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Why Build?
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| Building rowboats for our rowing trip from Scotland to the Middle East |
Building your own boat from a kit is a satisfying and enjoyable process. You will have a clear understanding of how the boat is constructed, and easily be able to make repairs if needed.
Another significant benefit is cost. We sell our boats in kit form so that more people can enjoy the sport of rowing without spending a fortune. The cost of a kit boat is approximately 25% of a fully-manufactured boat.
How strong are kit boats?
Mahogany Ply/Epoxy construction is actually one of the highest quality methods of building a boat. The sandwich of resin, glass mat, and marine mahogany ply is durable, stiff, and lighter than most types of composite construction. It is not a common commercial process because it is more labour intensive than composite construction or roto-molding.
Who can build a kit boat?
You don’t need to be a carpenter or have special skills to build a boat. Anyone who is practical, has a basic grasp of hand tools and is able to follow instructions can build one of our boats. We provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. Our kits provide all the materials required to construct the boat, and the hull panels have been pre-cut with a precision CNC router.
The boats can be built in the space of a single-car garage, and only basic tools are required including a hand plane, drill, hand saw, tape measure, and C-clamps.
How long does it take to build?
Construction time varies from person to person. 80 hours should be sufficient for most to complete the Expedition Model, and about 50 hours for the Salamander. Four to six weekends will usually suffice.