46 people want to do this.

build a sailboat


 

How to build a sailboat by DonnieDillon

"Both fun and frustrating."

How I did it: I would love to build a large wooden sailboat one day but thought I should start with baby steps. I first built a canoe with my brother's help. It floated and didn't even leak too much. So I decided it was time to try a sail boat. Now I have no sailing experience at all. In fact I have only ever even been on a sail boat one time. But I was not to be deterred. I looked a LOTS of plans, read LOTS of forums, got LOTS of library books, and then I found PDRacer.com.
The idea of this small simple sailboat was immediately appealing so I began. It took me a long time to complete and even though the boat is now finished it has yet to see the water. I had planned to car-top the boat, but realized now that it is finished that it is too big to car-top without getting a roof rack.
So I am left with some mixed feelings about the boat. I really enjoyed building it and learned a lot while doing it. But now that it is done there are many things that I would change if I were to do it again. Also I have not been able to use it so it is just taking up space in my garage.

Lessons & tips: Everything you need to know to build this little sailboat can be found at PDRacer.com.

Resources: I don't have a lot of advice, tips, or services to offer, but you can look at all my construction photos here.


1 person found this helpful
 

Oct 20, 2008, 08:10AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer


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    spunkymelos

    Untitled 15 months ago

    I’ve purchased the model study plans and set up a website! I am well on the way to building a sailboat!

    www.theaquaknot.com

    That’s my site, and it has my current progress.

    After I finish the sailboat, we are going to circumnavigate the globe!

    Aug 11, 2008, 06:50PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    paulthiel

    Quick and Dirty Sailboat 18 months ago

    I already had an inflatable boat I used for camping and light river trips, etc…

    I went to a place called www.sailboatstogo.com. They have plans to build your own sailboat using an existing inflatable.

    My boat cost something like $170 (12 1/2 foot), but I already had it. I spent about another $150 on parts from the local Home Depot.

    Add in a few evenings of effort after work and today I took my kids for our first sail. It was a blast. The wind was a bit weak today, but it is supposed to pick up tomorrow. We’ve got all day slotted to be on the water.

    May 24, 2008, 07:54PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    beto_miranda

    Building my first boat 19 months ago

    Since October 2007 I have been learning to sail several kinds of boat, such as, radial laser, 420 and Vision RS.
    I love to sail, it is very relaxing, so i have decided to learn how to build a sail boat.
    I have never built any boat, so I will try to explain my experience, my mistakes and everything regarding to build a first boat.

    Apr 16, 2008, 06:25PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    rroma

    Baby steps 20 months ago

    small at first, that should take long enough anyway,
    the whole life thing gets in the way so often

    Apr 07, 2008, 08:05PM PDT | 0 comments


    cdw573

    sailboat 23 months ago

    anyone know of a good step by step way to build your own sailboat

    Jan 06, 2008, 05:57PM PST | 0 comments


    millenniumtree

    Untitled 2 years ago

    Built some pontoons for my canoe to turn it into a Trimaran sailboat.

    Definitely worth doing!

    May 24, 2007, 10:46AM PDT | 0 comments


    jroco

    Suggestions for free boat plans? 3 years ago

    I’m trying to find a set of free Sailboat plans:

    1. GOOD directions (since this will be my first time)
    2. Can hold 2 people
    3. Cheap to build
    4. Light (so I can car top it by myself)
    5. Can be built in my shed (10×10)

    The plans I’ve found so far have been too sketchy for me to feel confident that I can do it.

    Any suggestions?

    -joan

    Aug 20, 2006, 02:01PM PDT | 4 comments



     

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