Thread: New Boat Project?

I've been pondering making a ply stitch and glue type of boat for a few years now. I just want to make one. Now I am impressed with the plastic fantastic kayaks for wear resistance and would like to make a little dory but out of either UHMWPE or maybe just HDPE and weld it together. Something in the 15'-17' region and put a 15-30HP outboard on the back. Spira International Inc - Kachemak V-Bottom Carolina Dory

What do you reckon for a holiday break project?

Stitch and glue specific designs are generally easy to build, but take a lot longer than you expect if you want a good finish rather than a rough and ready.
Making it out of UHMWPE sounds interesting you'd want a good plastic welder for it though.

What about a clinker-built hull? Something to bring out your inner craftsmanship... or to make you cut your wrists out of frustration.

I would have thought uhmwpe would have been a bit soft/heavy for a boat build?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I would have thought uhmwpe would have been a bit soft/heavy for a boat build?

It is lighter than water, very abrasion/impact resistant, and very slippery through water. It is slightly lower density than HDPE according to the specs I've found but HDPE seems to be about half the price.

Here is a jet with HDPE.

Seems it's already been done too.

Seem to work alright.

I wonder if they go all floppy in the sun like truck deck liners ?

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Seem to work alright.

I wonder if they go all floppy in the sun like truck deck liners ?

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The kayak doesn't. I'd avoid black.

I think this project may be a goer. What sort of layout? Tiller or centre console, there seem to be bugger all 30HP's around with remotes.? Might aim for about 4m length and a sort of pontoon hybrid. Maybe extend the pontoons aft of the transom to help keep the arse end up when stationary and hanging over the back?

A clean bum is more efficient.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

A clean bum is more efficient.

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The materials are very slippery and would lend themselves well to smooth lines.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

The materials are very slippery and would lend themselves well to smooth lines.

What I mean is planeing hulls need a clean exit ie a square edge or the water follows it and the hull "sucks" onto the water....early pontoon designes with rounded pontoons sticking aft of the transom needed disproportionately high horsepower.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

What I mean is planeing hulls need a clean exit ie a square edge or the water follows it and the hull "sucks" onto the water....early pontoon designes with rounded pontoons sticking aft of the transom needed disproportionately high horsepower.

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That makes sense. I think they changed to a stepped pontoon sticking out the back.

I'm thinking also of smoother lines, rather than corners, at the front end too.

Hey gadget, something like that would suit you more

That just wouldn't do at all. I'd want my ginga next to me, not half a block away.