Float Your Boat
Imagine a boat that is easy to build, transport and store. Follow these easy instructions to make a take-apart skiff for rowing, fishing, or just plain relaxing.
June/July 2001
Story and Illustrations by Will Shelton
When it wasn't in use, the boat rested beside the garage under a leaky tarp. As time went by, the plywood delaminated and the glue let go until it was beyond restoring. Fortunately, I took its dimensions so that I could recreate it, and now so can you.
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If you use the best material, like stainless steel fasteners and epoxy, this little skiff will give last you many years. These materials do cost a little more, but the boat will last years longer. Obtain and study literature from epoxy suppliers before beginning the project. (See sources listed.)
The drawings here are based on dimensions that I took off of the skiff my father built. The boat from my boyhood may be long gone, but its clone has proven just as enjoyable and promises to be the center of summertime memories for years to come.
THE PROCESS
•Construct the assembly jig base; mark a center line on the 18" cross struts ( illo. A ).
•Construct the five frames, including their ribs, mark their center lines and attach a pair of legs to each frame ( illo. B ).
•Bolt frames #3 and 4 together using 1/4 x 3 1/2 stainless-steel machine bolts through the six holes that will later be used to bolt the two boat halves together. Put a 1/4" plywood spacer between the two halves; wrap the spacer with thin plastic before bolting up (to prevent epoxy overrun from sticking to it).
•Screw the two 2x4 legs of the assembly jig to frame #1 (transom). Drywall screws work fine for this.
•Mount frame #
1 to the assembly jig base by securing the 2x4 legs to the jig with screws. Make sure that the center lines match up and that the frame is square and level (A).
•Mount the legs to frame #5 and attach it to the assembly jig base. The cutouts for the bottom plank should line up and be level.
•Attach the bottom plank to frames #1 and 5 (epoxy and stainless-steel screws). It is not necessary to have the stem end of the plank shaped at this time.
•Mount frames #2, 3 and 4 in the assembly jig base (#3 and 4 are together).
•Secure them to the bottom plank, but do not use epoxy on the cross braces of frame #2.
•Build and shape the stem piece, making it longer than its final length will be (lllos. C and I ).
•Temporarily attach the stem piece to the assembly jig (off center).
•Cut the bottom plank to length relative to the intersection of the stem.
•Cut stem to length and mount to the center line.
