I'm New Here

[JD_TX]

New guy here, I live in North Texas and fish the lakes up here when I have a boat. I have went from a pontoon to kayak to high-end kayak to aluminum center console to nothing at all. I enjoyed my kayaks the most but hated all the work involved so I have decided to build the fs14_ls. It should handle the lakes around here and my occasional trips to the coast. I have experience with some paint/body work, mechanical work, welding and drunken tinkering. I've never built a boat but I have read a ton on here and I think I can pull it off. I have a 30x40' shop and all the equipment needed to do it. What say you forum? Is the fs14_ls too much for a first time boat builder?

[fallguy1000]

New guy here, I live in North Texas and fish the lakes up here when I have a boat. I have went from a pontoon to kayak to high-end kayak to aluminum center console to nothing at all. I enjoyed my kayaks the most but hated all the work involved so I have decided to build the fs14_ls. It should handle the lakes around here and my occasional trips to the coast. I have experience with some paint/body work, mechanical work, welding and drunken tinkering. I've never built a boat but I have read a ton on here and I think I can pull it off. I have a 30x40' shop and all the equipment needed to do it. What say you forum? Is the fs14_ls too much for a first time boat builder?

Nope. Good luck. Get stuck. Ask here. Lotsa builders of that boat.

[BB Sig]

You can do it! Welcome to the forum. Post lots of pictures!

[Fuzz]

Like they said you can do it Different first builds have ranged fro 5-25 feet so 14 footer is a great place to start.
This style of building is very forgiving. About the only mistake you can make that is not fixable is to use cheap plywood.
Start a build thread and post lots of pictures as you go.

[cape man]

Your greatest skill listed is drunken tinkering

Go for it!

[JD_TX]

Your greatest skill listed is drunken tinkering

Go for it!

That's my favorite skill too!

[JD_TX]

Thank you for the positive support guys. Can't wait to get started.

[druid]

One thing I've learned about building boats: it's fairly easy to build a boat that floats and performs well - the Talent and Time is what makes them beautiful. If you're more concerned with function over form (as I am), go for it! The prettying up will come with time...

druid

[Dougster]

I know you can. All you gotta do is start and not quit.

Dougster

[LarryA]

Everyone was new here at one point! Welcome and GOOD SKILL! And remember, you will make mistakes, there is no such thing as a perfect boat. I promise you, whatever mistake you may make, someone else has made it too. have a "moaning chair" in your shop so you can flop down and go "oh my, how am I going to fix that??" A small fridge next to said chair is also useful .