Power tools in boat building is usually required and there is no way around that as plans compel you use them, deviations from plans will usually create problems down the line. Build boats with hand tools can be used without any significant deviations only if you are a skilled boat builder and know exactly what you are doing, which is not usually the case for most of you amateur enthusiasts. However if you are interested in a project one hand boat building tools, then what you need to do is buy plans that are specifically designed to be used in conjunction with hand tools only. Be warned that this type of woodworking project you need to learn and master a very different type of skill set than you might be used to, however it will be very rewarding if you really have a boat building station .
Firstly, the disadvantages of power tools
When building any type of boat, sailing boat, fishing boat, canoe or even a small dinghy that you are always going to spend more money on a project when used over power tools, hand tools. You might think that the most of the extra cost of buying electric power tools. Usually, this is only half the cost, the other one comes in the maintenance and repair. Unexpected cost can usually be greatly reduced if you are an experienced artisan or have some experience in repairing electrical goods.
Another disadvantage of the health and safety aspect that goes unnoticed most of woodworking amateurs. Could not most of you have had a serious accident involving power tools then you might be inclined to just ignore this but not everyone who is or ever will be suitable to use power tools high performance such period as may be necessary to cut the wooden hull of the boat. They may go months or even years without an accident or injury but all it takes is one moment of lack of concentration and they will wish they never would have taken up woodworking or boat building in the first place.
Why use hand tools exclusively in the boat building project?
Hand tools have been used for centuries before the discovery of electricity making anything from boats to mansions. The skills and techniques necessary to successfully wield hand tools such as a chisel or hand saw slowly being forgotten as our circular saws and mechanical sanders can do the job much faster and at a fraction of the effort. However hand tools to increase our communication to the timber we are working on, because every bit of change in the grain is felt and heard more effectively.
Another simple economics, if you are building a boat out of your wooden tool box filled with hand tools it will be a whole lot cheaper than if you use power tools for the reason discussed previously. However you have to consider the fact that the project will go a whole lot slower, especially if you are still in the process of learning how to use your newly acquired quality hand tools.
In my opinion it is best to learn the craft of boat comes with hand tools on a construction project that is relatively easy such as a small dinghy made entirely of wood. You can boat plans from your local hardware store or even online retail specialist shop.
More character and personality
These machines work requires you to be very precise with any cutting or sanding that you do. All joints must fit exactly as planned with almost no room for error as it will be seen as poor craftsmanship. Building a boat with hand tools on the other hand appears different, when irregularities show up down to the uniqueness of the tool and the method used. This community looked on my the boat character and uniqueness of each one will take a little bit different. This is one of the main reasons why some people will pay much much more money on hand built mahogany boat than one equivalent using types and specifications power tools. From this you might be able to see the possibility to build a boat using hand tools to be slower but it can provide a better outcome in the end for the total time spent also, as in all business decisions that it is a balancing act as time is money.
Wooden boat kits
There are several wooden boat packed with basic hand tools woodworking equipment that is specifically designed to help you build a boat using only hand tools. This is done by giving you very detailed and thought out plans and drawings which takes into account the level of craftsmanship is very low. Also the wood is pretreated and worked on making the traditional tricky parts of the project they have done for you or done much easier. Wooden boat kits, however, does not come cheap and if you want to sell boats as a regular hobby then it should only be used as a stepping stone for learning, since it is still relatively cheaper than mentor to guide you through the project.
