JEM Watercraft

Uncle John's is a great first boat. With his method, it very easy to customize size, rocker, flare. The perfect starter boat for someone who likes to do it their way.

My pirogues are little more directed in the way you build and their final shape. Not as much ability to customize but they lock in some shape characteristics that work well together.

2 ways to get you to the same spot, the way you want to get there.

Thanks for all the imput. I'm really stuck on UJ's boat. I know it's a different technique. I'm hopeing the bookcase will help. If not I may be forced to also build one of Matt's pirogues . I've done a bit of woodworking in the past, it's the glass and epoxy that has me a little worried.
The other thing is finding marine ply within 200 miles. From what I've read none of you would suggest putting all this time and money into exterior ply would you?
RH

Hutch,

I tend to be prejudiced on this subject. Others delight in using cheap materials. I don't. My thoughts are that it is like economizing on a safety belt to be used climbing tall trees.

You can pat your self on the back once when buying something cheap and inferior, and kick yourself in the rear every time you have to use it. Or, you can kick yourself in the rear once the day you buy high quality goods, and pat yourself on the back with pride every time you get to use it. Your choice.

Some guys get away with using cheap stuff for a while; some guys pay a lot and still get stung once in a while. Nothing's perfect.

It has to be your call. I've used cheap stuff with ok results.

But the good stuff is much nicer. So much depends on the quality of ply you can get.

I made this one out of exterior grade, hardwood, bracing ply. I think Americans might call it Pacific Maple?

Very nice stuff to work with but it makes the boat a little heavier is all.



This one is Matt's Touring pirogue

Sorry I'm not getting back very quickly, we just had a storm front go thru and between the power blinking and the wind blowing a gail I can't keep the computer on line.
That is a beautiful looking boat Mick, as all of yours are.
I'll probably start of with some good exterior for my first pirgoue, meanwhile be trying to find a good source of marine ply for when I've got some experience under my belt.
RH
PS: Thanks again for all the info.