Building a One Sheet Boat

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Browse Community Submit All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech Building a One sheet boat by Verga on July 28, 2010 Table of Contents License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Intro: Building a One sheet boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 step 1: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 step 2: Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 step 3: Cutting the Sides and Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 step 4: Side construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 step 5: Temporary Frame: Constructing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 step 6: Temporary frame: installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 step 7: Construct the stem and stern post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 step 8: Installing the Stem and Stern posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 step 9: Chine logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 step 10: Installing the Chine logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 step 11: Marking and cutting the Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 step 12: Install and sand the bottom to fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 step 13: Gunwales and inwales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 step 14: Making the Thwarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 step 15: Installing the Thwarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 step 16: Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 step 17: Test her out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Transcript of Building a One Sheet Boat

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

Home   Sign Up!   Browse   Community   Submit   All     Art     Craft     Food     Games     Green     Home     Kids     Life     Music     Offbeat     Outdoors     Pets     Photo     Ride     Science     TechBuilding a One sheet boatby Verga on July 28, 2010Table of Contents

License:   Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Intro:   Building a One sheet boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1:   Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 2:   Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3:   Cutting the Sides and Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 4:   Side construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 5:   Temporary Frame: Constructing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 6:   Temporary frame: installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 7:   Construct the stem and stern post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 8:   Installing the Stem and Stern posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 9:   Chine logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 10:   Installing the Chine logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 11:   Marking and cutting the Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 12:   Install and sand the bottom to fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

step 13:   Gunwales and inwales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 14:   Making the Thwarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 15:   Installing the Thwarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

step 16:   Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

step 17:   Test her out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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License:   Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)

Intro:  Building a One sheet boatWarning: Woodworking is inherently dangerous. You are using sharp tools some of them spinning at large RPM's. You need to be wearing eye protection at all times,hearing protection as needed and because you are going to be working on some very small pieces you must use a push stick. Niether I or Instructables bear anyresponsibility if you do something stupid, lose focus, act carelessly, or recklessly.The same can be said about boating, you should be wearing a life vest anytime you are in a boat and always acting in a safe manner.The town I live in has a boat building/ racing contest every year. The challenge to this contest is the materials you are allowed to use as well as the ones you are not.

The materials include:1) 1 sheet of Plywood (any thinckness)  2) 2 8 foot long 2X4's3) 1 Roll of Duct tape (Essential for almost everything I build)4) 1 Lbs of fasteners (I chose 1X6 rough thread drywall screws)

You are not allowed to use Glue, Epoxy, Chaulk, Silicone... In short NO adhesives at all.The boats may be decorated with paint and will also be judged on theme and appearance.

I had paint laying around so my total cash outlay was less then $50Here is a link tot he Yahoo groups that I got the plan / desgn from along with some great advice. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/onesheetwonders/

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step 1: Materials1) 1 4'X 8' sheet of 1/4 inch B/C grade plywood2) 2 8" 2x4's (As few knots and a straight as possible, Yeah, Yeah I know) If you are not entering a contest like I was you might want to  get a knot free 1x4 for the chinelogs.3) 1 Roll of Duct tape. (Once again if you are not entering a contest like I did get yourself some waterproof adhesive, chaulk and maybe some fiberglass tape and resinfor the seams.)4) 1 Lbs of fasteners, I used about 1/2 lb of 1"x6 coarse thread drywall screws. I f you can get 3/4 inch that will be great for the Chines and Gunwales  and Iwales(Pronouned gunnel and innel).5) You will also need a scrap piece of wood 32" x12" that you will use for a removable form

step 2: ToolsHere is a list of the tools I used:1) Jig Saw/ portable scroll saw2 ) Battery powered drill3)  Belt Sander4)  Circular saw5) Hand plane 6) Adjustable artist triangle7) Drill and countersink set including #6 Drill and Phillips head bit.8) Squares ( I used a Try Square, and a Framing square. but you can use a straight edge instead of the framing square)9) Tape measure 10) Clamps- as many as you can get your hands on, there is no such thing as to many clamps.11) Disc Finish Sander12) Back sawNot pictured:8'+ Straight edgeProtractorBand sawTable saw

Image Notes1. 1 portable jig saw2. 2) Electric Drill3. 3) Belt Sander4. Circular saw

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5. 5) Hand Plane6. 6) Adjustable triangle7. 7) Drill countersink set8. 8) Combination square9. 9) Tape measure10. 10) Parallel Clamp11. 11) Disc Sander12. 12) Hand saw

step 3: Cutting the Sides and BottomUse the Tape measure and measure in from each of the side factory edges 12". Do it on both sides and both ends. I marked it using a sharpie so it would show up in thepictures. Next set it on top of the 2 2x4's leaveing a gap of 3-4 inches.

Set your Circular saw so that it just cuts through your ply and does not cut into your work surface.

Run it down both lines so that you have two strips 12 inches wide and 1 piece that is about 23 1/2 inches wide (You wil need to measure yours for the next step).

step 4: Side constructionOnce the sidies are completed butt the 8" factory edges up agaisnt each other. For the Stern you want to measure in 2" and for the Bow (Stem) 3". While they are stillbutted together measure  down the length 48" . Use a square to mark the centerline.Next cut out the out the stern and bow triangles. At this point I suggest marking the sides so that you end up with both sides matching when you install them.Set them aside for now 

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step 5: Temporary Frame: ConstructingThe purpose of the frame is to hold the sides in place so that you can add the Stem and Stern pieces, Chine logs, and finally the Bottom (You can also leave it in place toinstall the Gunwales and Thwarts as I did).The first step is the measurement of the bottom width as I mentioned in the previous step. this is obviously the maximum width you can have. I subtracted about an extrainch to account for the (2) 1/4 inch thick sides and I wanted about a 1/4 inch over hang on both sides for margin of error.The plan I used called for the maximun width at the top to be 32 inches, but I felt that would torture the plywood just a little to much for my taste so I reduced that by alittle over an inch (Use your own judgement here).My final dimensions ended up with the top at 30 3/4 inch, base at 22 1/2 and the height of 12 inches. There are two ways to determine the angle to cut this to on the tablesaw. You can either use the adjustable triangle or set it on top of the saw and line it up with the miter slot. Loosen the miter guage and slide it up to the frame and lock theangle into place. (You will want to save one of the triangles you cut to set the blade tilt for your chine logs.)Next you want to notch all four corners. the ones at the Bottom are going to be 1" tall and 2" wide. This gives you clearance for the chine logs. The top ones are going tobe about 1/2 inch wide and about 2" tall for installing the gunwales ( I didn't cut out the gunwales notches and had to remove my frame cut them out and reinstall theframe, save this step and cut them out ahead of time).I cut mine out with a band saw but you could use a hand saw or jig saw.

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step 6: Temporary frame: installationPlace your frame on a work surface so that it is vertical with the bottom facing up.Grab either side. You want the Factory edge to be flush with the bottom.Drill two holes right on the line you drew in step 4. Make sure that the holes do not go through where you are going to install the chines and gunwales. Center the line onthe frame and use your electric drill to screw into place.Repeat on the other side.At this point to need to take a measurement for the tapers on the stem and stern post.Bring the sides together at either end (The measurement is close enough that you  only need to do one end.If you have a helper have them hold both pieces together. Set a piece of scrap wood on your boat as in the picture. Reach underneath and trace the angle.I didn't have a helper so I opend up a parallel clampand bent the sides to stay in the jaws, with out putting preasure on them (see the finalk picture below).

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step 7: Construct the stem and stern postMake sure that you use a push stick for this operation.Take on of the 2x4's and cut off a piece approximately 14 inches long.Rip this down the center so that you have 2 pieces 1 1/2 inches square by about 14 inches long.Set you table saw to a 45 degree angle and rip both pieces. I intentially did not have the angle come to a point (The purpose of the 45 degrees is that it gives you asquare. edge to keep on the table top and rip fence)Next I used a protractor to measure angle you created on the scrap piece from the previous step. Mine was about 40 degrees so I settled on a dimension of 20 degreesas a nice round number. Now you need to set your saw angle To give myself the widest base to saw with I set in on the 45 degree angle and used the adjustable triangle a seen below.You will notice that once again I didn't want the angle to come to a perfect point. I tried to leave about 3/16ths per side as you can see in the last picture below.

step 8: Installing the Stem and Stern postsTake either post and clamp it to one side of the boat. You want to have some over hang at both the top and bottom. Drill and screw this into place. Bring the other sideinto place and make sure that both sides are level. If you have a helper great, if not it is back to the clamps. (If you are using Adhesive apply it to each side prior toinstallation)

Repeat this step at the other end so that it looks like the final picture below.

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step 9: Chine logsMake sure you are using a push stick for this operation.Find the 2x4 with the least knots and rip off a piece 8 ft long by about 3/4 in thick. Find the center of piece from both edges and mark a cross on it. Laying the 1 1/2 widepart on the table use the scrap triangle from step 5 and run an angled line through the center of the cross.Set the blade angle witht he same triangle.Place the 3/4 edge up against he saw fence and eye it up so that you will be cutting right through the line you just made. You want this to be a centered as possible tothat both pieces are identical.

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step 10: Installing the Chine logsTake the chine logs you made in the last step.Use your adjustable triangle to measure the angle between the the stempost and the interior side. Mark this and cut the angle with either the hand saw or the band saw.You are going to install these with the widest part down. Clamp this piece at one end  SLOWLY and CAREFULLY work your way around, installing clamps every coupleof inches. if you hear cracking, that is a bod thing and you are goiong to fast. Some people wet these down before hand or even steam them, but if you are working with very small knots and are very careful you should not need to. The secondpictures shows my clamps installed with the first chine. When you get near the end you will need to cut it to final length. Mark it with a pencil eyeing up the angle and usethe hand saw to cut it to size. (If you are using Adhesive apply it to each side prior to installation)Be careful one of my chines had a large knot and now let's just say I have a spare chine laying around for a future boat.Some one suggested that I install the screws every two inches. This seemed like over kill to me since I knew that I was going to be installing a Gunwale on the outside.I pre-drilled and counter sunk each screw as I went along about every 4 inches or so and installed them as I went along as well. It is a good idea to remove the clampswhile you are working to see if you need additional screws.When you are done you will see that the chine logs stick up above the sides at the ends and should be level at the frame (See picture below)Use a handplane or sander to make these level. use the straight edge and do both sides at the same time. 

step 11: Marking and cutting the BottomPlace the bottom on the sides so that one end is butted up to either the stem or stern post.  Mark the center of the end and screw the bottom to the post. Mark the endthat you started with on both the post and the bottom so that you can make sure to reinstall it the same way (You can see the 'C" that I used for mine).Move to the temporary frame and make a line across the bottom using the lines on the side as references. Drill  and screw 1-3 places here. Move to the other end andscrew this to the other post. You may need to measure in from the end as there will be about a 1 foot over hang.At this point you can trace around the outside while it is inverted or if you are feeling up to it flipping it over. It doesn't make any difference which way you do it.Remove all the screws and you will have a perfect outline of the bottom shape.Take your portable jig saw and begin cutting outside the line. How much outside depends on how lucky you feel. I left between 1/4 and 3/8th inch. 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

step 12: Install and sand the bottom to fit(At this point if you are using adhesive apply it carfully to the Chine logs and edges of the sides)Start at your origin hole and reinstall the placement screws trying to make sure that you get them back into the original holes so that everything lines up.Moving around the boat install screws every 3 inches or so. Once this is done you can either use the hand plane or belt sander to make the bottom and sides flush Seethe second photo below 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

step 13: Gunwales and inwalesThe Gunwales serve the strengthen the sides at the the Top and Bottom, and an Inwale on the top on the inside.To make sure that I was not going to hit any of the screws holding the Chine logs in place at each chine screw location I made a tick mark on the bottom with a pencil(You can see this in the first picture).I cut each (6) of the Guwales and Inwales from the rest of the 8 ft 2x4. Each one should be just over 1/4 inch in thickness and 1 1/2 inch wide.Mark the center (4 foot) of each Gunwale and Inwale.(If you are using Adhesive apply it to each Gunnel prior to installation)With the boat inverted (Bottom up) begin working from the center out drilling and screwing as you go. By the time you  get to the end you should have about 2-3 incheshanging over, cut this off flush to end with your hand saw.Go back to the center and work to the other end and repeat on the other side.Next come the top Gunwales and Inwales.Flip the boat over so that the top is up again. You will need to trim the Inwales the same way you trimmed the Chine Logs in step #9 if they are a little short (As mine are)it doesn't really matter.(If you are using Adhesive apply it to each Gunwale and Inwale prior to installation)Once this trimming is done clamp the Gunwales and Inwales together at the center. I moved the clamps as I moved toward each end. My screws were to long, so as youcan see in the second picture I put them in at an angle. If you are able to buy the 3/4 inch ones and you cut your Gunwales and Inwales over 1/4 inch thick you should nothave the problem, The alternative is to drive them straight in and grind them off after they are all done.

step 14: Making the ThwartsTo make sure that the boat keeps its shape you need to install to thwarts a little less than 1/3 of the distance from each end.I measured along each side 32 inches from the stem and stern and made a tick mark (The tick mark is vissible in the first picture of step #15). Then measure across theboat at those points. Mine was about 24 inches. I then layed the thwart acorss the Beam (Top) so that  they over hang just slightlyand traced the curve, at both ends ofthe thwart. Cut this on the Band saw. Next turn the thwart on its edge and mark a line that goes right down the center as  in the second picture below (I made the line verydark so that it would show up in the picture). Being very careful resaw the stock on the Band saw, It will end up being about 5/8ths of an inch thick. It is much easier tosand this before you install them.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

step 15: Installing the ThwartsAt this point you want to put a clamp at each of the tick marks you made for the thwarts. make sure they extend about 3/4 of an inch below the Inwales as shown in thefirst picture. You may have to twist the thwarts a bit to  get them installed so be careful.(If you are using Adhesive apply it to each end prior to installation)Once they are in place go to the outside of the boat and drill 3 holes about  5/16ths of an inch from the Gunwale, drill and countersink. I installed two screws and themremoved the clamp to install the third. At this point you can remove the temporary frame.You can see the installed Thwarts in the third picture adn also several strips that I installed to cover up the holes made from the Frame installation

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

step 16: PaintingNow is the time to let your imagination run wild you need to come up with a great name and a paint job to match it. I coated all the seams with several coats of latex paintto fill in gaps and seal up any areas that might have leaks. 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

step 17: Test her outTook her to the quarry this morning and she works like a dream. No leaking at all. I do have to repaint the bottom because i didn't prep the previous coat enough. TheKayak Paddle works great and she tracks pretty well for such a small boat.

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

AdvertisementsComments50 comments Add Comment view all 52 comments

 thenickp says:  Aug 26, 2010. 4:41 AM  REPLYVery nice job Verga! I have a question I hope you can answer and forgive me if the terminology is not correct. Could I square off the back of the boat - makeabout a one foot wide transom and use an electric motor with this design? I'm sorry if this has been asked already, but I couldn't find it... thank you!!!

 msil3070 says:  Sep 12, 2010. 5:31 PM  REPLYHi, I did exactly that with this design with the thought of adding a small electric outboard on the back. I already had it from on old canoe..

I also squared and changed the angle on the bow, put a keel strip, made it a bit wider and lowered the thwarts so my kids could sit on them ..

Sadly It was dangerously "tippy" and we didnt even try the outboard.In the end we just added some rollocks and have been happily and safely rowing on our local river ever since. Here's a pic of my son....Cheers

 thenickp says:  Sep 13, 2010. 5:05 AM  REPLYThanks for the feedback. It looks like you did exactly what I thought about doing - sounds like you saved me a lot of unnecessary work. Thanks againand the boat (and your son) look great!!! ATB, Nick

 Verga says:  Sep 13, 2010. 2:05 AM  REPLYWOW very nice job and he looks like he is having a blast!

 Verga says:  Aug 26, 2010. 7:29 AM  REPLYYou might be able to, if you go tot he "One sheet wonders" yahoo forum they have several designs with a squared back. This boat is very tippy and withme in it. there is only about 6" of freeboard on the side. I weigh about 200lbs

 thenickp says:  Sep 13, 2010. 5:08 AM  REPLYThanks Verga... you confirmed my fears (I'm about 215) so I may have to go to a "two sheet wonder"... all the best my friend, Nick

 mr.incredible says:  Aug 24, 2010. 6:56 PM  REPLYBeautiful and simple. Great 'ible. 5/5

A keel strip about an inch thick by 3 inches wide, would help a lot with tracking. It would also help with the strength of the bottom.

I might adapt your design to an outrigger sail boat for my kids to play with. I will however use caulking and a little stronger gunal bands. I don't have to followyour race rules. :-) 

 agis68 says:  Aug 16, 2010. 3:58 AM  REPLYnice job well executed for sure 5/5. This boat is ideal for calm waters like lakes. Do you have any recommendation for sea waters? Any change to shape?any idea?

 theburn7 says:  Aug 23, 2010. 7:19 PM  REPLYyou wouldn't want a small boat like this on the ocean. If you did, it would have to have cover from water getting in like a kayak, and I recommend filling itwith Styrofoam so it can float.

 agis68 says:  Aug 24, 2010. 12:07 PM  REPLYand maybe a V shape at bottom....

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

 Verga says:  Aug 21, 2010. 10:38 AM  REPLYI took first place in my age group and first place over all. I will a couple of additonal pictures

 lazarus441 says:  Aug 18, 2010. 11:54 AM  REPLYHello Vegra, could you please be so kind and let me know the "metric" sizes for the "step 1 materials" And please explain what "B/C grade plywood" isThanks you

 dread says:  Aug 20, 2010. 1:42 AM  REPLYThis is the standard American grading system for "select" softwood lumber (US Dept of Commerce ratings / standards). B/C is lumber that falls into oneor the other of these two definitions (same system is used in Canada as a lot of softwood is exported to the US) B: "A few, small defects but nearlyperfect. Used for fine furniture, exposed cabinetry, trim, flooring." C: "Small tight knots. May be nearly perfect on one side. Used for most furniture,shelving, some trim and flooring."

 lazarus441 says:  Aug 21, 2010. 7:22 AM  REPLYThanks. two questions are still there:(1) 2 pieces 8" => (foot?)(2) 2x4's => (2 inch x 4 inch?)

No need for the metric sizes any more, i can convert them for myself

Mfg Lars

 Verga says:  Aug 21, 2010. 10:36 AM  REPLYYes the 2x4's are 2 inches (Actual size about 1 3/4 inch) and 4 inches (Actual size about 3 3/4 inch) by 8 ft long.

 pop88 says:  Aug 20, 2010. 3:44 PM  REPLYGood idea Good work

 the_greg says:  Aug 18, 2010. 2:08 AM  REPLYNice job - both boat and instructable. Did you use exterior / treated ply ?

 Verga says:  Aug 18, 2010. 8:37 AM  REPLYI used exterior 1/4 inch A/C, it was not treated. I was worried that it would need longer to dry than I had to build it.

 lordzion says:  Aug 16, 2010. 11:17 AM  REPLYI live in Penticton BC Canada and we had races every year the rules were the boat had to be made out of cardboard only and duck tape only and paint theboats were very creative and lasted for as long as two hours

 Wasagi says:  Aug 16, 2010. 8:35 AM  REPLYThis is Great!!! Did you win the competition?

 rowerwet says:  Aug 15, 2010. 6:37 AM  REPLYseeing this step makes we wonder did you consider a mouseboat? there is also a yahoo group for them, I have made 3 of them so far. there are no posts inthem just chine logs, though making enough chine logs from the one board could be a challenge. Just wondering and also if any one is being bit by the boatbug starting with a mouseboat is even easier, though you won't end up with such a "boaty" look when done as a mouse is a box. great "Ible" and a greatbuild log for the onesheetwonders, I got the email about this one.

 Verga says:  Aug 15, 2010. 5:50 PM  REPLYI did consider the mouse boats, but I know that the canoe design is faster than a blunted bow, and this is a race. I also have a lot more experiencebuilding this type of boat. I do like the pram design and might consider something like that for next year if this one is not stable enough for the race.

 rowerwet says:  Aug 16, 2010. 5:19 AM  REPLYunless you are in waves and rough water the mouse bow doesn't slow you down (or you are very heavy) the base of the bow is normally a few inchesabove the water line, the water just sees a nice curve under the bottom and back up at the stern. Let us know how the race goes, the canoe looksstable enough from the pictures you have, good luck!

 CameraBoy9 says:  Aug 15, 2010. 8:42 PM  REPLYI dont like the no glue or cocking rule

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

 mauricediplock says:  Aug 15, 2010. 9:14 AM  REPLYnice boat, I see your rules do not allow glue, why not coat mating surfaces with paint before screwing them together. Should give waterproof joints

 Verga says:  Aug 15, 2010. 5:54 PM  REPLYI actually considered that, but thatought it might violate the "spirit" of the rules, and since this si the first time I am entering I watned to be in strictcompliance. Also I am a cabinet maker by avocation and machinist by trade, so i am pretty good at fitting.

 Deke80 says:  Aug 15, 2010. 8:10 AM  REPLYnice I want one! what is the weigth of the one you made? I am thinking in the lines of madness and adding some straps and use the boat as a back pack anduse if for shorter hikes for fishing, would such be possible? nice anyway, thanks for sharing.

 Verga says:  Aug 15, 2010. 5:52 PM  REPLYI think it is around 30 lbs w/o the paddle, i will try and get a better number for you. I know that i can easily carry it on one shoulder.

 psymansays says:  Aug 15, 2010. 3:33 PM  REPLYI built my own boat (once) too, so I appreciate that you took the first trip into the water, prepared to get wet. My foray into boat-building was a truly ugly,square-ish inner-frame boat with a blue tarpaulin skin. The frame was built with 1x2" lumber, deck screw's, and two small sheets of plywood, and the skinwas stapled on. It held water with two passengers for the first ten minutes, then started leaking as the tarp began to come apart from the tension stresses.

 OldElvis says:  Aug 15, 2010. 8:00 AM  REPLYThe addition of a strip of wood might help it track more like a boat, and less like a kayak, If that is what you wanted. Looks good, nice project.

 alaskanbychoice says:  Aug 15, 2010. 7:23 AM  REPLYGreat Instructable and awesome job on everything thanks

 rowerwet says:  Aug 15, 2010. 6:40 AM  REPLYalso a mouse is about the most stable boat you can get from one sheet, my first two were for my kids.

 Verga says:  Aug 11, 2010. 2:48 PM  REPLYThank you all for your compliments and comments. Hre is a link tot he site that I got the design from. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/onesheetwonders/

 l8nite says:  Aug 14, 2010. 7:43 PM  REPLYI've been following your build via osw emails (dreamzpainter@aol) good luck in the competition

 Mohammad Faysal says:  Aug 13, 2010. 7:48 AM  REPLYIs this waterproof?

 Verga says:  Aug 14, 2010. 1:42 PM  REPLYI added step 17. I took her to the Quarry this morning and had the wife take a couple of shots.

 rickharris says:  Aug 14, 2010. 6:27 AM  REPLYIt's a boat - if it's not waterproof it would be a submarine!

 Verga says:  Aug 13, 2010. 3:03 PM  REPLYI am going to try and test it this weekend, If I have not psoted a more detailed reply by monday you will know that it is not

 crossfire says:  Aug 12, 2010. 6:53 PM  REPLYHow much weight can it hold?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-One-sheet-boat/

 Verga says:  Aug 13, 2010. 3:04 PM  REPLYThe Site that I got the design idea from said it should hold well over 230 lbs.

 Mohammad Faysal says:  Aug 13, 2010. 7:47 AM  REPLY1kg

 rickharris says:  Aug 14, 2010. 6:27 AM  REPLYI think 1 kg is a little on the low side!!The boat is roughly 2.2 mtr long and 0.4 mtr wide and 0.3 mtr deep so will displace roughly 0.56 cu mtr or 560 Kg. this is total displacement.

Realistically you can expect to carry about half of that - say 230 Kg or a good sized adult. and child.

A nice instructable reflecting the original design - well done.

 kmjsocket says:  Aug 12, 2010. 9:47 AM  REPLYhey that looks like my old highschool shop class in the back ground?

 Verga says:  Aug 13, 2010. 3:02 PM  REPLYIt is the Shop at the school I teach at, of course all of these "old time" shops do tend to look a lot alike.

 dwebb5 says:  Aug 12, 2010. 7:24 AM  REPLYVery well done. This looks very good. About 8 ft long I take it. Can you show a picture of the bottom?

 Verga says:  Aug 13, 2010. 3:00 PM  REPLYI added a picture of the inside and outside bottom. Hope that helps

 lennyb says:  Aug 12, 2010. 6:11 AM  REPLYvery well done

 l8nite says:  Aug 12, 2010. 3:59 AM  REPLYyou turned out a trim little craft and an ible 2b proud of !

 kenbob says:  Aug 11, 2010. 11:53 AM  REPLYadd action video - in the water! beautiful instructable!

 tigle says:  Aug 11, 2010. 11:17 AM  REPLYMi bueno el trabajo, quedó muy fuete, ya lo haz probado en el agua? cuales fueron los resultado? Por cierto tu seudonimo es muy particular en español.Eres de Maracaibo?

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