How to Build a Sailboat

A sailboat is a craft designed to be propelled over water by harnessing wind power. It is one of the oldest and most ancient types of boats designed by man. The principle of its operation is simple. A sail is stretched and attached over the boat which captures wind and propels it forward, under its power. It is perhaps one of the most ingenious designs of a boat ever. Boating is a great way to relax and get away from the world, once in a while.

There is pride in building your own sailboat and there is a lot that you can get to learn in the process. Every man who dreams of being a sailor, must know the building of a sailboat, at least. It is a skill that will come in handy, if by any chance you are marooned on an island! Provided, island has trees, providing you with wood and you have a desire of getting back to civilization, as well as ingenuity to build one!

The procedure to build a boat could easily take a whole book. There are many types of sailboats and many ways to could build them. I will give a generic procedure for building a sailboat, but be aware that designing of every part of the sailboat may well take a whole article. So, though I am excruciatingly brief in presenting, I will give you an outline to build a sailboat. I will assume here that you know about boats and words like keel, hull, main sail make sense to you.

Sailboat Types

If you have been on any charter vacations, you will know what sailboats are like. Different designs of sailboats exist in various parts of the world. These sailboats are built according to purpose of use, availability of raw materials and of course where they will be sailed. Therefore their designs vary a lot. I will discuss, how to build a wooden sailboat. So here is a list of types of sailboats that you could refer to before deciding on what design to have for your own sailboat. Sailboats could be classified according to the hull configuration as

• Monohull
• Catamaran
• Trimaran

They can be classified according to keel type as

• Full
• Fin
• Wing
• Centerboard

According to overall design, many varying types of sailboats exist :

• Sloop
• Fractional Rig Sloop
• Cutters
• Catboats
• Ketches
• Schooner
• Yawl
• Dhoni
• Dinghy

Choose any one of these designs according to the purpose you want to use it for, which may be sport, fishing or recreation.

How to Build a Sailboat on Your Own?

Step 1: Designing
Designing is the most important part of building a sailboat and it will require thorough research. If you have practical experience of sailing, that will help you. Research and read as much as you can about designing of sailboats and boats in general. There are many books with illustrated diagrams that instruct you in sailboat building. Refer these books and take advice from a sailor who can give you a fair idea about the practicalities of building one. Many companies even supply you with ready-made kits for designing your sailboats, along with detailed plans.

Choose a design that suits your needs. The two important points to remember in designing is that the boat should achieve balance with speed, and of course, it should float! Start with the hull and keel design and move upwards. Draw detailed diagrams with measurements of your design. There are many ways to get this task done. Enjoy the process and make your designs as accurate as possible. A good elegant design finishes half of your job.

Step 2: Costing and Inventory
After you finish your design, it's time to make a list of all the raw materials you will require to build your boat. Make a thorough review of what all you need and make an inventory. You may gauge the total cost of the boat by adding up the market prices for each raw material and tool required. You may have to modify your design, if the total cost does not fit into your budget.

Step 3: Buying Wood and Other Raw Materials
Next step is preparing yourself for the building of the boat. Shop for the wood, the sail and other raw materials. You will also require carpentry tools and a dry dock or place for building your boat near the shore.

Step 4: Marking Measurements and Wood Shaping/Cutting
Once the raw materials are available, mark your measurements on the wood according to the design. First you will have to design hull and keel. Furnish them with care, as, if there are any mistakes, there is no way you could change them.

Step 5: Making The Sail Ready
Generally, a sailboat requires two sails, a main sail and a head sail. These two sails essentially trap the wind to power your boat in the water. The sail material should be tough, so that it does not tear under high wind pressure. Special type of fabrics, which can withstand high stress should be used. Stitch your sail and make it ready for attachment, according to design.

Step 5: Putting It All Together
The last step is putting it all together, to realize your dream design in actuality and then test it in water. Trust me, it is a very satisfying experience and you can't help but get a high when you sail in your own sailboat!

Building a sailboat is one of the most creative jobs, you could do over a summer.