Saxe Point
Well-Known Member
Here is a direct link to the actual designer.
http://www.specmar.com/
The site posted is a guy that does cutting of the kit's. He has built a few Specmar hull's as well. He must have an arrangement with Specmar because the prices are the same. Seems like good pricing for the "flat pack" (cut pieces). I have an idea what freight is but don't know the logistics with duty etc. to get the kit across the border. Good information regardless. More research....
This is really interesting. I'm looking at building a Tolman skiff out of plywood and epoxy, but these pre-cut kits look really nice. But I've never welded anything before. Is it difficult to learn to do it well enough to weld one of these together? Has anyone built one of these and can share some info about difficulty and time involved?
I might be completely wrong about this, but in some ways welding one of these seems like it might be easier than building a plywood/epoxy boat. The ply/epoxy boat kits don't come with everything pre-cut. You still have to cut a lot of wood yourself, which can be challenging. Then working with epoxy and fibreglass has its own difficulties: you've got to watch temperature so building outside under a shelter can be tough. Epoxy is toxic and can be tough to mix correctly. There's a ton of sanding to do. Then painting. And you're basically using epoxy to weld the wood together with fillets, so it's a lot of work. You've got to basically coat the whole boat in fibreglass and epoxy and then paint.
If the alumimum kit is computer cut, it seems like you've just got to clamp the parts together and weld them. No epoxy, little to no sanding (I'm guessing), no paint. And what I've always liked about alumimum is the durability and basically no maintenance.
But is welding tough to learn and tough to do? I'm patient and I'd take my time.
Although totally self taught and strictly an amateur, I've learned enough carpentry to build a ply/epoxy stitch and glue boat. You don't need great skills, because epoxy is gap filling. Time and patience are key. Not trying to make money, just get a boat built.
Sculpin, I seem to recall your a professional welder. What do you think?
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