Boatbuilding Tips and Tricks Blog

Here are my latest blog posts:

Saturday June 12, 2021

Ross Continues His Intercoastal Adventure in a Carolinian Dory

After spending a half-year delay after losing his grandfather, Ross' adventure continues down the Eastern Intercoastal Waterway from Hudson, New York to Florida. This duplicated the same trip his grandfather made 65 years ago. Here's what he just posted in his blog:

June 13th 2021 is the day all the hard work and planning will come to fruition. Long setbacks are past and adventure awaits. I'm traveling from New York to Florida (recreating the trip my Grandpa took in his teens) in my 18' homemade wooden boat. The boat is a Carolinian dory designed by Jeff Spira.

Last year, on September 1st 2020, I launched the boat with the same goal I have now: Make it to Florida and recreate my Grandfather's teenage adventure but our trip would be interrupted. My Dad and I started in Hudson, NY on the Hudson river and traveled south to Manasquan NJ when we learned my Grandpa had passed unexpectedly. The trip then had to be postponed and now, many months later, we take to the very water we left off, Manasquan NJ, to continue our journey south in Grandpa Jerry's remembrance.

My Grandpa did the trip when he was 16 in 1956 with three other friends on a modified coastguard life boat they named "Le Quatuor" (meaning foursome in French). I named my boat "Quatuor II" after his boat.

I've been charging camera and drone batteries and sorting all necessary essentials in preparation - fingers crossed I don't forget anything.

Some basic details about the boat: Ply on frame construction using 2x4's and 1/2" marine grade plywood with 2-6 layers (transom and bow have more) of six ounce fiberglass cloth filled in with West Systems epoxy. The deck of the boat is also fiberglassed. It has a 50hp Suzuki outboard which burns about 2.5 to 3 gallons an hour when on plane at about 18 knts.

The First leg of Ross' trip can be found here: https://spirainternational.com/tipsandtricks/2020/201003_ross_carolinian_new_york.html

Ross' Blog Page is here: http://therossadventures.com/

Ross Carolinian Dory Wood Boat Plans

Ross Carolinian Dory Wooden Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: 18' [5.5 M] Carolinian Carolina-style Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Tuesday June 8, 2021

David Dalton Launches His Rowing and Sailing Nova Scotian Dory in Virginia

David Dalton Launches His 16' [4.9 M] Nova Scotian Rowing and Sailing Grand Banks style dory. When asked how it performs he said:

Hi Jeff,

Here are a few photos of the finished Nova Scotian dory. My daughter & wife made a few short videos of the boat's first day on the water (rowing) and second day (under sail).

Thanks for the help in building. The plans were great and the videos posted by other builders were a great help.

Thanks Again,

David Dalton
Powhatan Virginia

Nova Scotian Grand Banks Dory Wood Boat Plans

Nova Scotian Grand Banks Dory Wood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Nova Scotian Grand Banks Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Sunday June 6, 2021

Jade Reti Launches His 19' [5.8 M] Galveston Garvey Dory in Gold Coast, Australia

Jade Reti put these pictures up on my Facebook Boat Builders group. When asked how it performs he said:

Planed real nice. The front rides high so it's pretty good in a decent chop. You get wet if you power straight into a big wave but I expected that from a square nosed punt. Jeff Spira did a real nice job on the design.

Galveston Garvey Dory Wood Boat Plans

Galveston Garvey Dory Wood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Galveston Garvey Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Saturday June 5, 2021

Beau Smith's Railbird Poling Skiff

Beau Smith just built another of my designs. This one a Railbird for his wife. I think I've created a monster, this is his third boat and he's about to start another!

Railbird Poling Skiff Wood Boat Plans

Railbird Poling Skiff Wood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Railbird Poling Skiff Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Wednesday June 2, 2021

Tyler White's Tillamook Pacific Power Dory in Tampa Florida

Tyler White just sent me these pictures and note:

It was June 1st 2020 that my son and I rented a storage unit and started construction of a Tillamook. We stretch the length with your guidance by a foot. Additionally, I wanted to keep the workboat look that I had seen on the Chesapeake bay, so I added Ax Handle steering. I took a basic stick steering and bolted on the wood handle. It is a great way to drive, very responsive.

Po-Boy was splashed in October. The Tillamook is a great fishing platform. We kept a large area open. It works well for throwing cast nets and accommodates 3-4 anglers. The flaired hull with the upturned bow takes the steep wind blown chop of Tampa Bay like a champ. Like most boats it doesn't like taking waves head-on but will quarter the waves with little pounding. Our 50HP pushes us around 23-25 mph with 12 gallons of fuel.

Tyler White
Tampa FL

Tillamook Pacific Power Dory Wood Boat Plans

Tillamook Pacific Power Dory Wooden Boat Plans

Tillamook Pacific Power Dory Plywood Boat Plans

Tillamook Pacific Power Dory Easy Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Tillamook Pacific Power Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Friday May 28, 2021

Dylan Lysaught Launches his Seneca Pacific Power Dory

I just got these pictures of Dylan Lysaught's 14' [4.3 M] Seneca Pacific Power dory. He did a great job!

Seneca Pacific Power Dory Wood Boat Plans

Seneca Pacific Power Dory Wooden Boat Plans

Seneca Pacific Power Dory Plywood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Seneca Pacific Power Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Monday May 24, 2021

John MacIsaac Completes His Bahia Mini-Panga in Canada

John MacIsaac posted these pics and comments in my FaceBook Boat Builder's group:

First time taking the Bahia out on the river in its final form. To transport the boat I can role the boat into the bed of my truck using some portable loading ramps. This can be done fairly easily by one person. The retractable wheels on the transom work great for launching and retrieving the boat, although it can be a bit of a workout pulling the boat up a long boat ramp. At some point I'll be getting a trailer through. The boat is quite stable, and I can stand and cast in calm water without any issues. The 9.9 four stroke gets the boat up on plane effortlessly, and is quite fuel efficient. As a first time boat builder Jeff's design and building methodology was quite easy to understand. Overall couldn't be happier with the how the boat turned out.

He added these interesting wheels, and uses his pickup to carry it to the water. Nice way to go.

Carolinian Dory Wood Boat Plans

Carolinian Dory Wooden Boat Plans

Carolinian Dory Plywood Boat Plans

Carolinian Dory Plywood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Bahia Mini-Panga Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Sunday May 23, 2021

Matt Bittingham Launches his Carolinian Dory in Delaware

Matt Bittingham sent me his review and these pictures of his Carolinian Dory:

Hey Jeff,
I bought your plans about 5 years ago and took a while to actually build it with hot summers and cold winters. I finished last spring 2020. I've got a 40hp 2 stroke that will push 2 people with gear just over 30 mph WOT. By myself it's hard to get to WOT with the 40. I see why you recommend the 25, LOL. The only thing I want to modify is to add some custom floation pods to the back for plaining and stability. I had to add a dol-fin to help plain and just switched to a 4 blade prop. It seems to help jump her up. I haven't GPS'ed the speed difference but probably lost a little top end which really isn't needed..

It's a great little bay boat. I fish Rehoboth Bay in DE and Indian River inlet. It can run at speed in less then a foot of water. It can get you a little wet in 1.5 ft sloppy bay chop, but they make gear for that. Over all. it's a great little boat. I would recommend electric tilt motor if going with anything bigger than a 25hp. It makes a world of difference. When I would look up speed and stuff online, most people haven't posted much. I wanted to let people know the speed with the 40hp.

Otherwise I love it. I've caught a couple hundred striped bass, flounder and bluefish last year. I had it the water for 6 months straight - no issues!.

Thanks,
Matt Brittingham

Carolinian Dory Wood Boat Plans

Carolinian Dory Wooden Boat Plans

Carolinian Dory Plywood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Carolinian Carolina-style Dory Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Friday May 21, 2021

Jason Eads Launches His Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat in Indiana

Jason Eads sent me this email and these pictures plus plenty of other construction photos. Let me know if you would like to see them:

Hi Jeff,
The boat is done and it sails great. We have had it on the water 4 times now and we really enjoy it. I do miss working on it so I think I will do another boat at some point. I'm going to get this one perfected first. Thanks it was a fun build.

I went all out with mahogany frames and poplar keelson and gunalls. I put walnut seats and trim. Also I used oak trim on the top of the gunalls attached with walnut dowels. The rudder and dagger are mahogany and cherry. The front is walnut and cherry. I made my own oars out of ash, cherry, and walnut.

Thanks again,
Jason Eads

Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat Wood Boat Plans

Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat Wooden Boat Plans

Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat Plywood Boat Plans

Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat Free Boat Plans

More information and free study prints may be found at: Aransas Rosslyn Sharpie Sailboat Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Thursday May 20, 2021

Yes, You Can Build a Boat - Adding Strakes Keels and Runner Strips Video

This video answers the common question, strakes, keels or runner strips, should I add them to my flay bottom boat? It'll tell you when and how.

More information and free study prints may be found at: List of All Available Wooden Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Saturday May 15, 2021

Mark Christianson Flipped Over His Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory

Mark Christianson just flipped over this 12-1/2' [3.8 M] Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory. It won't be long before he gets it in the water for some summer fun.

Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory Wood Boat Plans

Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory Wooden Boat Plans

More information and free study prints for the 12-1/2' [3.8 M] Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory may be found at: Cheyenne Pacific Power Dory Wood Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Tuesday May 12, 2021

Daniel Helft gets his Homebuilt Hudson Skiff Wet in Argentina

Daniel Helft just launched his 15' [4.6 M] Hudson Skiff in Argentina. They are he and his daughter at the helm in the photos.

Hudson Skiff Wood Boat Plans

Hudson Skiff Wooden Boat Plans

Hudson Skiff Plywood Boat Plans

More information and free study prints for the 15' [4.6 M] Hudson Skiff may be found at: Hudson Skiff Wood Boat Plans

Facebook Boatbuilders Group: Boat Building and Builders Facebook Group

Also check out my YouTube Channel: Spira Boats YouTube Channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the "Subscribe" button and bell to get notified when new videos are posted.

Jeff Spira, Naval Architect, marine engineer and boat designer

Share this post:


Complete Boatbuilding Tips and Tricks Blog Index for 2021


Boatbuilding Pictures

Boat Building Photos

Please don't be embarrassed to send in photos of your projects. I get a lot of emails from people who tell me about their build but never send any pictures. I'd love to see them, as would all of the other people who are either building a boat or thinking about it. They need all the encouragement they can get.

I believe in offering you all the information you need to learn more about how to build a boat. That's why I offer free videos, free ebooks, and free reports. There's even some free plans available to insiders and some seminars I've delivered. To join, just click below:

Download Free Plans for the Huntington Harbor Kayak

Blog Contents

Archives