"There is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

"There is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.": Looking for a project for the winter? Have some spare room and hand tools? Why not build a boat?

You can take classes at a school, or simply get started with plans online. Wooden Boat Magazine, Messing About In Boats and Duckworks Magazine can help you get started.



The two major methods are stitch-and-glue, in which wooden panels are "sewn" together with wire before epoxy is applied, and skin-on-frame, which is exactly as it sounds and can result in extremely light boats.



There are plans, parts kits, and pre-cut kits for all kinds of boats: kayaks, rowboats, canoes, sailboats, powerboats, dories and dinghies, yachts, daysailers,



Most home-built designed use wood (plywood) or fiberglass, but some people just use whatever they find...