Going to build a boat this spring.

[Darin]

As a project, my son and I are going to be building a 8 to 10ft boat and putting a 5.5hp haning off the back. My son is 12 and it will be his boat. My friend has 2 sons and will be building the same boat with his kids. I have been looking at some plans but haven't found the 'perfect' boat yet. Anyone here ever do this before? It looks pretty easy. We are both construction savvy. He has a would shop in his basement with plenty of tools planer, drill press etc. We're looking forward ot a great project with our sons and I'm looking forward to watching my son take his first solo trip across the lake in his own boat. Should be very cool. You can fish under 14 without a stupid fish liscense, so he will have a couple summers of free fishing if he likes.

[Chad H]

Darin,
My uncle actually makes these quite often. He has made 2. The first one was a smaller one, but the one he is building now is bigger. The first one was too small for an engine, but it was more of a canoe.

Are you limited to 8-10 ft?

This one looks pretty good
http://www.dinghy.pl/40m_dayboat.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ego/lewisboatworks/html/buildfrontsimon_a.htm

Those are some to get you started. I just learned a lot more looking at that stuff. Apparently on the row boats, if you beef up the back wall, you can put motors on them. They are really neat. Your son will have a blast on these.

[holdsworth]

never done anything like that, or seen anything of the sort. but it sounds like a good project. if you need any other tools, you could even go to some high school with an industrial arts class and has a wood shop. we have one at my school...i'm sure you could find a local school with one. good luck with the project, Darin.

[Chad H]

Darin, From what i have seen, no odd tools are needed. Just normal stuff like a plane and sander.