If you’ve been dreaming of a boat of your own, there are several different ways you can go about building one. You can build a clinker-built boat, craft a PVC boat, or apply fiberglass or epoxy to the outside of your boat. There are even ways to add seats to your boat.
Building a clinker-built boat
The clinker-built boat is traditionally made from wooden planks that have been steam-bent. The timbers and ends of the strakes are then riveted together, and this is one way to build a boat. However, there are other methods of building a boat.
The first method is to construct a flat-bottomed boat from an aspen trunk. Unlike most modern boats, the clinker-built boat has elevated sides. To increase the capacity of the boat, more planks are installed on the hull. As the number of planks on the hull increases, the proportion of the trunk that forms the hull decreases. These planks are then held together with metal nails, thin tree roots, or leather strips.
During construction, planks of the hull are overlapped. This is known as lapstrake planking. It is also possible to use a plywood plank. But plywood boards are often too short for planking. It is a good idea to have a plank that is longer than the hull’s width.
Crafting a PVC boat
When crafting a PVC boat, quality is everything. Compared to an inflatable boat, which loses air over time, a PVC boat won’t lose its shape. Moreover, it won’t fall apart if you expose it to certain chemicals. Furthermore, unlike a rubber boat, a PVC boat is welded and will not deteriorate from exposure to water.
The first step is to measure the length and height of the boat. This is done by measuring the lowest point of the hull to the highest point. Once you know these measurements, multiply by two to get the total length and width. Finally, you need to figure out the amount of pipe you will need.
Both PVC and hypalon are good materials for making boats. They’re both relatively cheap, but hypalon is a bit more durable and UV-resistant. Both are easy to maintain. But be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from sharp objects.
Adding seats to a boat
Adding seats to a boat requires some basic knowledge of boat upholstery. To begin, you need to remove the old fabric and foam from the seat box. Next, you need to remove the temporary plastic edge protectors that come with the boat seats. After you remove the temporary plastic edge protectors, it is time to attach the new fabric to the seat frame. You can use upholstery fabric that is slightly larger than the top panel of the boat seats. Then, staple the fabric in place and trim any excess fabric.
Seating is an important part of boat design, especially on smaller boats. Proper seating will make a huge difference during long days at sea. Adding comfortable seats will make the ride a lot better for you, your family and your friends. If you plan on using your boat for a long time, you can buy some additional seats.
Boat seatbacks can be made from recycled wood or V-groove soffit panels. They should be tilted slightly to ensure proper support. If you’re using a wooden bench seat, make sure it is treated with UV protection and waterproofed. In a video by Om Fishing, you can see the steps of cutting, assembling and mounting a bench seat on a boat.
