Thread: Building a boat hull?

has anyone ever tried building their own boat hull? what are some things to look for? do's and don'ts? I think I want to try to build my own boat hull. I am not commiting to a build yet. just pondering the idea.

thinking of something kind of like these
http://www.hotdogpowerboats.com/pictures.asp

I just remember hearing horror stories about some prototype HTM hull disentigrating at over 100mph during testing and a couple guys died.

on a lighter note.. give it a shot. Im sure its been done successfully before..

how comfortable are you with fiberglass? I hate the stuff so the boat I have been planning to build is going to be out of aluminum.

this crazy dude spent 9 years building a 42 foot coke whore killer

I am comfortable with my fiberglass skills. however I am not comfortable with my boat design skills, as I have a very minimal amount. doing anything over 70 on the water scares the shit out of me. I was thinking something small and does 40-55mph

Originally Posted by 40oztofreedom

I just remember hearing horror stories about some prototype HTM hull disentigrating at over 100mph during testing and a couple guys died.

on a lighter note.. give it a shot. Im sure its been done successfully before..

Those who dies were the owner of HTM and another guy.

Originally Posted by trever leach

I am comfortable with my fiberglass skills. however I am not comfortable with my boat design skills, as I have a very minimal amount. doing anything over 70 on the water scares the shit out of me. I was thinking something small and does 40-55mph

Honeslty..its not worth it. My dad has worked ALOT of boat companies. And I grew up around it. Helping (wet sand bitch) Desigining and building a hull is a Massive effort to get it right. Getting the stringers glassed in and set is a undertaking alone. not to mention the mold you need to make for the Hull. The hoits to flip the boat and pop out the mold. The gallons upon gallons of resin and gelcoat and Rolls of mat and cloth glass. Befor eyou commit, Take a tour of a place. They will let you. And just get a gauge for it. im not saying you cant do it. but its a massive expenisve project. Im not sure after you get it done what reg's you have to meet for USCG approval as well.

IMO, your best route would be to find/buy a small already made hull. Which should not be hard at all. Then go from there. But its up not you. not trying to discourgae. Its just Crazy how much work goes into just hull and stringers.

you can buy plans all day long online that already have all the design work done. I know certain places offer cad files with cut files you can go drop off to have cnc router cut it out.

Trever, when your tranny DNF's in the middle of the water what are you going to do? hahahaha

my buddies neighbor built 13" one seater all on his porch at his house. cut the bottom of a kawi xp seadoo out around the motormounts and shit and built the rest of it around it. ill try to get some pics its pretty bitchen lookin adn should be fairly fast, four people easly picked it up and flipped it a little while ago.

Originally Posted by FCORR

Trever, when your tranny DNF's in the middle of the water what are you going to do? hahahaha

lol no tranny to dnf

Originally Posted by totalchaosyota92

my buddies neighbor built 13" one seater all on his porch at his house. cut the bottom of a kawi xp seadoo out around the motormounts and shit and built the rest of it around it. ill try to get some pics its pretty bitchen lookin adn should be fairly fast, four people easly picked it up and flipped it a little while ago.

I want to see. I'm not looking to start out with anything like that, but still want to see

haha yea its sounds gehtto but i couldnt belive it till i saw it, shit is rad.

I can tell you this... as the main rigger and design helper... at DANA performance boats... we do our own in house gell/fiberglass work including repairs and re gells... when it comes to building a boat from scratch.... you will be building the boat 3 times...

first you will build a plug.... wood , bondo, (lots of it ) glass resin..
then after you get exactly what you want... and it is ready for you to make a mold.... (build a positive )

then you make a mold.... lots and lots of layers of glass and several gallons (approx 50 ) of mold/finishing resin.. ( build a negitive )

now you can cast.. make your new boat and pull it from that mold.. then rig it.... trust me.... One plug = approx 3000 hrs

the mold is approx 200 hrs not including the support frame and back bone...

then the boat itself about 2 full weeks in the mold.. then you can start rigging your new boat.... approx 60 hrs with interior... oh yeah.. dont forget your trailer...

have fun..

I have recently seen several hull molds for sale on craigslist for around $500

Originally Posted by bugit

I have recently seen several hull molds for sale on craigslist for around $500

even at that its not worth it especially if you can go especially if you never done it before

Originally Posted by trever leach

I want to see. I'm not looking to start out with anything like that, but still want to see

Here, save yourself some time and money



http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1601015094.html

buy a jet boat with a sbc and thats about a 45 50 mph boat

Originally Posted by 40oztofreedom

I just remember hearing horror stories about some prototype HTM hull disentigrating at over 100mph during testing and a couple guys died.

on a lighter note.. give it a shot. Im sure its been done successfully before..

Negative. Drive failure.

Originally Posted by NAFLASH

Negative. Drive failure.

hummmm really it was one of the motors that locked up at 118mph.... with no interior ..all that were in the boat were standing and had no life jackets on...

Check out these guys who have been around for a long time.

http://www.boatdesigns.com/ The send you full size plans so you dont have to loft any lines.

Shit, kids build these all the time and you can go for a budget build or go all out.

These designs are proven and have a ton of support through thier online forum or email. All designs made by a real old school naval architect.

Beware of the other guys out there selling designs as most sell 50+ year old designs that were put together in someones backyard by trial and error and when you get then plans you will spend weeks just trying to make the patterns.

I will be building this http://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=367

or maybe this http://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=343

Any questions? PM me, I have been on thier site for a few years now and have bought several books from them to study up!