JEM Watercraft

GuinnesDraught wrote:Hi Mick
Newbie here...
I'm in love with the laker after going through your build reports on both your lakers and seeing the end result on this one.
I've been frequenting this site for quite sometime but was too skeptical of starting my own project since i have almost zero wood working skills and even worse fiberglassing knowledge.
In your honest opinion after a few pints you think an absolute amateur can get a laker built on their own?
I really really want to build one but have to start from scratch even with all the tools etc.
And the only familiarization i have with both plywood and glass material is though this site

If I may jump in... if you're worried about the learning curve, you might want to consider maybe the pirogue 14 or P500 or the boatshelf plans. Very simple and easy. Either will be a great learning tool.

Guinness Draft,

Tools can be all hand tools (except for a power sander) and simple.

A measuring stick or tape - preferably one with both inches and metric.

A hand drill - the egg beater kind (original cordless drill) http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/pr ... ts_id/1934

Assortment of small drill bits

A hand saw. I much prefer the Japanese hand saws with rip on one side and crosscut on the other. http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/ad ... ba&x=8&y=7

Common wire cutters (dikes) for nipping stove pipe wire

Common pliers for twisting wire - same pliers work for untwisting wire later on (do not need both Northern Hemisphere AND Southern Hemisphere pliers)

Carpenter's square (optional, but handy now and then)

Pencil, maybe 2. And a sharpener

Saw horses - purchase or local manufacture yourself

1 sheet of 1/2" plywood, ripped into 2' X 8' size

Assortment of clear, plastic cups for mixing epoxy

Laundry marker for marking ounces on side of 1 cup

Popsicle sticks for mixing epoxy (my Granddaughter will be glad to help you here)

A couple paper cups, waxed, for stripping epoxy from plastic scraper

Plastic scraper for removing excess epoxy (about 3" X 5" or so)

1 pair of utility scissors for cutting fiberglass cloth (do NO use your wife's sewing shears)

1 real good, random orbital sander and LOTS of sand paper. (This is THE power tool that you need. Others may speed you up as much as 5% - 15%. But don't produce any better quality work. A power sander is essential to your sanity.)

I know I've forgotten something, but this will get you started handsomely. Others will jump in. Listen to what they say.

GuinnesDraught wrote: And the only familiarization i have with both plywood and glass material is though this site

I'm not Mick but if you have ever made anything from wood , a model airplane , a boat , a birdhouse , anything you can make a real boat.

It is nothing more then wood and when together then glassed to protect the wood , it is not rocket science , just down to earth fun. This fun gives a person something to have even more fun with in the future.

You are not alone with your question , a lot of folks have asked the very same thing , some jumped in and made a boat while others procrastinated for longer , some for a few years. Only after they decided to make a boat did they learn how simple and how much fun it is and then proceeded to kick themselves for waiting so long.

The boat building bug bit them and so far no one has stopped after just one , they are like potato chips , you just can't have one.

Chuck.

I will put a couple more things in here
saw horses
jig saw
orbital sander
Tape measure
drill
these tools will get you started and add to as you go along
I had never bult a boat, worked with steel not wood in the past year I have built five its habit forming.
These guys on here will help you on any problem you have and Matt will also (opps Matt didn't mean you weren't a guy)
Ron

G'day Guinnes Draught, !!

And welcome aboard mate

I LOVE your username BTW.

Thank you for asking me mate - and for your very kind words.

I think a beginner could build the Laker but, as with anything, particularly so in a plywood and epoxy canoe or kayak, there is a fairly steep learning curve.

None of the stuff is difficult to learn however and is a heck of a lot of fun along the way. (I would call it as being so much fun that it is addictive)
What-ever boat you decide on does not need to be furnature quality to still be a very good boat.

Like Matt has said, Possibly a pirogue build first, would probably be the best way to go. This will give you a very good grounding in he build and fibreglassing processes and an understanding of what is involved. Again, none of it is hard to do. it just takes a little practise - is all. You only need two or at most 3 sheets of ply to build one and the value of the experience gained will far outweigh the costs.

In so doing, you will also have a very good boat to use while you are building your Laker.

I built a swampgirl as my first build and with hindsight, I wish I had attempted a pirogue first. I consider myself to be a fairly competent wood-worker but found out very quickly that I had a lot to learn. (still do)

Over the last couple of years, I have aquired a lot of tools to "help" me in my builds but I am a tool junky. Jacks list is a good one. You don't need a lot of high dollar tools or machines to build a very good boat.

At a minimum,

1. a good, flat work bench. (Jack's idea works well)

2. a set of measuring and marking istruments. tape, ruler etc.

3. Jig saw or Japanese pull panel saw (fine teeth)

4. Random Orbital sander (priceless)

5. Carbide blade scraper.

6. Lots of masking tape.

7. A small drill with a fer small bits. neither need to be flash.

Thiswill get you started. As you progress, you will find that you "need" other stuff but that is all to the good.

The important thing is to MAKE THE START. enjoy the build for what it is. (an opportunity to learn some completely new skills) and have a lot of fun along the way. Take your time and think about each step as you go and your boat will just "fall" together. easy

Please post piccies of your build adventure here. We will all join in and help with advice where we can. All you need to do is to make the start and the rest will come.

JT, I forgot to add:

If these guys agree with me, then they are right.

If, on the exceedingly small offhand chance, that one disagrees with me, then he is obviously deficient, and probably wrong.

Mick said the greatest piece of advice you can have here- MAKE THE START.

I was quite intimidated with my first kit. Walked around it a few weeks, agonized over it, considered sending it to someone to build, then drive a few hundred miles to get the product. All unnecessary. Once you start, it will be like eating peanuts - you cannot eat just one.

Mick
Thanks for the compliment on my screen name
Guinness is my favorite "adult beverage"

Thanks all for very supportive comments. this forum seems to be a nice family to belong to with all you guys supporting newbies and experts alike in getting their projects done

I'm fairly competent with tools etc and have worked with wood on simple non-pro manner.
I only got a bit intimidated if that's the word, after going through builders logs and seeing how competent our builders are and i'm no where near with my skills against them.
And the other thing that worried me was fibre handling skills... I've already contacted a friend who's into making bodykits for cars to get me in on fibre materials available locally. Hopefully that info will come soon

thanks all for providing the list of tools needed for a build. already have a japanese saw bought on ebay but need to get the sander and fiber glassing tools...

guess i'l have to just take the plunge and take things from there
thanks again guys for all the help. and sorry to have posted it in builders logs section

Hey GD
Am just a coupla steps ahead of you. My previous woodworking experience consists of building a few garden fences, fixing skirting boards and hanging a few doors. As a first time builder about a third... ok a quarter of the way into building a Laker. I'd like to add to the tool list, cost you a few dollars each, a wood rasp, surform or preferably a really cheap block plane.
If you have a router but are unsure of your capabilities regarding this tool leave it in the box. I didn't and now have a few holes to fill in
Secondly, don't even buy any fibreglass or epoxy until you're happy the wood you've cut up is gonna end up as a reasonable first attempt.
Thirdly do not treat the project as a race, these guys have honed their skills and made all the mistakes you are about to make. Patience or lack thereof will decide whether or not you are successful.
Oh add to the tool list, magnifying glass, tweezers 'cos you are about to enter a painful world of spells and splinters

thanks JTP
actually patience is not an issue as long as i have a few beers with me
I'm an avid angler and waiting for bites for hours at end has taught me to keep the faith and go on...and hopefully get some where too

I've also done a few household projects like making dog houses, sheds etc but after going through builders logs here and seeing some folks' skill level only i was take back

gotta get myself a jig saw and a power sander and see how i can use those before even touching the marine ply

I'm thinking of building the free version of the laker as my first project to test the water with minimum damage if that's the word

And a digital camera, because we like to see pictures on your build page.

john the pom wrote:As a first time builder about a third... ok a quarter of the way into building a Laker.

John, 1/4 of the way thru and you haven"t started a build page yet? Shame on you

DM