, and the two 1/2" aft bottom panels plus the first two feet of 1/4" laminate just finished today. Hopefully I've got a couple of uninterrupted months of work ahead.  So far I love the project.  Have spent a lot of time sitting staring at it trying to work out how to take the next step but things have gone fairly well.  The guys on this forum have been very helpful, especially Miyot who is several weeks ahead of me with his OC24 and following his posts has been invaluable and maybe a little intimidating.  A real craftsman.  As for building a smaller boat I considered that but decided that at my age (75) I may not have time to build two!

 

Hope this helps!

 

Jerry

Thats it.  I've had enough.  Fishman 38, I'm adding you to my friends list.  A real craftsman, now that is funny.  Made me laugh.

[Fishman38]

 

 A real craftsman, now that is funny.  Made me laugh.

OK Miyot, maybe it was the helper(s?) I saw in some of your pictures, or maybe you're just crafty with the camera, but the pictures sure make it look like craftsmanship!

J