| Building a boat can be a wonderful way to apply your | | | | 4. After the pieces have been properly joined you will |
| skill and creativity. If this is the first boat you are | | | | now be ready to put on your thickened epoxy. The |
| trying to make then you will likely succeed by | | | | epoxy will be put on the joints of the pieces, hence |
| following an uncomplicated design that doesn't | | | | securing the pieces entirely. If you want to enhance |
| necessitate too much detailing or an excessively | | | | the bonding capability of the epoxy you can use a |
| ambitious budget. However, regardless of the design | | | | light layer of epoxy that has not been thickened on |
| chosen, you should still be able to use your boat. | | | | the sections of plywood initially and then apply the |
| Therefore functionality should be considered in the | | | | thickened epoxy after a couple minutes have passed. |
| overall process. When you have obtained all the | | | | This will give the glued area more strength than the |
| needed tools and materials and have chosen the | | | | wood itself. |
| design you will use, you can commence this very | | | | 5. Allow the epoxy to cure, this means letting it dry |
| exciting and satisfying project. | | | | and set. Once this has been achieved remove the |
| Required Tools | | | | pieces of wire from the plywood and then use |
| * Power drill | | | | fibreglass, tape and more epoxy to fill out the holes |
| * Set square | | | | and stop any leaks. |
| * Steel ruler | | | | 6. After the complete structure has been |
| * Tape measure | | | | constructed you will still have to make your boat |
| * Power jigsaw | | | | water ready. Even if the plywood is has been initially |
| * Power plane | | | | treated it must be painted and coated with a good |
| * Random orbit sander | | | | waterproofing finish. This finish will work as a sealant |
| * Handsaw | | | | and prevent the wood from getting waterlogged. |
| * Hand plane | | | | Before putting on you finish you will need to sand |
| * Hand sanding block | | | | down your boat utilizing your sand paper and/or |
| Required Materials | | | | other power tools to soften the body and edges. To |
| * Marine Plywood or Regular Plywood | | | | achieve this you may use a thin coat of epoxy first |
| * Epoxy | | | | to seal the wood and then apply a coat of standard |
| * Fibreglass | | | | outdoor paint to protect the wood from UV damage. |
| * Paint and/or other Waterproofing treatment | | | | 7. Your boat is now ready for the water. |
| Instructions | | | | Tips and Warnings |
| The method used here is deemed the stitch and glue | | | | The total time to complete this project will vary. You |
| method. It is used to make three dimensional objects | | | | will need to take a break at some point to allow the |
| from two well known materials: plywood and epoxy | | | | epoxy to cure after each application this will take |
| resin. It is not difficult to construct a boat using this | | | | about 5-7 days. However, carrying this out properly is |
| method once you follow the steps precisely. | | | | the only way to ensure that your boat will perform |
| 1. To start cut your sections of plywood in the shape | | | | efficiently. |
| detailed by your design. You will have to use your | | | | Make sure you are using the right safety precautions |
| power tools, hand saw, measuring tape, set square | | | | including wearing a protective mask, safety glasses, |
| and ruler at this point to cut the pieces correctly. The | | | | close weave working clothes and using disposable |
| accuracy of the plywood pieces will give your boat a | | | | plastic gloves. During the sanding and drilling process |
| better look and more stability when it is water bound. | | | | there will be a great deal of dust flying around hence |
| 2. On one of your cut pieces of plywood, drill a few | | | | a particle mask will be vital. In addition the gloves will |
| small holes and space them about 10cm apart. You | | | | make certain that your hands will not come in direct |
| will then do this process with another piece of your | | | | contact with the epoxy, which while not a lethal |
| plywood these holes will match the first ones you | | | | material is best not touched with bare fingers. Of |
| have put in your original section of plywood. | | | | course the glasses will prevent any unforeseeable |
| 3. These two pieces will be joined together by use | | | | injury to the eyes. |
| of copper or plastic cable ties. Ensure you use an | | | | Research different boat designs and opt for a plan |
| adequate length for each hole, to fasten it | | | | based on your extensive research. The easier the |
| effectively. | | | | plan the better. |