Building not buying

[LiLSkipper]

Hello, I'm building the 18' corky, but modifying for a flat bottom.
Any suggestions???????

[Sailormann]

yeah - don't do it What do you want a flat bottom for ?

[Giulietta]

I don't understand if that boat is this http://hometown.aol.com/polytarp/corky.htm, what do you mean by flat bottom, how much flat do you want???

[CapnHand]

Measure twice.
Cut once.

[stonecutter]

I’ve built 4 boats (so far) a dingy, a day-sailor, a 26 ft sloop that took me to the Bahamas for 3 years and my current boat 36ft cutter. (Still building it boats are never finished..) My advice for the 2 cents worth is “don't do it unless you love to build it isn't cheaper in the long run”. The enjoyment is in the building, for some the enjoyment is in the sailing you have to choose. If you wish to enjoy your boat (on the hard or in the water) the price isn't a factor. Don’t change the design unless you have architect to advise you . You may make what seems to be a small change and discover a performance issue or you may get lucky. Most home builders don't have the purchasing power of a yacht manufacture to get the cheapest price or the resources for machining special parts..
Good luck
PS as I said I’ve built 4 boats and still haven’t found a cure for the illness , maybe I should start a 12 step program???

[cockeyedbob]

Aye stonecutter
I'm also on number four, a 38' steel cutter (not from a kit), all four hand crafted ... you're correct, it must be a disease ... I like the building but then I've been cockeyed for a lot of years ... when the weather's too crappy for building, I go sailing !

LiLSkipper ... modify if you want 'cause 18' not too much to cut up and haul to the dump ... best of luck to you ...

[US27inKS]

Originally Posted by CapnHand

Measure twice.
Cut once.

measure twice, cut once, shim it.

[stonecutter]

Originally Posted by US27inKS

measure twice, cut once, shim it.

I work in the film Industry and we have a lot of “cue cards” left over after a production .I would cut them up and make a paper boat first when I was satisfied with the fit I used the paper patterns to cut the steel or “TEAK”. I seldom screwed up the Teak this way. Paper is lighter than steel and easier to weld(hot glue).

[LiLSkipper]

Thanks 4 the advice, ! thing about building vs. buying, I dont have to have all the money up front, and I can customize to exactly what I want. Also I'm going for, low draft,flat bottom, becauseI'm moving back home to louisiana, and can double as a good swamp fisher(gotta get those FROGGGYS!!!!) And this gets me something to do with my son, and out of my wife's hair before she starts thinking of grusome things to do with my leftover bodyparts. hee-hee.

thanks again

[LiLSkipper]

Also the ability to look at it and say "hey, I did that!!!"
eventually, I'm going to build a 65' tri-hull and retire/charter early