subject: Choosing to Build a Wooden Sailboat [print this page] Wooden boat building is much more than just the necessity for commerce and trade it was in the past. The craftsmanship and care that goes into building a quality wooden sailboat has created a wide spread niche in the field for blue water veterans and hobbyists alike who share a love for finely crafted vessels. There are literally thousands of kits and plans available, many from noted naval architects and reputable engineers, from six foot skiffs to full blown ships sixty feet in length and longer.
When choosing a method for building any wooden boat, always be sure to do your homework. Properly researching plans so that you end up meeting the exact requirements and specifications necessary for the correct rigging, fittings and fasteners, and precise engine placement and installation if you intend to include alternate power, can and will save you load of time, money and hassle farther down the road. It is also a good idea to go down to the nearest marina and boatyard to learn helpful tricks and tips from the locals; a lot of information can be gleaned from just casual conversations with people who have experience with wooden boat building and a wealth of knowledge to pass along.
A smaller sailboats wooden hull can be an exiting challenge for the amateur, able to be completed in as little as three or four weeks, and for the experienced a yacht for more serious sailing can keep you busy for as much as a year or two. Design options are unlimited, with detailed plans for sloops, ketch's, cutters, and even yawls. Multi-hulls like trimarans and catamarans are not out of the question either, and many wooden sailboat enthusiasts enjoy the creativity and challenge of constructing runabouts, rowboats, and outrigger sailing canoes.
High quality, marine grade wood, and materials are necessary for the safety and integral security of your wood boat project. Strip plank, molded ply or a combination are the main methods most commonly used in building wooden sailboats. Douglas Fir, Teak, Sitka Spruce, and Mahogany are all sturdy, excellent species of wood perfectly suited for the unique needs of wooden watercraft. White Oak and Yellow Pine are also superior choices.
Approach your project with the right frame of mind, setting your goals according to the amount of time, money, and materials you will need to be able to put in. Special consideration should be given to ballast and keel design to maximize stability and function on the water to keep your vessel afloat and sailing adjustments working accurately.
Boat lovers are guaranteed to find modern performance and an ageless, elegant feel from a sailboats wooden hull and decks, and will take pride in having finely crafted it themselves. If you have been looking into a wood boat or sailboat for a while, then now is the time to start hunting for your perfect blue water treasure.
Choosing to Build a Wooden Sailboat
By: Greg St.Clair
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