True Round
Metal Boat Building
(Bezier Design and Construction)


The development of 'Bezier Chine Design and Construction' is a result of my career in Architectural Metal Fabrication, CNC Programming, Sheetmetal pattern Development, and my studies at the 'Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology.

The metal True Round boat Building method that I am about to introduce, 'Bezier Chine Design and Construction', was developed entirely by the author.  It is a design  is a high-tech computer design method that blends well with the proven time-honored sheet-metal fabrication layout method know as 'Approximate Development'.

All the components of the hull and deck structure are pre-engineered the entire hull structure, including the shell plating  are predefined to fit seamlessly together. 

There are No Artistic, Vague, or Obscure  True Round metal boat building boat building methods addressed here. 

Only time honored metal  fabrication methods used every day in the metal fabrication industry will be addressed.




You may also find these other aspects of 'Bezier Design and Construction' on the Right Column - Interesting:

Such as, how it is possible to converting a 'Hard Chine' Hull to a 'True Round' Hull - Followed by a race between them via Velocity Predictions Software.

A race between two versions of 'Lighting Strike' - A classic Day-sailor designed to be constructed in both Steel and Aluminum - via Velocity Prediction Software.

Layout and fabricate of custom 'Hatches & Port Lights' for your Build.

The advances in the 'English Wheeling' method for forming True Round Shell Plating.


Dark Harbor Redesign






Building of the Bezier 12.5



- Fabricating the Hull -

(Using Approximate Development)

The build used to illustrate 'Bezier Chine Design and Construction' is a small, curvy, classic tumblehome design. If this curvy aluminum fabricated boat can be built using Bezier Chine Design and Construction, Approximate Development Method, then any other true round hull shape would certainly be a breeze.

Click on the below link (Hull Components) to see a preview of the Transverse Frames, Longintudinal Frames, and Shell Plate fabrication or (Building  the Hull) for  a short overview  of how the Hull is fabricated..

Approximate Development

Hull Components

Building the Hull

Traditionally, True Round Metal Hulls have been built using the 'English Wheel', however becoming proficient in the use of the 'English Wheel' for the building of a single True Round metal hull would require a Special kind of person.

There have been advance in 'English Wheeling', that many are not aware of that taken  the mystic out of the process of 'English Wheeling'. 

I therefore include those advances here. 

English Wheeling



- Fabricating the Intergrals -

When building a  'Bezier Designed' True Round hull, itself, all the component of the hull were pre-defined to fit seamless together, no Lofting.  I think,  maybe I spoiled you a little!

It is now time to fit out that hull with thru-deck coamings onto which you  we will mount various types of Hatches covers, Window Ports, Companionway openings, tanks, and even Steel Masts and Booms for those so inclined.

Such custom fabricated steel components are also more in keeping with the hulls construction material and ensure a harmonious steel design that is not attainable using purchased components designed for another construction material.

Steel components can be fabricated for pennies on the dollar over purchased manufactured versions of the same  product that are designed for fiberglass or wood construction.

Why fabricate a transition component to accomodate to suit a purchased ake into account that you will have have to fabricate some type of component to transition a purchased component.  

My book ‘Applied Metal Boatbuilding Methods’ – ‘Sheetmetal Pattern Development’ will describe the theory, principles and application of ‘Bend Allowance’ and ‘Bend Deduction’ to calculate the cut sizes, locations of bend lines and interior features  through the fabrication of marine components typical to steel and aluminum pleasure craft.

The following 'Link' will describe how to layout a deck coaming needed for a Deck hatch. 

Sample Deck Coaming Layout



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New - Ongoing

The redesign of the classic sailboat Dark Harbor for Aluminum construction

dark-harbor-model-file.jpg

Go to Dark Harbor Redesign



Bezier designed Steel and Aluminum True Round Plans

To promote the concept of 'Bezier Design and Construction'for all Building Plans can now be downloaded free of charge.

You do not have to build the boat, but you sure can explore something new out there. Think outside of the box, you have to see this concept on True Round metal boat building.

Click Here for Plans


Demystifying the weight factor

By way of a VPP Race between two versions of 'Lighting Strike' (One steel and the other Aluminum)

The weight factor Demystifed

Go to Lighting Strike's Velocity Predictions


How to layout and fabricate Hull Intergrals

Fabricating Hull Intergrals such as a Hatch Coaming is the next stage of boat construction.

The below pics is an initial dimensioned hand sketch - The first step in the layout process.


Click here to continue the process.


English Wheeling

This is not your Father's 'English Wheeling' method.

See how the 'True Round' shell platting is reduced to a flat pattern. These Flat Patterns take the mystic out of English Wheeling.


Click Here for Details



Converting an existing Hard Chine Design to a True Round Design

Followed by a Race via a 'Velocity Prediction Program.

Click Here

conversion1.jpg

The top pic is the orginal design - The bottom pic is the converted True Round version.

conversion2.jpg