True Round Metal Boat Building!
For those who dream of metal boat building with a true round hull, this is for you.
What makes some boats nicer than others?
Well, when looking at houses, properties that get the most interest are those with "curb appeal". Likewise, I like a boat with "curve appeal"!
Much has changed since those times - materials, technique and costs. Today, there are numerous choices for the home boat builder. The skill needed for each medium is different - or is it?
Some folks are more comfortable working with wood. They know wood, they have experience with wood and would never consider building a boat with anything else. Using the same skills, a novice builder can also build a fiberglass boat. Fiberglass can achieve that look, that unmistakable round hull so admired in the classic designs of years ago. The market is not short on plans for both of these mediums.
Construction has begun on the Bezier 12.5 An aluminum, classic styled, 16' Daysailer Follow it's progress on the Right Toolbar
Working in metal requires unique skills and experience. If only the method could be simplified, and allow "One Of" boat builders the opportunity to choose a true round aluminum design. So I gave the problem a lot of thought.
How to build a better metal boat? I wanted a good metal boat design. One that was easy to build, had flowing lines and a true round hull. An ideal design would need no more than woodworking skills and especially ... have "curve appeal"!
I studied those classic designs. Incorporating the use of the Bezier curve to successfully engineer my own innovative method to easily form aluminum. 
A Bezier curve is important to metal boat building, you don't need to know all the science behind it, but if you want to - you can read about it here. By using the Bezier Curve Method we can build a true round hull using average woodworking skills, average tools that yes, has curve appeal! You can see the Designs and Study Plans here. Lets look at some of the old methods used to construct True Round Metal Hulls. Remember - Bezier Curve Design & Construction uses none of the below old methods. - Dogs and clamps to force the shell plating to the framework - - Explosive, stretch, and hydraulic forming - - English Wheel - - Line heating with a torch- - - Rolling equipment - - Special and expensive forming die - To Sum It Up ... A True Round metal hull can be shaped in a cold forming process using a press break. The method is simple, consistent, and predictable. Bezier Curve Design produces full size flat patterns of the hulls three dimensional surface. Information such as bend angle, forming line, and reference dimensions needed to form the flat patterns to it's original three dimensional shape are also provided with the each patterns. No forcing plate into position - No exotic forming methods - No English Wheel - No Heating - No Rolling Equipment - No Special and expensive Dies The curved sections of this hull fit together easily, with minimal adjustment onto the framework. The pre-engineered design and fabrication method enables an average person to build a true round bottom hull using the same skills as required in hard chine construction. The result is the unmistakable beauty of a round hull - the uninterrupted graceful line curving to meet the water.
Call with any metal boat building questions between 7am - 8pm EST
Dennis Schaffer, Yacht Designer |
I've always admired the flowing, graceful lines of the classic boats. Designer legends like Nathaniel Herreshoff produced those unmistakable, eye catching boats between late 1800 and early 1900's. Skillfully designed and crafted not only for function but beauty ... and they did it well.
Building the Bezier 12.5
The Bezier 12.5 is a 16 foot, classic styled aluminum daysailer being built right now.
You can follow it's progress on the button links below.
About the 12.5 Design
Design History
12.5 Archtictural Drawings
View drawings
PreFabrication:
Saw Cut
Longitudinal's
Roll Formed
Longitudinal's
Assembling
Transverse Frames
Transom
Transom Fabrication
Fabrication of
The Keel
Fabrication of
Assembly of
Hull Strongback
Fabrication of
Bezier Shell Plating
Fabrication of the Hull:
Framework
Construction
New! Plating the
True Round Hull Section
Part I
New! Plating the
True Round Hull Section
Part II
New! Welding the
True Round Section
Current Stage of Construction
Below:
