| Boat building kits are ideal for the hobbyist builder | | | | It's always a wise investment to purchase a detailed |
| looking to get into constructing their first boat. It's often | | | | set of boat plans that come with step-by-step |
| best to start out with a canoe, kayak or a small | | | | instructions and detailed drawings will all the dimensions. |
| sailboat/rowboat in order to get familiar with the build | | | | It is possible to assemble a boat out of a book or |
| process and materials. | | | | magazine article, but working from plans, is that much |
| A lot of the boat kits are designed in the 'stitch and | | | | easier. |
| glue' or 'tack and tape' build method that uses sheet | | | | The construction time for these kits can range from |
| plywood and epoxy resin. These are the simplest and | | | | 20 to 25 hours for a 12' rowboat in 'stitch and glue' |
| cheapest to construct. The pre-cut plywood and | | | | method that requires no special woodworking skills or |
| epoxy-fiberglass kits often contain all the materials | | | | tools to 250 to 350 hours to fully construct a 22' Bay |
| necessary to construct and completely finish the boat. | | | | boat including all the fairing and painting. |
| The stitch and glue method is a process of using | | | | It's not necessary to be a master woodworker to |
| pre-cut marine ply panels to a precise size, which are | | | | follow the plans contained in one of the boat building |
| stitched or clamped together with the help of wire | | | | kits, but it can help to have some carpentry skills under |
| sutures or cable tires. The panels are than glued | | | | the belt. Even so, if someone's willing to put in the time |
| (epoxied) to bond and seal all parts and later coated | | | | and do some homework these kits are do-able by just |
| with a fiberglass tape. | | | | about anyone. |