Designing/building a boat
 

Just checking to see if anyone here knows how to design and build a boat. Probably a small 10-15' cat with an O/B or small 4cyl I/O. I do glass work but havent build anything from scratch. I would like to be able to design and make my own mold also and not buy one, mainly for the satisfaction once complete. I know it will be hard, atleast the first one, but something I have always thought about doing and had an interest in. Even if someone has arleady figured out a good design to go off of and decided against it.

What I need to know is how to design and make a mold. Then what are the proper steps to build the boat once the mold is ready. Thank you for any ideas and sugestions.

There is a guy in Jacksonville that owns a boat restoration business that has one of the old small cats the size you are looking for and is going to make a mold of it and sell them as hulls or turn-key. He goes by BoatClinic on this forum, I think.

Here is his link http://boatclinic.net/

Brandon, typically people create a boat, refine it and then build a mold from that. Brilliant people like Peter at Skater can design on paper and then build a mold and end up with a boat that works well. Skater is the only one I Know that draws it first, most everyone else to some extent starts by copying some part and modifies it to there liking. Good luck,it will take much confidence and persiverience to do.
Jim

Thank you guys. I will check them out, although I would like to design it also. I don't know. This could be something I strt on this winter or in two years, never know. I am pretty confident in myself and have the will to try it. If anyone else has ideas please let me know.

Mobilemercman, thanks again with the help on my threads on the gimble rings. Got the rings in the other day and drives put back on about an hour ago. Sitll haven't hooked up the tie bar inside the boat and the cable but it feels much better. Hopefully I will get to test runs it by wednesday (storms tonight and tomorrow) and have it ready before the shootout. Keepin' my fingers crossed.
Brandon

Brandon, You mentioned an inside tie bar, Do you have two bars one in and one out? There are things to check if thats the case.
Jim

Google Glen-L

Sparky, ViciousOne on OSO, has a very nice 17 cat and is selling the molds. Check out the link. I think you could get a good deal on the molds.

http://www.viciousmarine.com/vicious_052.htm

Yes, there is a tie bar running on the inside from the steering fork on each side? I think thats what you would call it, the part that goes around the top square of the pin that runs through the gimble ring, and a tie bar on the outside of the boat from 1 drive to the other. If you have other suggestions please let me know and I will check it all out before I lake test it. Thanks MMM, you have been alot of help!
Brandon

is there any good books out there on makeing molds and fiberglass boat layup. i am interested in this also.