Thank you all for your comments. I don't mind doing alittle extra work to save some money. Specially since the wife has already given me 'that look' about this project. I know she'll change her mind once the first one is done though. At least I hope so.
In the mean time I'm trying to keep the cost down to a reasonable level since this is the first project. I'll go with luan and will probably go with the easiest of the builds for this first go around which means building the TP.
I really like the TPT as well and can see myself doing that one next. My son can inherit the TP. It's all a matter of how I enjoy the process of building which is just as important as the paddling in my mind.
Thank you all again...
H
Luan or no?
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Oldsparkey
- Design Reviewer
- Posts: 1272
- Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:08 am
- Type of boat I like: Wood boats .
- Location: Somewhere around Central Florida
- Contact:
It appears that most folks miss the big picture , You wanted to save on the cost of the wood , it does not require a rocket scientist to figure out which plywood is the one costing less.
Setting the cost of the wood aside , not even considering it , think about this.
What does the wood do , it makes the shape of the boat.
Now .... do you paddle the plywood as it sits there raw and plain , or do you saturate it and cover it with fiberglass ?
Gee ... If it is covered with fiberglass then the fiberglass protects the wood from the water and elements. Doesn't the glass do the same with the wood that cost 8 times more a sheet then the lower costing wood ?
I guess it is the same as driving a 73 VW Bug or driving a 08 Jag , prestige only because both protect you from the elements , deliver you to your destination but just in a different style.
1st time builder are better off with the Luann , goof up a cut and you need another sheet big deal $ 10.00 to $15.00 a sheet not $85.00. Not saying 1st time builders are the only ones that make mistakes.
My last build ( the 8th boat and 7th with Luann ) I got all the panels cut and realised the last cut of the panels was wrong ... Off to the lumber yard , $9.95 plus tax for a sheet and I was back in business.
That was the Freedom 15 , I made and it has paddled the rivers , lakes around here , the Everglades and out into the Gulf Of Mexico and still looks like new and paddles like a dream.
You would never know the wood was $9.95 a sheet that I made it from. In fact folks have trouble believing me when I tell them that , they think it cost a lot more.
$9.95 a sheet Luann , some ugly wood as you can see in this picture.
Chuck.
PS. Don't tell anyone but I actually got two sheets when I went back for more wood , figured I would make anouther bad cut and best to have a spare sheet of wood. I still have that 2nd full sheet of Luann. Thats it behind the bow in this picture.
Setting the cost of the wood aside , not even considering it , think about this.
What does the wood do , it makes the shape of the boat.
Now .... do you paddle the plywood as it sits there raw and plain , or do you saturate it and cover it with fiberglass ?
Gee ... If it is covered with fiberglass then the fiberglass protects the wood from the water and elements. Doesn't the glass do the same with the wood that cost 8 times more a sheet then the lower costing wood ?
I guess it is the same as driving a 73 VW Bug or driving a 08 Jag , prestige only because both protect you from the elements , deliver you to your destination but just in a different style.
1st time builder are better off with the Luann , goof up a cut and you need another sheet big deal $ 10.00 to $15.00 a sheet not $85.00. Not saying 1st time builders are the only ones that make mistakes.
My last build ( the 8th boat and 7th with Luann ) I got all the panels cut and realised the last cut of the panels was wrong ... Off to the lumber yard , $9.95 plus tax for a sheet and I was back in business.
That was the Freedom 15 , I made and it has paddled the rivers , lakes around here , the Everglades and out into the Gulf Of Mexico and still looks like new and paddles like a dream.
You would never know the wood was $9.95 a sheet that I made it from. In fact folks have trouble believing me when I tell them that , they think it cost a lot more.
$9.95 a sheet Luann , some ugly wood as you can see in this picture.
Chuck.
PS. Don't tell anyone but I actually got two sheets when I went back for more wood , figured I would make anouther bad cut and best to have a spare sheet of wood. I still have that 2nd full sheet of Luann. Thats it behind the bow in this picture.
Remember:
Amateurs built the Ark...... Professionals built the Titanic
Visit some fine paddlers at The Southern Paddler
Amateurs built the Ark...... Professionals built the Titanic
Visit some fine paddlers at The Southern Paddler
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jem
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4916
- Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:14 pm
- Type of boat I like: Wooden
- Location: Greensboro, NC
- Contact:
Good luan can be found. You just have to be diligent and hope the store doesn't run you out for tearing up their stack.
If I could find a source for reliable, quality exterior laun, I'd by an entire pallet of it.
Now I've used BS1088 okoume and also found a void. I raised heck with the vendor and they quickly sent me another full sheet that was perfect. These things just happen from time to time.
If I could find a source for reliable, quality exterior laun, I'd by an entire pallet of it.
Now I've used BS1088 okoume and also found a void. I raised heck with the vendor and they quickly sent me another full sheet that was perfect. These things just happen from time to time.
-Matt. Designer.
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hairymick
- Design Reviewer
- Posts: 1965
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:54 am
- Type of boat I like: <-- Please read instructions to the left and delete this text. Then, tell us what type boat you like! :-)
- Location: Queensland, Australia
- Contact:
G'day Hunter, and welcome aboard mate.
You can make a very good boat using the cheaper ply. There is a little more work to it is all.
I built the first few of my boats using stuff that we call "blonde" ply. it is similar to your luan and was 3mm or slightly less than 1/8' thick.
If I were to use this luan again, I think I would opt for 4mm thickness, simply because it is easier to work with than the real thin stuff and not that much heavier.
My point is this, I wouldn't get too hung up on the "quality" of your ply. My laker was build using utter rubbish. The stuff I had rejected for other builds - because of voids - delaminations etc. With a bit extra work, it turned out to be my favourite kayak, has copped a heck of a beating in the short time I have had it and has stood up to it remarkably well. I expect this boat to outlast me.
Build your boat mate, take your time on the epoxying and fibreglass and get it right and you will have no problems. Keep you boat under shelter when not using it and it will last a very long time. Even in the unlikely event that it fails in 5 or 10 or 15 years time (very unlikely IMHO) it will be an excuse to build another one.
You can make a very good boat using the cheaper ply. There is a little more work to it is all.
I built the first few of my boats using stuff that we call "blonde" ply. it is similar to your luan and was 3mm or slightly less than 1/8' thick.
If I were to use this luan again, I think I would opt for 4mm thickness, simply because it is easier to work with than the real thin stuff and not that much heavier.
My point is this, I wouldn't get too hung up on the "quality" of your ply. My laker was build using utter rubbish. The stuff I had rejected for other builds - because of voids - delaminations etc. With a bit extra work, it turned out to be my favourite kayak, has copped a heck of a beating in the short time I have had it and has stood up to it remarkably well. I expect this boat to outlast me.
Build your boat mate, take your time on the epoxying and fibreglass and get it right and you will have no problems. Keep you boat under shelter when not using it and it will last a very long time. Even in the unlikely event that it fails in 5 or 10 or 15 years time (very unlikely IMHO) it will be an excuse to build another one.
Regards,
Mick
JEMWATERCRAFT Swampgirl; Wadefish;Touring Pirogue;South Wind; P5 ;
Laker X 2, Sasquatch 16.5 T-V 15 Okwata 15:
Cobia 15 (under construction)
Mick
JEMWATERCRAFT Swampgirl; Wadefish;Touring Pirogue;South Wind; P5 ;
Laker X 2, Sasquatch 16.5 T-V 15 Okwata 15:
Cobia 15 (under construction)
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tx river rat
- Posts: 989
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- Location: Tx
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tw541
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:19 pm
- Type of boat I like: All boats
- Location: Mountain Home, Arkansas
I would like to add something about the Lowe's 5.2mm plywood. Don't expect it to to be 5.2mm!!! The plywood I used for my Swamp Girl was almost exactly the same thickness as the 4mm okoume I am using for the boats I am currently building, but I bought it as 5.2mm. I bought 6 sheets from Lowe's the other day that was also supposed to be 5.2mm. It is almost exactly the same thickness as the 6mm okoume I am also using. I think they buy whatever Chinese plywood they can get a good deal on and call it 5.2mm if it is anywhere between 4 and 6mm. 5.2mm is a generic description in my opinion. It's hit or miss on quality. It can be pretty good or it can be crap. Still a good choice if you pick through the stack. They are starting to get a little alarmed when they see me coming. I was informed by a kid that looked like he should be in school that I could not pick through the stack for the sheets I wanted. I told him to go get his manager, I had my sheets picked out and was gone before he returned. I have found that no one in one these type stores will argue if you stand your ground. In the past, I have opened a new bundle of plywood while the employees watched and wondered what to do. If I pay their prices, I will pick what I want. They will back down if you stand your ground.
On the other hand, I bought a DeWalt random orbital sander yesterday at the same store. It was bad and I took it back, they did not have another one, but gave me a more expensive model in it's place. That's why I keep going back.
On the other hand, I bought a DeWalt random orbital sander yesterday at the same store. It was bad and I took it back, they did not have another one, but gave me a more expensive model in it's place. That's why I keep going back.
Last edited by tw541 on Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
-
Oldsparkey
- Design Reviewer
- Posts: 1272
- Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 11:08 am
- Type of boat I like: Wood boats .
- Location: Somewhere around Central Florida
- Contact:
Like you , they hate to see me walking into the wood section , weather is is for plywood or trim molding for a boat or anything here at the house.
I guess I must have determined look on my face since no one has said anything but to ask if they can help me.
I like to pick on Home Depot , never have had much luck at Lowe's , usually strike out there.
For really thin plywood and top quality I like Prestige Lumber (a local lumber place) they have top notch stuff and don't mind if you dig threw the stack. Especially when I tell them it is for a boat.
Chuck.
I guess I must have determined look on my face since no one has said anything but to ask if they can help me.
I like to pick on Home Depot , never have had much luck at Lowe's , usually strike out there.
For really thin plywood and top quality I like Prestige Lumber (a local lumber place) they have top notch stuff and don't mind if you dig threw the stack. Especially when I tell them it is for a boat.
Chuck.
Remember:
Amateurs built the Ark...... Professionals built the Titanic
Visit some fine paddlers at The Southern Paddler
Amateurs built the Ark...... Professionals built the Titanic
Visit some fine paddlers at The Southern Paddler
My First Boat - Laker 13
Okay. I have been scouting out the posts. I want to build a Laker 13 as my first boat and I want to make my first boat "on the cheap". This is because I have been told I will build another boat. It seems everyone in here agrees you will make mistakes on your first boat. So ... if I buy the cheaper luan at $10 a sheet from Lowes/Home Depot I should be okay, provided I use the "flashlight method" to make sure I lay out my plans to cut around the voids. Also, it seems everyone is in agreement that you should glass the entire boat because you are using a cheaper material to build the boat.
So, have I missed anything?
Barry
So, have I missed anything?
Barry