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Virtual Learning with our Online Courses
In this introductory course, you’ll get a clear overview of the foundational language used in boatbuilding. I’ll break them down in 5 lessons of common terms related to boat parts, structure and how to read line plans. By the end of this 30 minute course, you’ll understand how boatbuilders communicate, feel confident reading plans and be prepared to dive deeper into boatbuilding techniques and processes. This Course sets the groundwork for everything that follows, whether you’re a complete beginner or brushing up on the fundamentals.
Learn or refresh your knowledge of boat building vocabulary.
Books and Publications
If time is your biggest challenge, this book is your solution. The Weekend Boat Builder offers a practical, proven system designed specifically for busy enthusiasts. This guide breaks down the entire process into manageable weekend projects, with smart planning strategies, time-saving techniques, and realistic timelines that fit around your real life. Whether you're dreaming of a simple dinghy, elegant canoe, or small sailboat, you'll discover how to make consistent progress without overwhelming your schedule. Stop putting off your project start building, one weekend at a time.
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Plans & Drawings
Digital Download
Build your own professional grade custom sailboat trailer perfectly fitted for the Haven 12½ or similar small keel/centerboard boats such as the Somes Sound 12½.
Save $1,000 + compared to commercial trailers, customize fit for your exact hull, designed with proper weight balance and bunk geometry.
What you get:
Detail Shop Drawing
Link to Instructional Video
List of Part Suppliers (with links)
These detailed plans and accompanying video will guide your fabricator, from materials, selection of parts and list of suppliers.
As featured in S3-E17 of my YouTube channel documenting the build of the sailing dinghy Victoria, these Kick-Up Rudder Plans are designed for real backyard wooden boatbuilders. The design employs straightforward joinery, marine-grade materials, and shop-friendly tools to create a durable, reliable rudder that kicks up automatically in a second with the flick of a wrist. It resets smoothly, steers positively, and protects hours of hard-earned craftsmanship.
Full-Size Plans as Templates These plans are printed full-size, so you can use them directly as templates and patterns for cutting and shaping your components. No scaling, no math, just lay them on your material and trace.
These clear plans and practical details make this a rewarding build for your own home-built sailing dinghy.
Benefits
Proven on Victoria in real-world sailing
Saves your rudder when you hit the shallows
Built with simple woodworking methods
Easy to service, adjust, and repair
Perfect for DIY dinghies and small sailboats
No bungie cords or cables
Deploys and reacts in seconds
For builders who want maximum flexibility with the critical metal hardware, an optional set of 3D-printable hardware files is available as an add-on to these plans. These include the pintle, gudgeons, tiller and rudder head parts.
This package includes .STL files for the key metal components, allowing you to use modern 3D metal printing services to fabricate the parts in the metal of your choice. Stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, other alloys or composite are readily available through many online suppliers.
To explore fabrication options, simply search online for
“3D metal printing service”
to find a wide range of providers offering different materials, finishes, and price points.
For builders who prefer traditional methods, these same 3D prints can also be used as foundry patterns, making it easy to have the parts cast in classic bronze by a local or specialty foundry. This approach blends modern digital design with time-tested boatbuilding materials.
Whether you choose contemporary metal printing or traditional casting, this add-on gives you complete control over how your hardware is made—modern, classic, or somewhere in between.
Combined with the clear and practical details in Kick-Up Plans, this option makes for a flexible, rewarding build well suited to a home-built sailing dinghy.