3 Tips for Choosing the Right Boat Plans
- Author Morten Olesen
- Published December 26, 2011
- Word count 634
Oftentimes, the hardest part of building a boat is choosing the right boat plans. Unless you have a longtime dream of setting sail on a particular craft, you'll want to take several things into consideration before purchasing boat plans. This way, you can ensure you'll have a goal you can accomplish without abandoning it halfway through due to lack of time, money or experience.
Tip #1 - Decide what type of boat you want to build.
If you've never built a boat before, it only makes sense that you'd choose boat plans with a simple design. However, if you've got a little experience under your belt, you may be ready to step up to something more detailed and complex.
One of the most crucial tips for choosing the right boat plans is deciding on the type of boat. Your experience level, how much you have allotted to spend on materials and the amount of time you can allocate to the project are important considerations.
You’ll also need to think about where you’ll build your boat. Do you have space in a garage or workshop – or can you create a temporary spot - to devote to boat building for (possibly) an extended period of time?
Tip #2 - Understand what's required to make it happen.
More simplistic boat plans such as canoes, dinghies and row boats could feasibly be built in just a few weekends. The cost for a canoe, depending on where in the world you are located, would be reasonably low: around $300US on average. For a row boat; about $450US.
On the opposite end of the scale, it might take around $800 and several months to build a 19-foot pram or $15,000 to construction a 40-foot tug boat. Of course, the amount of time increases considerably with the scope and scale of the project.
With that information in mind, you should do a few calculations. For instance, let's say you can only devote time to boat building on the weekends. If you put in 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday, that gives you 16 hours per week. If it takes 45-60 hours (on average) to build a canoe, you can estimate your launch date as X number of weeks away from the start of your project.
Something else to ask yourself is with regard to expenses. Can you pay for all the materials at once or will you need to build your boat in phases? Listing all the necessary materials and the cost associated with them is a good idea regardless of how you'll finance the project.
If you do need to build in phases, check the boat plans to see which items you'll need at which points along the way. Then you can design your budget accordingly.
Tip #3 - Look for complete, detailed boat plans with 3-D computer models.
You might think all boat plans are created equally. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are no regulations with regard to boat plans so practically anyone who chose to could draw them up and sell them. You want to be careful to choose boat plans that were created by a professional and that will give you all the help and guidance you need.
Look for boat plans drafted by master boat builders and, when possible, opt for plans from Naval Architects to ensure quality and ease of use. You also would be wise to select boat plans that come with computer-generated, 3-D models. Imagine how much added help you’ll get from being able to rotate the model, zoom in, pan, view cross sections and more.
With a few calculations and considerations, you’ll be able to choose just the right boat plans for your experience level, time and money. The results? A vessel you can be proud to sail for years to come.
Morten Olesen is a master boat builder and Naval Architect. Visit [http://www.boatplans.dk](http://www.boatplans.dk) to get his exclusive line of boat plans which includes 3-D computer models plus his free Boat Builder Master Course with your order. © 2011, All Rights Reserved
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Transformative Power of Yamaigel’s Certified Gel Eye Masks
- Checking account with cell phone protection!
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day