(Newswire.net — July 10, 2020) — Are you being called by the sea? Have faith. Walking the path of a boat builder is a rewarding and worthwhile life, and yes, it is certainly something achievable.
Whether you’re thinking of your first boat as a step towards the life of being a master boat builder or you’re just looking into creating an interesting one-time woodworking project that floats, the process of building a watercraft remains the same.
Choosing the Boat to Build
There are various factors that one needs to consider when building a boat. These include the overall design of the watercraft, your budget, and the time it would take to finish the project.
Design
There are different types and styles of boats and the level of difficulty in building them varies. Since boat building requires expertise in woodworking and carpentry, we recommend selecting a more modest design if your skills and experience are still quite limited.
More experienced builders, on the other hand, have the privilege of choosing more advanced and elaborate boat types. Keep in mind that your boat’s design will also dictate its sailing performance and accommodation. It’s best to achieve a balance between these two aspects.
Finally, don’t forget to consider external factors in choosing your design, as well. For instance, those located in the Pacific will need a boat with a minimal draft to help in navigating between coral reefs. On the other hand, boats intended to sail the European Canal would definitely need to prioritize strength, making them less prone to being damaged by locks.
Budget
Once you have decided on the right type of boat to construct, the next thing that you would have to determine is your preferred budget. This will dictate the materials and building methods preferable for you.
There are many timber varieties to choose from, and each one costs differently depending on their natural characteristics. Don’t simply rely on the aesthetic of your chosen timber. Prioritize bendability, durability, and element resistance instead.
Timescale
Finally, keep in mind that building a single boat can take several months, sometimes even years. Don’t forget to take your attention and stamina into account. We know a lot of creatives who get uncomfortable when working on a project for too long. Meanwhile, there are certainly others who view this extended timescale as an added charm.
Different Methods of Boat Building
Now, once you have chosen the type of boat you want to build, you can move on to choosing your preferred boat building method.
Getting a Boat Building Kit
The simplest and most convenient way to build a boat is to get a boat building kit. It comes with everything you’ll need for your project, including the sails. All you’ll need, then, are paint and the best tools for your DIY projects.
Many of these kits come with pre cut materials, as well as a detailed manual on how to assemble your boat. Building with a kit helps beginners immensely, especially since it won’t require one to bother with all of the necessary measuring and cutting.
Building From Scratch
We understand how some of you may feel negatively towards boat building kits, as if building with one takes all the fun and challenge away. If that’s the case, you can always build a boat from scratch.
This method grants you the freedom to choose or even create your own blueprint, source your own materials, and explore the limitless possibilities when it comes to design and aesthetics. It definitely won’t be as easy as using a kit, though.
Repairing an Old Vessel
While it’s technically not considered as “boat building,” you can also opt to purchase an old boat and repair it little by little, similar to how you would remodel and refurbish an old home. What’s great about this method is that you’ll have decent bones to work with already. Don’t think that it will be the more affordable route, though. There are cases when getting a kit will prove cheaper in the end.
Register Your Craft
After finally completing your vessel, the only thing left to do is to get it certified and registered. Those who live in the United States can refer to the U.S. Coast Guard. Meanwhile, those who are based in Europe can refer to the regulations of the Recreational Craft Directive (or RCD).
Conclusion
If you’re wondering if you can build your own boat, know that you absolutely can. There are simply different factors that you should consider before doing so, like the type of vessel you want to construct, your budget, and the duration it might take to complete it.
There are two general methods of boat building. You can either purchase a boat building kit (perfect for beginners) or build your own water vessel from scratch (which we only recommend for more seasoned boat builders). Once done, don’t forget to get your craft certified and registered before sailing the waters with it. These legalities are meant for your own protection.