by Oldragbaggers » Thu May 02, 2013 9:28 am
I am about 2 weeks away from completion of my teardrop (and my first camping trip) so of course my mind has turned already to my next project. I probably won't start it until next spring, but I am looking at building a cedar strip boat, either a dinghy type, about 10 feet, or a kayak (or 2, or a double).
I've got a lot of experience restoring old boats, but have never attempted one from the keel up. We're looking for something small/lightweight, that we can heave up onto the truck racks and take camping with us. The cedar strip method appeals because of the lightweight and pure beauty of it. It gives me an opportunity to work with wood, and hand tools, which is really enjoyable, almost therapeutic, for me. I have also read (repeatedly) that it is not difficult, just requires a lot of time and patience, and I possess both of those so I would like to give it a try.
For any of you that might have experience with this form of boat building, my question is, "how did you learn it?" Did you read about it? Watch someone else? Watch videos? Take a class? Buy a kit?
And, was it a good first effort, or did you have a project or two that ended up on the junk heap before you got it figured out?