subject: Small Sailboat Plans- How to Choose the Right Material [print this page] Small Sailboat Plans- How to Choose the Right Material
Your first thought may be that you don't need to worry about what you build your sailboat from until after you have purchased your plans. The truth, however, is that you should choose what material you are going to use before selecting your small sailboat plans because each material may require a different set of plans.
There are three main options for materials to build your boat from: fiberglass, marine plywood and natural wood. This article will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Fiberglass
The great thing about fiber glass is that it can be made to form nearly any shape. It's very light and very durable against dings and bangs. Unlike marine plywood or natural wood, if you are using fiberglass, you build forms over which the fiberglass is laid to gain its form. As you can see, the skill set for working with fiberglass is different than that required for working with wood or plywood.
Although fiberglass is durable, if it is damaged, it could require a big job to repair or replace. The reason for this is that, when finished, fiberglass makes the entire hull one piece and may require complete replacement instead of just a patch.
Marine Plywood
Marine plywood is common choice of material. It can be more expensive than fiberglass, but less expensive than natural wood. It is strong and generally available.
Marine plywood is similar to regular plywood but it has more stringent quality requirements. Working with marine plywood in the shop is essentially the same as working with regular plywood, so if you are familiar with working with plywood, working with marine plywood will not be foreign to you.
Marine plywood requires a complete sealing against the elements. If it is exposed to water, the small strips of wood can wafer and weaken requiring replacement. Following the instructions in your small sailboat plans should prevent this from being an issue.
Natural Wood
Natural wood is by far the most pleasing material to look at. The grain patterns available from different species and the endless colors available naturally, or with staining makes the options for wood limitless.
Wood is more expensive than any other material, however, experienced sailors say they can feel the difference when sailing and that difference makes the extra expense a small price to pay.
Maintenance on a natural wood boat will likely require only replacement of the wood which is easier than some of the other options.
You will enjoy your boat project most if you select the material that is best for your needs and then select the small sailboat plans that are designed for that material. To see how to select the right plans for you, click small sailboat plans.
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