| If you're researching plans for a homemade trimaran, | | | | that just because the plans call for "plywood" that it |
| then there is good news. Many good plans are | | | | means building the boat is going be "easier" than if a |
| available. And a good number were created by very | | | | wood is specified... like "cedar," for example. I know one |
| reputable multihull designers/builders. | | | | trimaran designer who says building boats with cedar |
| But before buying any of them, you need to know the | | | | strip plank is far easier and faster than using plywood |
| answers to some important questions: Exactly what | | | | with stitch and glue construction. For his particular tri |
| kind of boat do you want trimaran boat plans for? Are | | | | designs, it happens to be true. |
| you sure you want a plywood trimaran? Do you have | | | | Boat designers generally have a specific building |
| any experience with trimaran building in the past? Are | | | | method in mind when they draw up their plans. You're |
| there "study" trimaran plans for sale you can purchase | | | | going to want to learn about that method before |
| before paying a lot for the full set of plans? | | | | building your boat, including any time-saving techniques |
| Let's look at each issue brought up by these | | | | that can keep your project moving along. |
| questions... | | | | Are you experienced? It's one thing to never have built |
| Set your focus on exactly the boat you truly want. If | | | | a boat before... but the challenge is going to be greater |
| you're going to build a wooden trimaran sailboat then | | | | if you don't have any woodworking experience |
| go for the boat you really want. You can build a great | | | | whatsoever. That is a far steeper hill to climb. |
| trimaran and save a lot of money over the cost of | | | | One boat builder recently told me that when it comes |
| many new production trimarans, especially if building a | | | | to the thousands of boat plans sold annually, just 1 out |
| comparable boat. If you'd love having a small trimaran | | | | of 10 boat building projects is ever completed. This |
| that is on the bigger side (one that could | | | | means conducting the research upfront, and then |
| accommodate a crew of 4, for example) then don't | | | | making a commitment to the project in order to see |
| settle for less by ordering sailboat plans for a smaller | | | | things through so you're in the 10% category. |
| tri (one that only seats 2 sailors) just because doing so | | | | If you're pretty certain you want a particular boat, and |
| would save even more money. | | | | there are "study plans" available for it, then get those |
| For sure, you're going to want to correctly estimate | | | | before buying the full set of plans. Speak to the |
| monetary costs up front... but don't settle for your | | | | designer about any questions you have. |
| second (or third) choice boat over a few thousand | | | | Ask about any books, or other resource materials, you |
| dollars of building costs. Get a second job, or work | | | | should acquire before building. |
| some overtime if you have to. But buy plans for your | | | | Self-education is probably the best investment you'll |
| #1 choice. | | | | ever make. And it will be the very first step towards |
| When looking at plans for wood trimarans, don't think | | | | building your own small tri sailboat. |