JEM Watercraft

Wow! I knew I could count on you guys I just need to remember and repeat to myself often....just wood, filler, epoxy, fiberglass....and uuhh..what was that other one???? Oh yeah....money Since this is my first one and I'm actually getting rid of some tupperware boats to do it....well, the pressure's on! This is definatley one of those.....you're gonna do what accompained with the Then when I mention that it's for her....well she's checkin the life insurance policy. So I definately appreciate all the support. My dream is to make it as beautiful as those I see posted here. Old Sparky, your Freedom is georgeous! Matt did a great job with the lines on this design and you really did a nice job on putting her together. For me, when I look at her well....she's just a nice lookin boat And that's a big part of why I like Kayaks, boating, the outdoors....and my wife! They're all lookers. So thanks again...keep up the good work.
Tim

Tim

A wood boat is just that ..... wood , with some epoxy and fiberglass. The expensive part is the epoxy and glass if you have to tools.

I make all of mine with a small hand saw , cordless drill and a small sander. You do not need a complete wood working shop just the basics to make a boat. Not that a shop full of tools and saws would not be nice to have. I just splurged and got a band saw but that came after I made 7 or 8 boats and wanted to make a stripper. Had to cut the strips out of some boards to make it.

The greatest expense is when you make the 1st one , then all of them after that cost less and in my way of thinking you have a better boat then one of the off the shelf ones.

Yours will be a one of a kind , custom made by you for what you want it to do. No matter how hard you try to duplicate it , it never happens , each boat is as individual as the person making it. The only restriction on making a wood boat is the persons imagination and what he wants.
Might say each wood boat has it's own personality , unlike the plastic ones which have none.

Study the plans , understand the directions and what to do , then , when that is done start on the boat , measure twice and cut once. Remember there is help out for you there when you have a question.

Chuck.

And the statement "There is no foolish question" rings true.

I garuntee, EVERY question you have, no matter how obvious you think it is, has been pondered by just about every builder.

Heya Tim,

just in case you might feel the "need" to invest in some power hand tolls,

Here is my list of very useful ones to have. As Chack said they are not essential, but make things a lot easier to do.

1. Jigsaw,
2. Random orbital Sander,
3, Belt sander
4. battery drill.

These tools don't need to be top shelf stuff. They will be working epoxy resin and fibreglass which is pretty hard on the motors etc. I just buy the real cheap ones and as they wear out, replace them.

I use a hand saw - Japanese style. If I could find and egg beater drill, I'd quit using my electric drill. Only power tool you really need - and BOY DO YOU REALLY NEED IT - is an orbital sander.

Forget the karate Kid crap of arm exercise. Get a good random orbital sander. One of the 1/4 sheet models is a good place to start. Others are nice too.

Kayak Jack wrote: Only power tool you really need - and BOY DO YOU REALLY NEED IT - is an orbital sander.

Forget the karate Kid crap of arm exercise. Get a good random orbital sander. One of the 1/4 sheet models is a good place to start. Others are nice too.

There's a walmart near and dear to me that is selling black n decker random orbital sanders at an amazing deal. They've got a whole endcap full of these things clearanced at $15 and included in the deal is 25 disks of various grits sand paper. We need to stock up and send them to jem for resale. They are cheaper than just buying 25 disks of sandpaper.

Edit to add a pic.

Kayak Jack wrote:I use a hand saw - Japanese style. If I could find and egg beater drill, I'd quit using my electric drill. Only power tool you really need - and BOY DO YOU REALLY NEED IT - is an orbital sander.

Forget the karate Kid crap of arm exercise. Get a good random orbital sander. One of the 1/4 sheet models is a good place to start. Others are nice too.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... ,180,42337

Wimperdink wrote:

Kayak Jack wrote: Only power tool you really need - and BOY DO YOU REALLY NEED IT - is an orbital sander.

Forget the karate Kid crap of arm exercise. Get a good random orbital sander. One of the 1/4 sheet models is a good place to start. Others are nice too.

There's a walmart near and dear to me that is selling black n decker random orbital sanders at an amazing deal. They've got a whole endcap full of these things clearanced at $15 and included in the deal is 25 disks of various grits sand paper. We need to stock up and send them to jem for resale. They are cheaper than just buying 25 disks of sandpaper.

dang that is cheap!

Thanks, Matt. One egg beater on the way. I'm going to have to grow a third hand - this thing has three handles.

I think the long vertical one is for your forehead....then you don't need a laser to guide you.