how would u build a boat ?

[RGO]

ok boys need some ideas.
how would u build a cheap flat bottom jon boat.
I am disabled vet short on money and know how.

what would be cheap aluminum,tin or what would be good/cheap

what kind of welder could i use ? / cheap ?

the boat would need to be 16 foot and atleast 60 inchs across.

[Sonora Iron]

I think I’d be looking at marine grade plywood, and fiberglass.
Material cost is less, and tool up will be a whole lot less!

[fdcmiami]

if i were you i would buy a used boat.

[RGO]

man u taking all the fun out of it with wood.

what about strong barn tin ?
and a tig welder ?

40 years ago we made one out of pickup hoods worked great .

[Sonora Iron]

man u taking all the fun out of it with wood.

what about strong barn tin ?
and a tig welder ?

40 years ago we made one out of pickup hoods worked great .

You were the one wanting to do it on the cheap. There is nothing cheap / inexpensive about welding / metal fabrication!

To start with: I’d draw up my design; get a parts breakdown with measurements. Shop for the best price to have all the material sheared.
If you have your heart set on aluminum, look into a small 200-amp Mig machine with a spool gun.

[FusionKing]

All you have to do is order the material and cut out the correct shapes.
Tack it all together first and then weld it.
Your sizes chosen would be very nice. I would use .100 5052 aluminum.
You would be fine using the MM211 with the spoolgun.
You will probably have $2500-3000 invested by the time you are finished but when done you will still have the machine and can make more for you buddies.
Make 3 and you should be able to just about break even
Send pics as you go and keep us posted.
BTW.....B.O.A.T. stands for break out another thousand, so forget cheap altho what I have shown you would be resonable and strong as he!! if you can fabricate worth a hoot

[m.k.swelding]

if i were you i would buy a used boat.

I 2nd THAt

[aametalmaster]

Some links so they don't get lost or burried...Bob

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...d=1#post223505

[Fred Smith]

With out the Smart donkey reply,

there was a guy here a couple years ago that built a semi-flat bottom boat about 12-14 ft out of aluminum. He did a great job.

Boat hulls are actually a complex shape, in the class of airplane wings, maybe even more complex as they always curve in multiple directions.

I would suggest that a place to start would be find a boat you like and start from there.

Maybe as thought you may consider a steel frame with wood covering as wood is much easier to shape. With steel you'll have the age old rust issue though.

[Winger Ed.]

Cheapest?
Put the word out that you're looking for a old boat that doesn't run,
be patient, and people will give them to ya just for hauling them out of their yard.

Most will be fiberglass with a rotten floor & transom, and on trailers that have sunk into the ground.
But a couple sheets of plywood, new tires & a paint job-- ya got a boat.

I've also seen decent looking Alum. boats in the scrap yard.
They normally sell for about 1 & 1/2 times what the scrap dealer paid for them.

Another source is the auctions they have at the larger Goodwill stores.
I've seen old but quite 'fixable' boats sell for $1-200, trailer included.

.