4 Vital Pieces of Advice for Novice Boat Builders

As a Master Boat Builder who has practiced this trade for
decades, I can tell you there are certain questions that get
asked frequently, especially by novices. I've compiled 4
questions below; the answers to which offer vital information
every boat builder needs to know.

1. What are the 3 most common boatbuilding mistakes newbies
make?

The first is lofting errors. A mistake occurs when you set out
the wrong dimensions or misread them. Just like with any
construction project, you must constantly double-check yourself.
It's far too easy to get off track right from the start if you
don't pay careful attention when lofting.

The second mistake is cutting errors. After adjusting the lines
you've drawn, you sometimes end up having more than one. Only
one is the right line to cut, however, so if you choose the wrong
line, you could easily make a mistake that would cause you to
start over again. Always make sure you mark the right line
clearly so you won't use the wrong one. Draw an arrow to the
correct line, mark it with a star or with something else that
lets you know which is the line you should cut.

The third mistake comes with assembly errors. Sometimes,
especially with first projects, you get the frames mixed up or
the side and bottom panels turned upside down. Check everything
twice and also step back to visually examine your work.

2. What if my new stitch-and-glue boat leaks?

That's not likely to happen since all seams are glued with
fiberglass tape. The tape will act like the hull of a normal
fiberglass boat and prevent water from leaking through. But if
for some reason your new boat does leak, pull it out of the water
and locate the leak. Dry everything off very well then add an
extra layer of fiberglass tape over the leak. It should be as
good as new!

3. Should I paint or varnish my new boat?

Let's face it: For beginners the best thing to do is paint your
new boat. This is simply because painting is a much more
foolproof method of sealing the wood. In addition, you will be
able to hide small mistakes that occurred during the building
process by simply filling them in and sanding them smooth before
you paint.

However, if you have some woodworking skills and can't imagine
your new boat without stain/varnish, don't hold yourself back. Go
for it!

4. What's the most important tool I need to build my boat?

A good handsaw is the number one tool that makes boatbuilding
much easier. When used correctly you can do a lot of accurate and
beautiful work with it. I have experienced a lot of time as a
boat builder where my favorite handsaw was practically the only
tool in my toolbox.