Building an aluminum boat?

Has anyone on here ever built their own AL boat? I have a semi trailer repair shop with lots of metal working tools. Plate brake, shear, ironworker, plasma cutters, hi frequency AL welders, etc... None of it is CNC controlled though.

I have a 96 Bass Tracker and it's works okay but I'm a big guy and need a bigger boat for stability. Our lake is large and shallow so it gets rough in the wind. I want something 18-20 feet long with a 84" beam or so.

I have been kicking this around for a few months and I may bite the bullet and do it. I was wondering if there are any plans out there for building boats? We don't use AutoCad so if I build one each piece will have to be custom fitted.

Just looking for pointers or advice. Thanks.

Attachment 281083I built a wood boat once just to see if I could do it and still have it but not a aluminum one. I would think it would really not be a lots of difference and welding it would be a lots better as to being water proof. Here is a book on how to build a aluminum boat and this web site may have a plan that you may like.

Boatbuilding with Aluminum-Second Edition-boatdesign

Aluminum Construction-boatdesign

Here is a picture of the wood boat I built.
Attachment 281079Attachment 281080

Thanks for the info Scrat. Your boat looks good! I want to build a bass boat style. I found some plans online that look decent, I'll check out the ones you posted links to. Thanks.

Not to change the thread, but nice looking wood boat Scrat. I have always wanted to build a boat myself, but not sure it is worth it. I have 2 good aluminums sitting ready to go.

There is a guy in La. that is on the Classic Broncos website that has built several in a small home shop with less tools than you have and they look good and seem to run good as well. You might go to it and search boats in the off topic and contact him.
classicbroncos.com

There are a few guys in Michigan that build custom style boats (mostly river boats). There is one out of Seattle that builds some really awesome river/ocean boats, and a ton out of Alaska.

It sounds like a really awesome project. I've always been the person that can never find exactly what I want and usually have to build it myself. If I had the tools and the means to do it, I would be going your route as well. If you do decide to do this, it would be awesome to start a thread, take tones of photos, and keep everyone abreast of your progress. We all like to see projects like this!

Thanks for all the replies. I have found the boat I've been looking for, for a long time, so the build is on hold. Wicklunrh, one day I will take this project on, and I will post lots and lots of pictures as I go.

Jim Duckworth, crappie guide, and crappie video producer in Nashville area, has built a couple of aluminum boats for his own use.

Just wondering what boat did you find? Boat plans?

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

Thanks for all the replies. I have found the boat I've been looking for, for a long time, so the build is on hold. Wicklunrh, one day I will take this project on, and I will post lots and lots of pictures as I go.

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