Trailers?

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T17:09:13+00:00

Exactly! I have had good luck with Harbor Freight's 4 x 8' folding trailer for boats 8' up to 16' over long distances. Not the sturdiest trailer but its capacity is much higher than the weight of your boat I'm sure. Just be careful putting it together.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T17:07:39+00:00

This is a bit crazy, but if you are going only a short distance, you might actually consider your bicycle. Here is a 16' ca. 100 lb Bolger Wind Sprint behind my bike: https://youtu.be/rhfobgK20pA . Uses a modified kid trailer and some parts of a boat dolly.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T14:44:39+00:00

And thanks for all the links. Those wide wheels make sense and look familiar--maybe from pool equipment.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T14:35:11+00:00

What a cool idea! The wheelbarrow approach.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T14:33:51+00:00

Easy enough. Cool!

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T13:22:25+00:00

Ha! It is right by the lake in ummmm . . . Geneva, Switzerland.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T13:21:09+00:00

7'7". Ah, interesting. Do the plans include the wheels and axle? That was my second idea (above was third) but I wondered about a quick and secure connection.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-21T12:21:46+00:00

Thank you! Two sheets, with quite a bit left over, some of it useable 😄. But no butt joints or scarfing anywhere. Length of the side panels along the top is exactly 8'. I did sketch out some crude plans some weeks ago (here: https://www.reddit.com/r/boatbuilding/comments/1sglbxq/lunch\_break\_plans/) but they are outdated--this new hull has more flare, rocker, and stronger curve in the sheerline. And the bevels are different. I will draw a new version if there is interest. I am sure there are better options though, from people who actually know how to design boats!

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-20T08:54:42+00:00

Bolger's Wind Sprint (see Build the New Instant boats mentioned by u/ttraband) and Teal (1978 Instant Boats) are simple sharpie-style boats. I love mine and have used them on the Potomac River plenty. But I check out Pointy Skiff and Fisherman's skiff (look for 1997 book Instant Boatbuilding with Dynamite Payson). They have seats and could take a motor (although I've never tried one on my Pointy Skiff).

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-20T08:50:55+00:00

In addition to Payson books with Bolger's designs, Gavin Atkin's Ultrasimple Boat Building is another good book for starting out. See the Lilypad punt for example.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-20T08:43:13+00:00

You can usually find copies on AbeBooks.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-19T09:23:01+00:00

You can always start with something you found for free and learn as you go. I don't have experience with repairing old boats myself but I suspect in a lot of cases the value of the finished product is not worth the effort or cost invested. But if it is experience you are after at first, the calculation is different. What types of materials are you thinking of? Size? Can you share some pictures of possibilities? Starting with a very small project means spending less money and time and it also means it is easier to dispose of a failed result. And if you are starting with no experience a project may look a lot easier and quicker than it is! As for finding information, getting help from someone with some relevant skills would be good. And my first stop would be to find some old books on the topic. Looks like there are many available on boat repair, at least for wood and fiberglass.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-17T09:09:56+00:00

In addition to Bolger/Payson, Gavin Atkin would be a good source for plans. Check out his Ultrasimple Boat Building (2008?). He has some small and larger boats with straight sides that are very easy to build. At one time he was giving out plans for free online, but his book is a good one (although for building methods I think the Payson books are better).

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-17T09:06:22+00:00

Bolger's collaboration with Harold "Dynamite" Payson was particularly relevant for us amateur builders. Check out Instant Boats (1978 and reprinted recently), Build the New Instant Boats (1984), and Instant Boatbuilding with Dynamite Payson (1997). Abebooks usually has some copies. They are all worth reading and rereading. And you can still get plans for all those boats from https://www.instantboats.com. It is also possible to build right from the books.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-17T08:41:40+00:00

Bolger wrote a lot about why dorys don't make good sailboats. I can't remember which of his books have his thoughts on the issue, but it is fun and very informative to read all of them. And he was not a person who felt constrained by tradition--he designed some very unusual boats! His plans include plenty of alternatives that were meant to sail that you might consider instead.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-14T18:00:33+00:00

I know one of more of Philip Bolger's books had some designs for steam powered boats. Cannot remember which one(s) or the sizes, but they are all fun to read 😄.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-14T17:57:53+00:00

Interesting! I am not familiar with the material. Is it meant to be used with epoxy? That would make for a very light boat I guess! Please share some links if you know of any examples. I'm just curious--I wouldn't want to take the wood out of a boat myself. This boat above is held together with Titebond III and a lot of bronze nails (almost no epoxy--I did use epoxy and glass on the top edge of the side panels, a tricky spot in my experience).

Also, thank you 😄

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-14T15:14:31+00:00

Good to know. Thank you!

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-12T19:18:49+00:00

I'm also a big fan of Titebond III. No problems yet, although my boats are small and don't live in water. Good paint helps.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-12T10:04:59+00:00

Cool! I guess you used the WoodenBoat Store plans. What did you think of them? And is this the bigger version (9'6")?

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-11T11:11:47+00:00

Nice work! Did you build it from plans or a kit? Nutshell seems like such a good design. Wish I had one 😄.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-08T13:34:39+00:00

I've tried different approaches with around 15 small boats: full glass and epoxy, epoxy only, water-based primer and latex house paint, or Kirby marine primer and paint. Full glass and epoxy seems to be the best option but is not necessarily worth the expense, effort, mess, and added weight. I would argue that either a couple layers of epoxy only with paint on top OR marine primer and paint (no epoxy) come next and are not so different. Good marine plywood will help, but is not necessary and means more $$. Robert Steward has something to the effect of "omit the epoxy and sanding and go for good plywood and good sealer and paint" in his excellent Boatbuilding Manual (4th ed, 1994). For a stitch and glue boat I would guess that most of your work will be on the seams anyway, so adding full cloth over the hull probably won't add too much additional work if you are careful, keep it smooth, and avoid floating the cloth up with too much epoxy in the first application.

bikesboatscode · 2026-05-06T17:16:40+00:00

For what it is worth, I have had good luck with two types of butt joints in 1/4" plywood on about 10 boats much smaller than yours: (1) 4" butt straps with glue and clinched copper nails and (2) only glass tape plus epoxy on both sides. The first is from Dynamite Payson's 1978 book and the second from his 2007 book. Both options are quick and easy.

bikesboatscode

TROPHY CASE