build your own sailboat kit

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

September 13, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• There are many sailboats that anyone can build from home depending on tastes
• Budget will be the biggest deciding factor on a majority of the process
• Consider kits that come with most of what you need or choose ones that are all-inclusive
• Design complexities and new materials may make the building time process longer
• Plan the best you can ahead of time to save money and your working hours

‍ Buying a sailboat can be expensive, but building your own can save you money. So what are sailboats you can build from home?

Sailboats that you can build from home will likely be a small boat under 20 feet. These could be from many different boat suppliers such as B&B Yachts, Brooks Boat Designs, and Chase Small Craft. Boat plans will vary based on your budget and how much time you have on your hands.

Based on my previous experience, building your own boat will take much longer than if a professional were to do it. You also have to be able to study plans, consider various sailboat designs, and have tons of supplies such as fiberglass tape or fiberglass cloth. On top of that, you will also have to be good with your hands.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Affordable Sailboats Anyone Can Build at Home

Building your own pocket cruiser or other styles from boat plans is an impressive feat, as this will need dedicated time and money to assure your boat sails safely. Boat building takes a lot of patience as well, especially since this will not be completed in a fast manner.

Finding boat plans and materials that fit your budget will be key to being able to complete the project. The time it takes to complete these projects will vary on your overall experience and needs. Below are 10 of the most affordable sailboats that you can build in the comfort of your home.

B&B Yachts

B&B Yachts have 14 different boat plans you can choose from to find the boat of your desires. Their shop is located along the Bay River in North Carolina where they construct all of the kits and have a 100 foot dock to show off your project once you complete it.

One popular model to check out is their Core Sound 15, as it is the perfect size for those wanting to build a modest size boat for a handful of people on board. Their website features some videos of completed projects and the plans or kits for purchase.

• 14 different models to choose from plus some dinghies
• Various monohull and multihull options
• Friendly customer service with attractive prices
• Might be too many options for some that are indecisive
• Not ideal for those wanting to have a motor sailer

Brooks Boat Designs

Brooks Boat Designs has a handful of options to consider for your next sailboat building project. They are located in Brookline, Maine and give the option to buy the kits or have them build one from scratch for you. They have plenty of knowledge, so do not be shy to ask about modifications or custom features you are looking for.

Depending on your specifics, they can attempt to accommodate some of their plans to help fit your desired outcome. By checking out their site, you can see many examples of their construction in progress and what the boats will look like when completed.

• Offers a variety of kits
• Plans vary around $50 and up, while materials will obviously add more costs
• Some plans can be rowing boats that can convert to sailboats
• Might take a while to hear back from them, as their contact section is a little outdated
• Their plans may not accommodate a ton of extras for your taste

Chase Small Craft

Chase Small Craft offers a simple process for building boats. Their kits are equipped with everything you need and will help save you time than just buying the materials outright and other parts you could need. This is arguably one of the best bang for buck instances if you want to save time and money searching for pieces to your boat.

They are located in Saco, Maine and will ship everything to your home from there. All the necessary materials are included and all you need are the proper tools and working space.

• All-inclusive kits with what you need
• Tons of knowledge on their site for boat building
• Easy process to order and customize
• Complete kits can range over $20,000 for larger boats
• Kits may take up to eight weeks to ship out

Chesapeake Light Craft

You can expect high-quality boat kits from Chesapeake Light Craft . They feature 18 different sailboat kits that vary from eight to 20 feet in length. This should be more than enough to find one for you if you are newer to boat building.

They also have a wide variety of other kits in addition to the sailboat, in the event that you wanted to order a small kayak or paddleboard in addition to your sailboat. The prices vary considerably when considering a small or larger boat, so check the complete list of options to in order to potentially fit your needs.

• Plenty of sailboat offerings to choose from
• Different beautiful hull form options to consider
• Easy to build and perfect for sailing
• Only has basic materials needed for kit, so you may need to purchase other items
• Has epoxy shipping fee no matter if you pick up item

Dudley Dix Yacht Design

Dudley Dix Yacht Design has an extensive list of plywood and single skin sailing boat options. They have plenty of sail plans and kits to consider depending on your goals. These follow a classic look for sailboats, which are aesthetically pleasing.

If you are wanting one to accommodate a small family, they have more than plenty to look through. The cost is not as bad compared to others, but keep in mind that you may need to throw in your own supplies or specific tools to get the job done.

• Plans start at $30 and range up to $7,500 or more for kits
• More than enough of options to consider
• Affordable variety of sailboat offerings
• Might be too many options for those new to sailing
• Most are wood without the use of aluminum or steel

Farrier Marine

If you are in search of a multihull to build, then Farrier Marine is what you need. They offer a unique folding catamaran that is trailerable and give you the option to build it yourself. This not only makes it an appealing option, but anyone can take this multihull boat wherever they want with ease.

It features a thorough construction guide once you receive all of the materials. These also come with stainless steel fasteners and an aluminum mast for high-quality materials. Pricing will vary since you must request which model type you are considering.

• Ability to build a unique catamaran
• In-depth construction guide to help
• Easily handled and trailerable
• Price may be too high
• Limited offerings since only a few multihull options

Glen-L Marine Designs

Building a boat from Glen-L Marine Designs can save you time and money. They feature an easy system to order and receive the kits, as well as an in-depth guide to building them. This is an appealing option compared to most boat kit sellers.

The beauty about Glen-L is that anyone can build these from scratch, so you do not have to be the best boat builder in the world to get it done. They offer guides and helpful insights from their team to point you in the right direction. Plans vary around $15, while kits can range well over $1,000 depending on boat size.

• Nearly 50 designs to choose from
• Complete guide to help anyone build it
• Plenty of price points depending on size
• Might be overwhelming with the amount of options
• Could take a while to get parts since they are popular

John Welsford Boat Designs

John Welsford Boat Designs invites new and veteran boat builders that want a taste of quality small wooden boats. The boat plans are designed to meet your specifications and are catered to your desires.

There are seven sailboat designs to choose from so you do not feel overwhelmed in the process. However, they do not sell kits all the time, so you would need to have the materials or be on the lookout for the best prices when they are available.

• Seven sailboat plans with different sizes
• Quality boat builder and supporting community
• In-depth knowledge provided to you when you order
• Might be too small of boat size
• Kits are not always available

Iain Oughtred

There are plenty of options on the wooden boat store, but you should narrow down your search for Iain Oughtred’s line of sailboat kits and plans. There are 25 different plans to choose from, which should accommodate most everyone looking to build their own boat.

While they do offer some kits, they do not routinely offer sailboat kits. You would need to purchase all of the materials if you are considering one of their sail plans. Keep this in mind if you are considering, as you would need to hunt down the parts yourself.

• 25 different sailboat plans to look through
• Various sizes to contemplate for you sailing needs
• Prices will vary but are not bad compared to market
• No sailboat kits, only plans
• Newer boat builders might find too many options unappealing

Paul Gartside Boat Builder and Designer

Gartside Boats is a boat builder company based in Long Island, New York that showcases a variety of boats from traditional and newer methods of boat building. Within that variety, they have boat plans meant for six to 50 feet in length.

With an abundance of options, you will need to contact them regarding prices and any customizable options. Kits may vary as well, as they typically design in-house and build for you.

• Experienced boat designer that can accommodate with custom plans
• Many options are trailerable
• Can have plans for up to a 50 foot boat
• You will need to contact them for prices
• Customized options may make process more complicated for new boat builders

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Sailboat at Home?

As you have likely already done so, the math between building your own boat and buying one may be a huge difference. Likewise, you may even enjoy the challenge of taking an older boat that is gutted and restoring with parts from a kit to build one new again.

But how much does it cost exactly to build a boat from the comfort of your own garage or workshop? The prices are going to vary dramatically depending on your situation and material needed to get the job done. In addition, the time that it takes to complete this will also vary.

Sail plans are rather inexpensive if you are aiming to build a small boat. These plans allow you to see the workings of the boat design and what you need to build the boat.

Without these plans, you will not know the exact details of the design and it can cause major issues with the boat’s hull or other areas of the boat. Think of these as the backbone or instructions of the boat’s infancy before being built.

Price Per Square Foot

You should assume to pay anywhere between $300 to $600 per square foot if you are interested in building a boat. Buying a kit outright can be a good way to save time, but oftentimes these do not come with everything you need.

Instead, you should try to source as much of the materials at the best price as possible. Thinking ahead is part of the process and you might be able to score a deal at a lumber yard or hardware store for parts.

Boat Designs Matter

The design of the boat will be much different from one boat to the next, regardless if they are the same size in length. If you are pondering boats that range anywhere between 16 and 20 feet, you should factor in the shape of the hull, any rigging, and various appendages.

Prices tend to increase when there are more complexities within the designs. If you are considering a kit with more details than others, you will also have to pay more for the designs on that as well.

Kits Can Differ

It is important to understand that all kits are not going to be the same. As you gander at sailboat kits online to stitch together, you need to thoroughly look over to see if you have everything you need before buying.

It would also be at your advantage to ask the seller if any additional parts or supplies are needed. This may change your dynamic on the kit buying process and you may pass up one for another if it has everything you need. An all-inclusive kit may cost several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more to have the convenience of everything in the bundle.

Construction Approaches

Some boat plans may require you to have certain tools to get the job done. This means special saws or planers, which the average person simply does not have.

Purchasing specialty tools might be expensive upfront and hard to find depending on what it is. Your best bet would be to check locally for others trying to sell their tools or consider a boat plan that does not require extensive tools to finish the job.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Sailboat?

An easy to build sailboat could take a while to build from scratch. Many different variances come into play that are difficult to pinpoint for everyone. But how long is that exactly and how will your experience play into this?

A fun project to sail in the wind could take you several months to well over a year depending on the boat plan and how big your boat is going to be. In addition, the materials all need to be accounted for prior to starting in the event a hardware store does not have them in stock.

Time Varies

The time that passes for simple boat designs on small sailing vessels can be done in a few weeks. This is assuming you have everything you need and work non-stop around the clock.

Certain complex situations may make the process long, such as the difficulty of working with some materials. If you are a skilled laborer, it may take you half the time compared to a novice. The amount of time it can take will vary on your availability and skill level.

Planning ahead will undoubtedly offer the most time-saving features. It also helps if you can tackle parts of the project at your own pace.

Complexity of Design

The design of the boat may make the construction process longer. For example, it may take you longer to build a catamaran compared to a similar lengthed monohull.

More complex designs might require more materials, therefore making the process a bit longer to complete. Furthermore, you will also need more experience working with difficult designs and that will affect you more as a newbie.

Be sure to manage your expectations well and do not allow yourself to become too stressed over this fun project. If you can, seek expert boat building advice from a local builder or the company you purchased sail plans through.

Quality Materials

The quality of the materials will matter significantly when building a boat and will greatly affect the time it takes to construct it. Handling fiberglass or carbon fiber might require specialty tools, while wood also demands a certain level of craftsmanship.

If you are not skilled at working with the material at hand, it might affect the quality of the build and you may have to go back to fix mistakes. This will definitely add more time to your project, because mistakes are bound to happen with your first project.

To save time, consider adding the tools and materials throughout the year or as often as your budget allows. You may want to try testing your skills on fiberglass or other materials to get a feel for how to work with it.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Meet the Scout, a great sailing dinghy -- and rewarding project for a first-time boatbuilder.

The Scout is a wide, stable, 10-foot boat that's a blast to sail and row. Weighs only  ~70 pounds and makes a great tender, yet has enough dry stowage below deck to take on a beach camping trip of its own. The offset daggerboard makes an open footwell so you can even sleep aboard.

The Scout is available as a CNC plywood-and-foam kit exclusively here at Duckworks. You can also grab the epoxy/fiberglass kit , sail & rigging , and any hardware that you need right here as well. Or if you prefer, check out the  COMPLETE SCOUT PACKAGE  with EVERYTHING you need for your build! 

Check out the YouTube video below for a demo of the Scout on the water, and an interview with a home builder who brought this kit boat to life!

Ready to build your own? Shop Scout kits below! 

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Cabin Skiff

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Build a boat from a kit

• Ben Meakins
• February 19, 2015

There’s a great way to own a new boat on a budget – build it yourself. You could create a unique cruising yacht to be proud of and save yourself hundreds, even thousands of pounds into the bargain, explains Ben Meakins

In the late 1960s noted author and yacht designer Maurice Griffiths wrote: ‘There is nothing like sailing the boat you have constructed with your own hands, whose every timber, screw, bolt and fastening you know intimately.’ Take a look at the pages of any early copy of PBO and you’ll find it filled with adverts for kits for home building. But times have changed.

The advent of relatively cheap, mass-produced boats, the increased size of the average yacht and, to a lesser extent, the limitations of the EU’s Recreational Craft Directive, which states that if you build a kit boat you cannot sell it on for five years, have slowed the home building flood to a mere trickle. But building a boat you can truly call your own still can’t be beaten – and there are plenty of ways of going about it.

Motivation But why bother when it’s easier to buy a boat ready made? Well, for a start, it’ll save you money – and you’ll end up with a boat that’s worth far more than the kit that it came from. Then there’s the feeling of satisfaction you’ll get from sailing a boat you’ve built yourself. If you’ve been involved in the process from start to finish, you’ll have a boat tailored perfectly to your needs.

How long will it take? You skills and spare time will influence how long a project takes to complete. On balance, it’s fair to expect to finish a small pocket cruiser within 1-2 years, working on it part time. Two owners we spoke to provide a useful contrast, taking six months and nearly six years respectively – but it all depends on time pressures and the amount of modifications and custom-building that you put in.

Do you have space? The biggest limitation to building any boat is space. It may sound obvious, but there’s many a story of a proud amateur boatbuilder realising with dismay that he’ll have to remove large bits of masonry from his house if his shiny new boat is ever going to see the water. A garage, barn or lock-up is best for the UK’s inclement weather, and will ensure the best possible conditions for your build. If you can’t manage that, a large tent will suffice.

What skills are needed? It depends on the boat you choose. Most kit boats we’ll look at use the ‘stitch and glue’ technique, where plywood panels are held together by temporary ‘stitches’, or ties, while they are glued and glassfibred together. Phil Smith of Fyne Boat Kits says: ‘If someone can follow instructions and read a manual and have the time and inclination to study a set of plans then they should consider a build.’ If you’re in doubt, it’s a good idea to build a small dinghy first, to get an idea of the skills required. You can even use the small boat as a tender to your larger boat.

‘They say you should build your first boat second,’ says one owner. ‘That way you’ll get the boat you want and have the skills to make a good job of it!’ One major advantage to building a boat from a kit, as opposed to from a set of plans, is that the building methods will have been carefully thought through for home builders. Ray Anderson was a boatbuilding novice when he started to build his Swallow Boats Storm 17. ‘The hardest part of building my boat was getting confident in using epoxy well, but luckily it was all covered in the manual.’ he says. ‘The fit of the parts was excellent and the satisfaction as you move forward through the build is incredible.’

What’s available? Some companies will create a kit for you from a set of plans. Selway Fisher and Iain Oughtred have a number of designs listed on their websites from which Jordan Boats will build a kit. Fyne Boat Kits sell a number of their own and others’ designs in kit form, and Whisper Boats sell a range of kits designed and built in Australia – and the kits include everything from hardwood trim to screws.

Alternatively, you can buy a bare GRP hull moulding from a company like Lauren Marine of Southampton, which has recently started selling the hulls of Hunter Boats for home completion.

Go to it, then There’s no doubt that building your own boat is a challenge, but, in the words of Maurice Griffiths: ‘Go to it, then, and may the winds be fair for the little ship you will build.’

JORDAN BOATS

Jordan Boats will produce a kit from any set of plans with copyright permission, supplying you with all the plywood panels precision pre-cut. They are already tooled up to produce the kits for a number of Iain Oughtred, Selway Fisher and Dudley Dix rowing boats, dayboats and small cruisers, as well as a variety of craft from the pens of other designers. We asked three customers about their chosen boats.

The Iain Oughtred-designed Wee Seal has plenty of character

Retired from the financial services sector, Gordon Simpson is excited about his project. ‘She’s finally beginning to look like a boat,’ he says. ‘I’m one plank away from finishing the hull!’ Gordon started building his 18ft (5.48m) clinker-planked, gunter-rigged Wee Seal a year ago. ‘My neighbour had recently built a rowing skiff, and I thought it looked like a great idea. I built an Iain Oughtred-designed clinker rowing boat first. I then started looking for an open boat, but my wife wanted something we could sleep on – so we settled on the Wee Seal. I wanted something with character, and she fits the bill.’ Gordon’s kit included a full set of cut plywood parts, but the solid wood – the keel, trim and framework – was down to him. ‘Having the ply ready cut on a CNC router made everything much easier for a first attempt, as it was so accurate,’ says Gordon. ‘If you’re willing to put the time and effort in, boatbuilding’s a great hobby to have!’ he continues. ‘The plans reckon it’ll take around 1,000 hours to build – and I hope to have her sailing by next summer.’

Price: £2,685. Kit includes all plywood parts and MDF moulds. Total cost will  be around five times this price, for additional timber, glues, paint, fixings and rope.

‘Too enjoyable to rush’ – this Tideway 14 is a classic pocket cruiser

Graphic designer Graham Young started building his Selway-Fisher Tideway 14 pocket cruiser three-and-a-half years ago. ‘It’s been so enjoyable I haven’t rushed it!’ he says. ‘The thing I’ve enjoyed most is that there’s no time limit – unlike DIY around the house, when everything’s in a rush, I’ve been able to take my time. But I reckon three more months should see it through.’ Graham was disappointed he could find no DVD guides to building boats – so took some time off from his build to film one with Alec Jordan of Jordan Boats (see panel, page 51). Graham has just finished painting the hull and is now moving onto the rudder and rig. ‘It’s been quite a challenge,’ he says, ‘but definitely worth it. I would advise not starting too big – if you’re not sure what you’re doing, start with something small, learn the tricks and work up.’ Working from a kit also helps. ‘Having all the pieces pre-cut gave me a great kickstart,’ he says.

Price: £1,768. Kit includes all plywood parts for the boat. Total cost will be around five times this price, for all the additional timber, glues, paint, fixings, sails and rope.

Cape Henry 21

Gary Wallis finished his Cape Henry 21 gaffer in under a year

The Cape Henry 21 was developed from the well-known and successful GRP-built Cape Cutter 19. With a similar look to the Cornish Crabber, it was designed by South African designer Dudley Dix. Gary Wallis liked the look of the Cape Cutter and had built aeroplanes before he started his Cape Henry, which he built in just under a year. ‘I had to take my (now) wife to Las Vegas and marry her to keep her off my back,’ he laughs, ‘but I worked every evening until 8 and all my weekends until I’d finished.’ He says he’d highly recommend building from a kit. ‘Having the plywood panels precision pre-cut made everything so much more accurate, and improves the finished boat no end.’ Jordan Boats are also ready to tool up the plans for two more Dix designs, the Mini Didi, a Mini Transat racer, and the Dix 28, a sporty cruiser-racer.

Price: £2,536. Kit includes all plywood parts. Total cost will be around five times this price, for additional timber, glues, paint, fixings and rope.

WHISPER BOATS

If you ever built one of those wooden dinosaur skeletons as a child, you’ll know exactly how these clever kits go together. The frames, bulkheads, shelves and seats are connected to the keel and to each other by a series of precision pre-cut slots and tabs which interlock to form a rigid skeleton on a ready-made, lead-filled keel. Whisper’s kits are made by Scruffie boats in Australia, and according to Max Campbell, the UK importer, are unique. ‘We include everything down to the last bit of hardwood trim and laminated frame,’ he told PBO. ‘It’s the provision of these machined or laminated parts that makes the difference between a real kit and just having plywood sheets cut to suit plans.’ Whisper reckon it should take only three months working full-time on the build.

Chris Nunn built his Stornaway Weekender in just six months

Chris Nunn pulled out all the stops and built his 18ft (5.48m) Stornaway weekender in six months after he retired and moved to Bridport in Dorset. ‘Mooring charges were becoming extortionate,’ he says, ‘so we wanted something that would fit on the driveway. It all went to plan, I just threw it all together and in six months she was ready to sail.’ In common with all the Scruffie boats, the frame comes ready cut and ready to be assembled quickly and easily. ‘Everything came in the kit, even all the screws, so it was just a case of getting on and building it!’

Price: £8,953 complete kit

The Secret is Whisper’s best-selling model, and is a fast and capable boat

The 20ft (6.09m) Secret, described as halfway between an Essex Smack and a Sydney Harbour 18 footer, is Whisper’s most popular model. Max Campbell built one himself. ‘I was looking for a trailer-sailer to self-build, because I wanted control over the design and specification, but didn’t want the depreciation inevitable in buying a new finished boat,’ he explained. ‘My wife and I bought several sets of plans for other boats but always found a fatal flaw in their design – too ugly, or heavy, or wide, and then we came across the Secret, which fitted our bill perfectly.’ It only took a couple of weeks’ work to realise that the kit had taken most of the worry out of the build process, while leaving the satisfying building, and it still gave them plenty of scope for customisation. ‘From the first day there was no doubt that we were going to end up with a good, strong boat, and every day in the boat shed added significantly to what we’d done before. ‘The only woodwork I’d done before was building a model plane, and the process here was remarkably similar. Epoxy makes the whole process very forgiving – joints don’t lose either their strength or aesthetics if cut less than perfectly. ‘We were also grateful for the machined hardwood and laminated parts, because I don’t have a fully equipped workshop. We probably took about 1,500 hours, maybe more, and it did take longer than we’d envisaged, but in the end that didn’t matter because we enjoyed most of the actual building process, though fairing and painting did seem to go on for a long time!’

Price: £12,636 complete kit

This Scintilla has taken nearly five years to build, and is beautifully made

John Arter has been building his 24ft (7.31m) Scintilla gaffer in evenings and at weekends for five years. ‘The great thing about the kit is that it gives you a basic boat which you can personalise as much or as little as you like – I’ve put a lot of work in!’ he says. ‘I wanted a coastal cruiser, and the Scintilla has a wide hatch – so with a good awning over the cockpit, she’ll have standing headroom.’

Price: £12,352 complete kit

Contact: Whisper Boats, www.whisperboats.co.uk

FYNE BOAT KITS

The Pocket Ship: seated headroom below and a good turn of speed

Long-established Cumbrian company Fyne Boat Kits’ newest design is for the Pocket Ship, a 14ft 10in (4.52m) gaff-rigged cruiser with two berths down below and seated headroom. The kit includes all panels, and the holes for the ties are already cut. ‘She’s a fast-sailing pocket cruiser with a dry and commodious interior. It had to be quick and easy to build or the project would never get finished, so stitch-and-glue plywood construction was a given from the start. The panels are supplied ready-cut and with all ‘tie’ holes pre-drilled. The cockpit was laid out for day-sailing comfort and is large enough for sleeping on warm nights,’ explains Phil Smith.

Price: expected to be around £3,000

Contact: Fyne Boat Kits, www.fyneboatkits.com

SWALLOW BOATS

A daysailer like this Storm 17 makes a good, simple first project

Swallow Boats make a few small cuddy/cabin cruisers, such as the BayRaider (PBO February 2009), and will be releasing a kit version of the BayCruiser shortly. At present only their smaller models up to 17ft (5.18m) are available in kit form – and the Storm 17 open dayboat has found a loyal following. Ray Anderson got a kit shipped to South Africa. ‘When the idea to build a sailing boat got into my head I searched the internet for a suitable ‘old world’ type boat and eventually came across Swallow Boats,’ he says. ‘I fell in love with the looks of the Storm 17 and that was that. A lot of designs are all too much traditional building and I was put off. I wanted something that I could imagine building in a year or so. The Storm 17 has a low parts count and you have a lovely shape in a few weeks – you can pretend it’s almost finished! ‘It has been a fantastic project and totally satisfying. Every time I look at it I’m amazed at what started out as a few pieces of plywood.’ Price: £4,128 – everything included except paint and oars.

Contact: Swallow Boats, www.swallowboats.co.uk

Boatbuilding guides on DVD

This feature was originally published in PBO in 2009.

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The Kit Process

Building your own boat can be a daunting prospect, however to demonstrate each step in the kit assembly process, we've created this guide for you to study. as you can see our kits are the ultimate in building efficiency and have been streamlined over 30+ years to ensure that you're on the water faster and with less effort., how does it all go together.

The first step to building your dream catamaran begins with a strongback – this is a square frame used to position the temporary frames that will be used to form the hull shape. This frame will be set up and must be square and accurate, a string or laser level can be used to achieve this.

The forebeam is now installed along with the striker attachment fitting, as shown above. The bridgedeck is installed shortly after and taped onto the bulkheads with webs installed, this now completes what is a quite stiff and strong platform to work on.

Now that the bridgedeck is in place, the forward webs and dash will be fitted. At this stage, all furniture and internal work begins, with the main panels left off for ease of access when working.

DIY Sailboat Kit: How To Impress Your Wife By Saying You Are Building A Boat From Scratch

Sure, you can always just buy a little sailboat for taking with you during the summer’s weekend trips.  But why not impress the wife and kids by pretending to build one from scratch?   That’s exactly what you can do with the DIY Sailboat Kit.

Made by the Balmain Boat Company, it’s a DIY sailboat kit that includes everything you need to assemble your own little sailer.  Everything is pre-cut, too, so you don’t have to do any difficult cutting work (not that you have to admit that to anybody else) — just follow the instructions to put the individual parts together and you’ve got yourself a real boat you can take down the waters.

The DIY Sailboat Kit includes all the individual plywood pieces, screws, nails, glue, and even marine sealants for building your boat, as well as the mast, boom, gaff, sail and rope for catching the winds during your boat rides.  You’ll need a hammer, a caulking gun and a drill, though, so make sure you have those ready if you’re trying to impress the wife and kids with your crazy boatbuilding skills.  It ships in a flat-packed box measuring 3,000 x 700 x 230 mm that turns into a 3,000 x 1,300 x 515 mm boat once completely put together.

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According to the product page, the boat takes approximately 30 hours to complete, so it will probably take you about 60, which still sounds awesome.  You’ll need to give the epoxy and sealant two weeks to set, though, so don’t just drive down to the beach as soon as you finish the thing.

You can order the DIY Sailboat Kit directly from the BBCo website, priced at $2,590.

Tradition Meets Technology

Satisfy your inner craftsman with a project that requires both a skilled hand and traditional boat building knowledge.

why the  zip kit?

The ZipKit goes beyond a simple stitch-and-glue project, bringing together art, science, and craftsmanship for a rewarding experience both on and off the water.

Because we want you to have the best possible quality, all of the hull components derive their geometry from our full-size 3D model of the Zip and all parts are processed on our state-of-the-art CNC machinery to ensure close precision.

Interlocking finger joints eliminate the need for scarf joints and give your craft superior strength, aesthetic appeal, and accuracy .  Your finished craft will pack as much style as it does functionality.

Style: Classic Runabout

Size:   14’-4” / 5’-9” beam / 27" deep

Hull:  Vee bottom, hard chine 

Material: Plywood (6mm)

Joints : Interlocking fingers

Power:  Short or long shaft outboard motor up to 40 HP

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Elliott News

Build yourself a sailboat.

20 Apr 2020

Here’s a great project for you weekend warriors with basic tools and skills, who want to build your own yacht. It’s the E22 Day Sailer. A perfect backyard project for you, the E22 DS  is a simple, tough, day sailer, you can drag it up onto the beach or onto the lawn at the bach with minimum fuss and it's robust enough to handle this treatment.  You can choose from several construction options available . We can supply you with construction plans and a materials list to build your own yacht from scratch. If you’re handy with tools and have the time this option will work for you. Want to cut out the first few steps and get a jump start ?  The  materials can be supplied as a flatpack boat to construct with your basic building skills. The E22 DS  has been designed for easy construction of the basic frame, before applying the plywood panels. Bond the deck plywood panels at the edges and glass tape to form the shape. Economical too - the computer-cut panels are supplied with greater accuracy and less wastage, as the patterns are cut to achieve the greatest efficiency. The bulkheads and bottom panels utilise 9mm ply, while the topsides and deck are 6mm. Sheath the hull in fibre glass with an extra layer along the bottom to resist abrasion and you’re nearly sailing. The third build option - possibly the fastest and definitely the easiest,  just purchase the flatpack and have it delivered to your local boat builder to put it together professionally for you.   Sailing Details. Just two small winches take care of headsail sheeting and swinging the keel plate up. There is enough weight in the keel to ensure the boat is self-righting.Next pick up a pre loved mast and some sails or choose from a variety of mast and sail options to suit your budget and sailing preferences.  Your  Elliott 22 DS  is Fun to Build – Fun to Sail.  Read more   Here   or Jump in now and get in touch with us to get started now.

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Build Your Own Boat!

Stitch & Glue Designs

The Flats River Skiff 12 is a light, compact and stable solo skiff to access shallow water.

• 2″ – 4″ draft 
• 1 person max

The Flats River Skiff 14 is the big sister to the FRS-12 , a light weight 2 person solo style skiff.

• 4′2″ beam
• 3″ – 6″ draft @ 825 lbs
• 2 people max

The Flats River Skiff 15 is a flats style 2 person shallow water hunting & fishing boat.

• 15′ LOA
• 5’4″ beam
• 5″ – 7″ draft
• 3 people max

The Flats River Skiff 16 hits the sweet spot for a 3-4 person shallow water fishing boat.

• 16’7″ LOA
• 6’3″ beam
• 8″ – 10″ draft
• 4 people max

The Flats River Skiff 18 is the perfect bay and flats fishing boat.

• 18’6″ LOA
• 7’3″ beam
• 8″ – 11″ draft
• 5 people max

Cold Molded Designs

The CS-18 is a smaller version of our original CS-21 for those looking for a smaller boat with lower freeboard to inshore waters.

• Cruise 25-30mph

The CS-21 was inspired by the iconic Harkers Island style work boats. This center console design features unmistakable lines, a Carolina flared bow and a modified V bottom.

• 10″ – 12″ draft
• Cruise 30mph

The CB-17 is the sister design to the FRS-16.  She stands out as a custom flats boat with Carolina flare and rounded transom.

• 17′ LOA
• Cruise 25mph

The C-25 is a North Carolina sport fishing boat in a trailerable center console layout. With Carolina flared bow, broken shear and tumblehome she is an iconic design.

• 28′ LOA (25’2″ hull)
• 8′6″ beam
• 16″ – 18″ draft
• 350hp single or twin 200hp max
• Cruise 30-35mph

More Info and Helpful Links

How to videos, plans & kits.

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Build your own sail boat with Hartley Boat Plans. Hartley sail boats are the benchmark in reliable and sea worthy trailer sailers, in fact the name trailer sailer was coined by these amazing craft. Many of these build plans also have a printed study pack available to help you through your project.

Cape Bay 45

Cape Otway 37

Chuckles 18

Dateline 51

Eastcoaster 16

Easthaven 34

Hartley 16ft (5m) Trailer Sailer

Hartley 30 (Plywood Version)

Hartley 30 (Steel Version)

Royal Suva 52

Samson ‘C-Baron’ 55

Samson ‘C-Breeze’ 45

Samson ‘C-Deuce’ 45

Samson ‘C-Fever’ 62

Samson ‘C-Lord’ 53

Samson ‘C-Quence’ 36

Samson ‘C-Witch’ 63

Tahitian 27

Tahitian 33

Tahitian 38

Tahitian 45-50

Westhaven 32

• Accessories
• Built Boats
• Information

My Project – My Boat – My Dream

Build your own wooden boat on one of our five or ten day boat-building courses .

The Waterlust sailing canoe is designed for high-performance expedition cruising

Welcome to Fyne Boat Kits , makers and suppliers of wooden boat kits , boat plans and boating equipment . Our range of recreational and performance watercraft includes rowing, sailing and motor boats, canoes and kayaks as well as surfboards and paddleboards.

All our boats can be built at home with minimal tools or experience. If you lack the space or tools, simply hire a slot in our fully-equipped workshop .

The quickest and most fun way to get the bulk of the work done is to join one of our five or ten day boat-building courses . You'll build your own boat at our workshop among like-minded builders and you'll leave with all the skills and confidence to complete your boat at home.

We also accept commissions for custom-built boats from the designs in our range. We can supply your boat fully finished and kitted out or just ready for you to paint and varnish it yourself.

Build your own boat at home

All our kits are precision manufactured in our workshop in the English Lake District. We make some of the most advanced kits available, with pre-cut joints and pre-drilled tie holes. All our boat designs are proven by a series of prototypes – the kits go together well and the boats perform even better.

Building a boat is made stress-free by our step-by-step manuals and free expert support by phone and email. Most of our boat kits can be built to a high standard by complete novices.

We use only the highest-quality materials, so that your boat will last decades, not just years. All our timber comes from sustainable sources. Our kits are often cheaper than sourcing all the components yourself.

We can also cut plywood kits to other people's designs, with their permission.

• Kit Contents
• Boat Building
• Boat Builder's Forum

European agents for:

• Fyne Boat Kits — Old Cooperage Yard, Gatebeck, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 0HW
• Telephone: +44 (0)1539 567 148
• Email: info [at] fyneboatkits.co.uk

Copyright © Fyne Boat Kits

• For Sale/Wanted
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• Your Yarns.
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• DIY Boat Yards
• Boat Building
• Cabin Cruisers
• Free Boat Plans
• Begin Boating
• Boating Terms
• Ropes and Rigs
• Just for Fun
• Celestial Navigation
• Passage Planning
• VHF Marine Radio
• Diagonal Scale

Sailboat Plans

Free Sailboat Plans

A selection of some of the Free Sailboat Plans (pdf) that were published in magazines such as “Popular Mechanics”, "Popular Science" and the "Boat Builder Handbook".

If you need help with lofting out the plans click here for an article here which should help.

• Open Dayboats/Dinghys
• Rowing Boats

Open/Dayboat, Free Sailboat Plans

Everyone who digs boating has heard of the Hobie Cat, the sleek little catamaran that burst on the scene and captured the attention of all the fast-action sailors.

Marked by asymmetrical hulls and special trampoline supports, the Hobie can reach speeds above 20 mph and perform with a rare agility.

But it has one drawback.

It costs mucho dinero.

Thus, we introduce the Hobby Kat, sailboat plans, a build-it-yourself version of the “Hobie” that should cost from half to a third of the commercial version. If you have the moola, of course, go for a Hobie and have the time of your life on the water.

If not, try our Hobby

The homebuilt is not quite the same.

But she sails sweetly and fast—qualities which have made the “Hobie” popular

Even in a light air she’ll slip through the water at a fast clip.

She has no centreboards, leeboards or keel, and needs none.

The inside of each hull has built-in lift, like an airplane wing, so that as the boat heels and one hull digs in the boat is pulled back to windward.

Click Here for the Plans

She can run in very shallow water and the rudders kick up for beaching.

You can carry her on a trailer or even disassemble her.

Many a “stink pot” addict will take a second look at Tern because she planes in modest breezes, is easy to handle, and her streamlined prow arid pod-shaped, “inland scow” type hull offer slight water resistance. Then too, there’s a charm about the tiller of a sailer that’s not matched by the wheel of a motor-powered boat. Part of it is the challenge of making the most of nature’s free-wheeling breezes. Even with her 72sq.ft of sail, this Free Sailboat Plan is remarkably stable, and packs as many as four persons aboard

For thousands of inland lakes, Tern is the answer to sailing water sport, she is rugged and easy to launch

And she’s remarkably easy to build.

Falcon is a small, speedy, sporty sailboat which handles well. Tests on the original Falcon showed that she could easily out-distance boats of comparable size such as the one design class Snipe and Comet sailers.

And she will pace neck and neck with 18 footers with considerably greater sail spread.

This strong, beamy, eight-foot pram may be sailed either cat-rigged or sloop-rigged.

The dagger-board may be adjusted forward to balance the helm when sailing with the addition of a jib sail.

Oars or a small outboard motor may also be used to power this versatile Free Sailboat Plans.

Dart” is a small two or three person sailing craft, designed for use on protected waters such as bays. lakes, rivers or wherever sheltered waters are found. Its construction will repay the builder handsomely and provide a fast sailing craft, light in weight, easily transportable and cheap to construct with all difficult joinery eliminated

It provides thrilling and economical sport.

The 'Crescent', designed by C. T. Allen, is the ideal sailboat for day sailing on a small lake, river, or protected waters of a bay.

Centreboard design (Fig. 2) reduces Crescent's draft, so Shallow is not a problem.

Its broad beam of over 5½ft. makes it an ideal family boat because there is room for a cockpit large enough to accommodate four adults or two adults and three kids, and side and forward decks big enough to stretch out on when sun bathing.

"Jewel" is a 16' Crescent Sailboat being built by Mike Allen from the free sailboat plans by C.T .Allen in the 1958 "Boat Builders Handbook". And what a superb job Mike is doing check out his photos here .

Click Here for the Free version of the Plans

Sailing enthusiasts and backyard boat builders are not likely to find free boat plans for a sailing pram that can be built faster, lighter, stronger, or less expensively than Graefin-10. Two men can begin work on a Friday evening and have a smart, lively 10-ft. 85-pound sailboat in the water by Sunday evening (it’s been done).

Zephyr Is a refinement of a type of boat developed by the English for use in the rough open waters of the English Channel. Not only is it fast under sail, but it can stand up under punishment. And it’s light enough to be easily loaded atop an auto or light trailer.

Breeze-Baby

Skimming off a brisk wind or with the wind abeam, Breeze-Baby actually planes with one person aboard. Despite her rowboat lines that make her easy to build, she handles easily under her simple sail, an ideal first boat. Simple lines are adapted to plywood construction that’s strong, light and that keeps Breeze-Baby’s bilges dry

You can take her with you atop your car or on a lightweight trailer for summer fun wherever you vacation or get in a week-end’s sailing.

Cat’s Paw is easy to build because of the straight-sided hulls. The sheer line is flat and that simplifies building the form. Bow and stern are straight, so there’s no cockeyed bevel to fit and fuss with

She Is an Ideal boat to learn or practice sailing in because she will forgive so many mistakes.

Cabin Cruiser, Free Sailboat Plans

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I am perfectly aware that the majority of Wooden Boat aficionados are sensible folk. However, I need to point out that I am an amateur wooden boat enthusiast simply writing in order to try to help other amateur wooden boat enthusiasts. And while I take every care to ensure that the information in DIY Wood Boat.com is correct, anyone acting on the information on this website does so at their own risk.