(35 ft plywood 'V' hull low cost cruising catamaran
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Boatbuilding is one of the most ancient forms of craftsmanship still alive today. As long as our ancestors have had a curiosity about exploring open waters, they have been practicing and honing their boatbuilding skills.
To be honest, however, building a boat is no small task. It will require a lot of work and patience to ultimately create a finished product that you are happy with and that is actually seaworthy.
Of course, we have also included a few free boat plans. You can keep in your back pocket for the next time you are asked to build a cardboard boat as part of a contest or lakefront teambuilding adventure.
We hope that these resources help you in your journey to build your own boat!
Photo by SeventyFour via Shutterstock
The Handy Andy
The White Duck
The Crazy Cardboard Boat
Photo by Halsey via Shutterstock
There are a lot of reasons why you should explore building your own boat versus buying a pre-made model. Here is a quick breakdown of the most obvious benefits:
Of course, most first-time boatbuilders still experience some level of trial-and-error. With patience and perseverance, however, you can craft a one-of-a-kind vessel that has no equal anywhere in the world.
1. the wanigan.
PC Duckworks Boat Builders Supply
The Wanigan boat began as a garvey design, which is one of the older boat plans known to the Americas. Traditionally, these boats were built as work scows and were very popular among American summer camps.
The design itself is very simple, but these boats can carry heavy loads. It can also handle a trolling motor being mounted to the stern so you can cover more ground if you want to use it as a fishing boat.
The creator of this boat plan became aware of some of the downsides of the garvey design, such as the heavier weight that made it less efficient than some other designs. So he combined elements of dory and wanigan designs to create a hybrid.
The main changes include an enlarged beam, tilted lathes to provide a stiffer hull, and knocking off the top strakes to reduce the boat’s overall weight.
The Wanigan text
These additional The Wanigan drawings  may also prove useful for your build process!
The Mouse is one of the most compact and nimble boat plans we have found for this list. It is an easy build and also a great boat for two kids or a single teenage paddler.
The original builder began with a one-sheet boat design in an effort to create the lightest and most affordable boat possible. This means it is only suited for calm waters and should not be used in high winds or wavy conditions.
That said, it was built in roughly 12 to 24 hours of work time and doesn’t require a full workshop to construct. The main material that is required for building this boat is quarter-inch plywood. But the builder recommends using one-inch by half-inch pine or something a little sturdier.
The plywood and pine components are held together using a method called ”˜stitch and glue’. This method requires choosing one of the best glues for kayak outfitting , which are typically made of epoxy and glass tape rather than something cheaper like polyurethane.
The Mouse Instructions
Also, here are a few extra useful The Mouse Notes for builders
The Slipper is the first of many sailboat plans on our list and it is faster, easier, and cheaper to build than most. It also features a deeper cockpit than many other sailboat designs, which makes it safer for intermediate sailors.
This sailboat plan features dual steering stations so that you can sail from inside or outside of the helm. It also includes a centerboard trunk that hardly intrudes into the cabin at all. So that, it is easier to work around while you are in the cockpit.
The exterior hull and cabin of this sailboat feature a modified dory design using two sheets of plywood ripped to three feet wide before being joined together. The resulting hull is a modified V-shape that reduces drag.
The centerboard of this boat can also be winched up to the level of the top of the cabin or lowered down to alter the draft. This allows you to customize the boat design for a stiffer and more weather-worthy vessel if you need it.
The Slipper was also intentionally designed with an aft cabin that naturally helps to keep the bow pointed into the wind whether you are underway or the boat is anchored in the port.
The Building Slipper
PC DIY Wood Boat
The Handy Andy is a great little 10-foot portable rowboat for hunting, camping, fishing, and other recreational uses. It is actually the only folding boat design on our list, which makes it best for folks that need the most portable boat plan possible.
This boat features a 42-inch beam and a depth of about 15 inches at the mid-section. It also weighs roughly 80 pounds when assembled and can handle up to three average-sized human passengers.
The design boasts a flat bottom with canvas-bound edges and the primary material used for construction is ⅜-inch marine-grade plywood. Despite its lightweight nature, this rowboat can handle trolling motors or even outboard motors with a maximum of five horsepower.
Once finished, the hull can be folded or unfolded in less than a minute’s time.
This design makes it one of the only boats on this list that can be stored in a truck bed or easily carried by two people to be launched at more remote locations.
If you are looking for an all-purpose dinghy that can handle almost any use you might imagine, look no further than The Junior free boat plan. It can carry three or four average-sized adults and is much easier to row than a traditional dinghy.
It is also durable enough to be equipped with a small outboard motor. You could even set it up with sailing equipment if you want to use it as a sailing vessel. As we said, this is truly an all-around boat design!
This boat plan requires constructing three frames that will provide the majority of the load-bearing support. The builder recommends using ¾-inch framing with ⅜-inch plywood as the exterior material for this boat build.
Resin glue and flathead screws are also required to hold this boat together. But there is a full list of materials included in the plans we have linked to below. Sticking to that plan should also give you enough leftover materials to construct two six-foot oars for rowing this boat until you install a trolling motor or outboard motor down the line!
Channel your inner Captain Morgan when you are following these plans to build your very own Jolly Roger boat. This flat bottom boat design is designed for pond fishing . It can also be a useful yacht dinghy for getting from your dock to a larger vessel anchored offshore.
The plan follows conventional dinghy construction methods but also includes a few modifications that will save you time and energy. The wide design is super stable for boaters of all ages.
The keel, frame, chines, and risers are all cut from ¾-inch oak, ash, or any other trusted hardwood you can get your hands on. For the smaller components, the builder recommends using cedar, cypress, fir, or white or yellow pine.
Because this boat plan is also sturdy enough to handle a small motor, it includes important points for protecting the wooden hull from spark plug damage.
Be careful to follow these guidelines to build the safest boat possible if you imagine installing a motor down the line.
The Jollyroger
The Cork is another simple rowboat design. This one trends away from the flat bottom plans that we have included thus far. Instead, it features a deeper, V-shaped hull that makes it better suited to more efficient rowing and easier maneuverability.
It can be rowed easily from either seating position and is durable enough to handle up to three average-sized adult passengers. The ends of the boat are identical, which allows for multi-directional rowing.
The list of materials required for this boat plan should cost you between $30 and $50, depending on your location and hardware costs there. The resulting build is lightweight enough for two people to be carried and also to be transported on top of a vehicle .
Inside the boat, the builders use aluminum tubing to secure the struts that hold the seats. This material choice keeps the overall weight of the boat down while still adding the necessary rigidity across the beam of the boat.
The Hobie Cat is one of the most iconic and recognizable small sailing vessels ever made. This Hobby Kat plan is your answer to building your own iconic sailboat without spending thousands of dollars.
Your finished boat will be able to handle speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. It will be a super fun vessel for windy days on the lake or bay. The builder was able to construct the hulls, decking, and rudder for this boat while spending little more than $200.
From there, they purchased and installed the mast, boom, sail, and rigging, which brought the total amount spent to roughly $650 (still much less than a name-brand Hobie!). Without the mast and sail, this boat weighs roughly 165 pounds and is constructed using primarily 3/16-inch marine plywood.
You can also elect to build your own mast, boom, and sail if you have the time and skills to do so.
Those elements are not included in this boat plan, but they do offer some recommendations for where to buy these components!
The HobbyKat
Named after the common seabird found around the world, the Tern is a lightweight and nimble sailboat with a 72 square foot base design. She is made for inland sailing and planes very well in moderate breezes.
The hull design also provides minimal water resistance and the small floor plan makes this boat easier for intermediate sailors to handle. Even though it offers a small footprint, this boat is sturdy enough to handle up to four adult passengers.
One of the best things about this boat plan is that it can be built almost entirely by using only common hand tools.
Of course, you can speed things up if you have power tools and you are skilled enough to use them correctly.
The Tern boat plan includes a 20-foot mast, but you can shorten that length if you desire. The plan includes a complete list of materials and step-by-step instructions on how to plane and assemble each element.
As you might expect from its name alone, the Falcon is an incredibly speedy sailboat for its size. It boasts a 14-foot centerboard and can handle two to four passengers, depending on its size and weight.
In tests of the original build, the creators claim that this boat out-distanced many Snipe and Comet sailing vessels as well as pacing evenly alongside longer 18-foot sailboats. When finished, your boat will have a six-foot beam and a total weight of roughly 475 pounds.
For the main framing components, they recommend using white oak and plywood will be the main material used in the hull construction. The hull features a V-shaped that was inspired by larger schooners.
The Falcon is best suited to sailing on bays, lakes, and wide rivers. It is also a boat plan with just under 120 square feet of deck space and it is a great build for amateur craftsmen and sailors.
The White Duck is a flat-bottomed rowboat with a total length of 13’6” and a four-foot beam. The cockpit is approximately 15 inches deep all the way around and this boat can handle up to five passengers while maintaining buoyancy and stability.
When fully constructed, it will weigh roughly 200 pounds, but the final weight will depend on the type of lumber you choose for your build. This boat plan features plywood planking over solid wooden frames.
The White Duck is built with a pointed bow that cuts nicely through the water. The flat stern of this boat design will make it easy to attach a small outboard motor with a maximum of six horsepower.
As you might expect from its name, this rowboat is a great option for duck hunting trips. That being said, it is a highly versatile craft that can also be used for pond fishing or casual rowing on your nearby lake.
The Sea Midge is one of the smallest rowboats on our list and it is ideally suited for one average-sized rower or two small paddlers. It is only about 8 feet in length and offers a 52-inch beam at its widest point.
The Midge’s small dimensions make her ideal for navigating narrower creeks and streams. With an approximate weight of 62 pounds, she is easy to maneuver on the water and can also be much more easily transported than some of the larger boat plans on our list
The Seamidge
The Zephyr is a compact and speedy dinghy sailboat that measures roughly 14 feet long and approximately five feet across. This boat style was originally developed for safely crossing the English Channel. This means it can stand up well in rough waters.
When finished, it is also light enough to be transported on a small trailer or on top of a larger vehicle.
The boat plan calls for using hemlock or fir for the framing and oak or Douglas fir for the keel and chines.
The Gypsy is a small cruising sailboat that is meant to be equipped with an outboard motor for powered locomotion. The original design resulted in an incredibly seaworthy vessel that logged more than 6,000 nautical miles in her lifetime.
It includes a comfortable cabin that makes it well-suited for multi-day sailing adventures. This boat plan includes improvements on the original design that will help you build an extremely durable and long-lasting sailboat.
The Gypsy boat design will help you construct a vessel that can handle a motor up to 25 horsepower so that you can enjoy cruising speeds of up to nine miles per hour.
While it may require a bit more of an investment in time and money, it will also help you produce one of the best boats you can build with a free boat plan!
PC Saint Dominic Catholic School
Finally, let’s talk about a crazy cardboard boat plan that you can build in less than a day. This is a great boat plan to bookmark for your next teambuilding project so that you can earn bragging rights with your coworkers.
The plan calls for using 1.5 sheets of cardboard. But you can use the remaining half sheet to build your own boat paddle if you want to get creative.
Triple-thick cardboard is best for this boat plan. But you can always double up thinner sheets if that is all you can find.
These plans include an easy-to-follow diagram for marking, cutting, and folding the cardboard sheets to create the hull of your boat. From there, it calls for using contact cement and construction adhesive to seal the edges and corners.
If you are looking to save a little money on this build you could also use duct tape and then wrap the entire design in plastic sheeting to provide waterproof qualities.
Overall, this build is one of the cheapest and easiest on our list. It is also a great project for hot summer camp days on the lake or river!
Photo by Alexandra Soloviova via Shutterstock
We hope that you now have a couple of free boat plans to inspire you to begin your own construction project.
Don’t hesitate to check out YouTube for some useful boat-building videos when you are getting into the nitty-gritty of these build processes!
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Pete is the Owner of KayakHelp.com. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When he’s not out on the water, you can find him skiing in the mountains, reading his favorite books, and spending time with his family.
Check out my page on Advantages and disadvantages of multihulls
If you're planning a boatbuilding project you might like to check my boatbuilding resources. These are articles from my website and some outside links and build diaries.
Email me if a link is broken or if I've missed a boat. I try to keep my links good but things change quickly on the web.
I try to include most plans that I run across. I only exclude the ones that seem to be dubious, some are plagiarized or some just seem to be of terrible quality, or a website that includes pop-ups or other nasty things, that I don't dare include them. I have not personally checked all plans. Before building, do your homework.
There are a great number of large cruising catamaran and other multihull plans out there. I think one of the reason is that building a large catamaran is easier than building a cruising size keelboat. Many designers feel confident that the home builder has a good chance of success in putting together quite a competent multihull.
I have not included all the large multihull plans and kits I have found, nor have I included many of the home made single effort catamarans that are out there.
I try to be accurate and check my information, but mistakes happen. ALSO keep in mind that not all boat plans are well designed. Old Banks Dories are particularly tricky because they were notoriously unsteady until they had some weight in them. Check the boat forums, many people have built dories. I have not built these boats and I can't recommend or proscribe any.
Small print.
This information is for general knowledge and entertainment. If you plan to build a boat be careful. If you don't know how to use powertools get help.
Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans make it a reality to build your own catamaran or trimaran. Multi-hulled sailing vessels are a special class of boat. A very different mind set is required when thinking about sailing a multi hull, let alone getting your head around building one.
There are some unique challenges building a multi-hull sail boat, the extra beam added by each hull for instance can create storage issues while under construction. Hartley boat plans make the build process straight forward for even amateur builders. However with all things considered, building a multi can be an amazing journey.
Yacht design.
We provide stock boat plans for both monohull and multihull sailing vessels, including sailing skiffs and sharpies. Our designs mainly feature timber construction, in plywood or cedar strip plank composite construction, using the W.E.S.T. system (wood epoxy saturation technique). Our designs are intended mainly as cruising boats, although several have done well in racing. All designs are suitable for amateur boat builders.
multihulls , photos from our builders.
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Discussion in ' Boat Design ' started by Guest , Aug 21, 2001 .
i am looking for free design of a small catamaran about 6, up to 8 mtrs .powered with 2 outboard engines .I search all the "free design " of the site.
The only power catamaran plans that I have seen recently are from Glen-L and Ken Hankinson . http://www.glen-l.com/designs/outboard/jetcat.html http://www.glen-l.com/designs/outboard/aquacat.html http://www.glen-l.com/designs/outboard/hellcat.html http://boatdesigns.com/ search for bear cat and wildcats But there must be more. Are you looking for a high-performance catamaran, or a cruising catamaran? What kind of top speed are you looking for, and what are your requirements (cabin, accommodations, sleek, seaworthy?) Also, and please don't take this the wrong way, maybe you should invest money up front rather than looking for free plans. It seems if you are going to spend so much time and money building a boat, paying a little up front for a well-thought-out design makes more sense than trying to save a few pennies by using free plans and ending up with something which might not perform as you had hoped. Better to measure twice and cut once... get it planned out perfectly ahead of time with either the perfect plans (though I don’t know if they exist) or by finding a designer, spending the money and time in the concept phase and then saving materials and labor later to make up for it.
Also hunting for small speed (power catamaran) I've also been searching for the same thing. Basically a 20'-25' Power Catamaran. I'm interested in the speed not the cruising though. But I'm start to seriously think about having a designer do up some plans for me so that I get exactly what I want. Can anyone give a rough estimate of how much it should cost for me to get a designer to design a 20-25 foot power catamaran, fresh water, double inboard or outboard engines, able to play around in 4 foot waves, preferable fiber glass construction. I do not need any of the extras as this will be a weekend cottage boat only. Please let me know if you manage to find any plans
Cat designers I'd recommend checking out http://members.aol.com/SailDesign/private/scbweb/baykeepr.htm and talking to Steve Baker and his partner Richard Roake. If what you're contemplating is a fast tunnel hull you might also want to talk to Harry Schoell at www.pulsedrive.net If you want a moderate speed desplacement cat chack out my further remarks in this forum under "Catamaran Trawler Hull Profile." Good Luck!
another link You might also want to check out http://www.morrellimelvin.com/ There's more discussion in the powerboats forum under "multi-hull boats".
I have been developing a design for a 24-ft powercat for coastwise white-knuckle play. It is currently on hold while I am working with a client on two bluewater cruising designs. If you are interested in developing the design of the cat further and can wait until late fall or early winter for me to be off-contract, contact me at: Michael Mason, Designer Mason Marine Designs Inc. RR 1, 362 Lower Branch Road Bridgewater Nova Scotia Canada B4V 2V9 tel: 902-543-6424 fax: 902-543-2477 e-mail: [email protected]
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If you were to build a 40-foot (12.1-meter) catamaran, your cost of materials would range between 20-30% of the total cost. Therefore, for $300,000 total, the boat's materials would range between $60,000 and $90,000. The hull tends to range between 15-35% of the total build.
A new edition of The Coastal Passage has just been posted. Click on the image at right to download the PDF. Covid Cruising! From Tasmania to Greece with a boat built by the editor. For more information on this boat, see and check out The BareBones project. The $21,000, 30 foot+ Catamaran! "PLANS" NOW FREE!
Build your own mini catamaran, a guide for amateur builders. Building a small catamaran that can be used as a dinghy or even as a small dinghy: this is what this little booklet offers, with all the plans to help you achieve this. If you are tempted, Dominique will accompany you. Follow the guide! François-Xavier Ricardou Published on August 11 ...
Catamaran Stock Plans. ... NO time limit. Tri-Star designs are proven designs, sailing the seven seas since 1964. Free consultation is provided to the original non-professional builder till he or she is sailing the seven seas. ... TRI 26MT, CAT 27PC and the CAT 27. A DESIGN FEE for customer modifications to stock plans. CAT 14. Small, Fast ...
archie1492 Junior Member. Dear all, I want to create a detailed building information model for a 13 - 15 meter catamaran that is capable of being CNC cut and assembled. I need some help finding plans I can use as a basis of design. Specifically, I need the hull profile information. Section cuts through the hull will give me the ideal contours ...
ECO 55 Power Cat Plans. The ECO 55 power catamaran is an affordable DIY power catamaran. As the owner proved the boat is a capable coastal cruiser. The inside layout is the same as for the ECO55 sail version but the underwater shape is changed. The cockpit is wider and has a size of 1,45m x 2 m. With the bigger size normal deck chairs can be used.
PLANS & FULL SIZE PATTERNS FOR ALUMINUM STEEL or FIBERGLASS CONSTRUCTION. The CATAMARAN 65 MS was designed for personal use or charter work or as a people carrier and the accommodation was laid out with that in mind. There will be two basic layouts - personal arrangement as shown here plus an arrangement more suitable for charter use.
This yacht is definitely a case of the most boat for the least work and cost. The Coral Sea 25 is designed for safe, comfortable family sailing, with bunks for 4 in 2 seperate hulls. It also has a room for a portable toilet, small cabin lockers, and a huge cockpit for socializing. There is good sitting headroom in the hulls.
5M Rodcat Beach Catamaran Plans. The Rodcat 5 is a simple beach catamaran with asymmetric hulls. To make construction quick and easy, each hull is built up from a flat inboard side which is laid flat on a workbench. The transom and ply bulkheads are then fitted to this side and the pre-shaped bilge and side panels added and stitched together.
Step by step how to build a Catamaran. DIY small boat plans. Wooden boat plans. Videos of how I built a Catamaran - 40 ft. A 3 year. Home boat building. Step by step how to build a Catamaran. ... Get the Guide - Free. Tim Weston Boats. 2022©timwestonboats.com. Contact [email protected]
Order the Latest Design Portfolio today to see over 85 multihull plans in stock.Besides illustrating my stock designs, for which I sell study plans and full construction plans, it also contains my design philosophy of multihulls; an article on the rapid Cylinder Mold(pdf) or Cylinder-molding (in html) multihull construction; examples of drawing sets; photographs; fact sheets with dimensions ...
Large range of boat plans for Professional and Amateur construction. Plans include cruising and racing sailboats, powerboats, catamarans and even ocean going. Easy to build catamaran ideal for inexperienced amateur boat builders. ... free project. Little Nomad - 2.30 m (7.5 ft) sailing dinghy, tender. Caravela 2.5 - 2.55 m (8.4 ft) sailing ...
Free Boat Plans You Can Build This Week (with PDFs) 1. The Wanigan. PC Duckworks Boat Builders Supply. The Wanigan boat began as a garvey design, which is one of the older boat plans known to the Americas. Traditionally, these boats were built as work scows and were very popular among American summer camps.
Kurt Hughes has both large and small Catamarans and Trimaran plans. Sailing Catamarans has beach cats. Woods Designs has small and large boat plans; K-Designs has Little Tri sailing trimeran dinghy and others. Dudley Dix Yacht Design has a large cruising catamaran; Svenson's Free Boat PLans has an old Mechanix Illustrated Hobby Kat plans along ...
Genuine Hartley Boatplans and Samson Boatplans are only supplied by hartley-boats.com, New Zealand. Catamaran & Trimaran Boat Plans from Hartley Boats make it a reality to build your own multihull at home. Build with Plywood or Fibre Glass. 12-35 ft plans.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. Snail Mail: PO Box 900, Morayfield, Qld, 4510, Australia. Email: [email protected]. Mike Waller Yacht Design provides comprehensive boat plans for amateur boat builders. A range of stock plans are available for both monohulls and multihull vessels, constructed in plywood or timber / glass composite.
Free plans. To download the file, click HERE The hull This boat is intended as a lightweight pocket cruiser with easily driven lines and a traditionally inspired sailplan. The epoxy lapstrake hull is based on a proven US type.The design is a... Items 1 to 12 of 33 total. 1.
Construction Methods. Ply over frame and stitch and tape. Major plywood requirements for hull. 6 1/2 sheets of 6mm and 1 sheet of 9mm plywood. Guidance Use. 2-3 adults. Drawing/Design Package. 2 x A1 drawings + 4 x A4 instruction sheets. Additions and alterations included with the plans.
Also hunting for small speed (power catamaran) I've also been searching for the same thing. Basically a 20'-25' Power Catamaran. I'm interested in the speed not the cruising though. But I'm start to seriously think about having a designer do up some plans for me so that I get exactly what I want.
Ed Horstman designed TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN plans are drawn for the first time builder. ... sailing the seven seas since 1964. Free consultation is provided to the original non-professional builder till he or she is sailing the seven seas. All boats may be built with flared hulls, with the exception of the TRI 25, TRI 26MT, CAT 27PC and the CAT ...
The PortableBoatPlans "2012 Portable Boat Design Contest" is over for another year, and there were two winners (tied votes). The object of the contest was simple: Develop a concept for a small homemade boat that would appeal to many other amateur builders. This year the co-winners both provided a design for a catamaran hull platform boat, with some unique differences.
DUO 900 Plans For study plans click HERE The DUO 900 is a quick-to-build, open-bridge catamaran with asymmetrical hulls. The boat was designed for a French fighter pilot who lived in Argentina. His goal was to sail from Buenos Aires to Marseille. Looking...
Engines: Single outboard, though some versions have twin inboards. Price: Roughly $100,000. The Wharram Tiki is one of the best small catamarans for cruising. We have lusted after the Wharram catamarans since our adventures began and would have opted for one of these if we had found one for sale this side of the pond.