*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Few men desire real freedom. Most men simply desire a kind master.
I am fixing to build a pirogue and looking to see if anyone else needs one. Reason I ask is it takes me just as long to build 2 as it does 1. I build them out of 1/4" fir a/c plywood. I can build one as long as 15' if need be. My 2 man pirogue is 12'8" with a bottom of 26" which can be an inch or two wider. By going wider,you loose height to the sides.
Let me know,I will most likely start next week and it should take about 2 days to complete less painting.
OK guys. A few people are intersted in this project. Cost wise,I will fine out today. As far a labor,a six pack would due. The reason I'm building is that my son and son-n-law wanted to learn how to build one. This was something that was tought to me when I was around 10 years old and it is time to pass it on. So,what I will do is post up thru the build and if anybody wants to learn first hand,you would be more then welcome to come over. I might have to put this off for a couple weeks due to work. I have one of my units at work coming out of an outage and we will be doubling up for a start up thru the 31th. Sucks!
Building time is about 8-9 hours. Most of that is to let the glue set and that depends on weather temps.
The build list is:
2 sheets of 1/4" a/c ext fir plywood
2 1"x4"x16' #1 fir
8' of 1"x6" #1 fir or pine
1 qt of Weldwood 2 part glue
1 lb of ring shank nails that are 1" long. Better if I can find them in bronze,but that is hard to do these days.
4' of 2"x4" fir or redwood
A piece of 3/4" ext plywood about 8"x48"
2 qts of paint
1 pint of Weldwood putty
Tools:
Circle saw
Table saw (but can get away not using one)
jig saw
hammer
hand plane
about 12 clamps
Beltsander
Last 6 I built about 12+ years ago are still in service down in Pecan Island at a hunting camp. I know of one I built about 30+ years ago that is still around,but has been sitting in a barn for 10 years or so. It even has a livewell built into it. They will last a life time if you keep them painted and out the weather when not used. If you ever pop a hole,they are easy to patch.
What a wonderful and generous offer! Darn near worth the effort to drive from Florida to La to see and maybe help with the build.
Wooden boat building is darn near a lost art. Why not have a good photographer do a photo shoot? Lay out some plans, ad-lib with good tips, and maybe even sell the package for a few bucks.
I have no wood working skills what so ever.
Re: Pirogue My son and I drove from Crystal river, FL to the bank of Lake Ponchatrain(sp) to Ron Chapman's Shop and bought a Pirogue.
Rhett was 15 and had just received his learner's permit. We picked up the boat and advice for where to eat a bunch of crawfish and buy a bunch of Andouolle. Round trip took over 20 hours.
Later, the Pirogue dumped me in front of the biggest gator I ever saw. They really get big when you are in the water with them. Anyhow, I got rid of the pirogue because I couldn't find any training wheels for it.
Rhett is now 32 and has made me a granddaddy twice. Dang, how time flies.
What a wonderful and generous offer! Darn near worth the effort to drive from Florida to La to see and maybe help with the build.
Wooden boat building is darn near a lost art. Why not have a good photographer do a photo shoot? Lay out some plans, ad-lib with good tips, and maybe even sell the package for a few bucks.
I have no wood working skills what so ever.
Re: Pirogue My son and I drove from Crystal river, FL to the bank of Lake Ponchatrain(sp) to Ron Chapman's Shop and bought a Pirogue.
Rhett was 15 and had just received his learner's permit. We picked up the boat and advice for where to eat a bunch of crawfish and buy a bunch of Andouolle. Round trip took over 20 hours.
Later, the Pirogue dumped me in front of the biggest gator I ever saw. They really get big when you are in the water with them. Anyhow, I got rid of the pirogue because I couldn't find any training wheels for it.
Rhett is now 32 and has made me a granddaddy twice. Dang, how time flies.
I had to LOL on that dumping.I had a few big @ss gators swim up to me in the pass. Now there is something about using a pirogue that one needs to learn from a very young age were as not flipping them. Hell,many years ago when my wife was 8 months with child,I had her @ss in a pirogue fishing bar pits off the Mississippi River. I still own that pirogue and my first born is 29 years old. To this day,the wife still talks about that. Now at my age,I'm still able to stand up and fish out of a pirogue for about an hour or two were as just a few years back I could of fished all day out of one.
Man,what a bit-h trying to find the right plywood. I have yet to find it. There is no one in Baton Rouge that carries it anymore. WTF? I did find some south of BR,but there don't know if its ext or int.
On a side note,some would think of using marine plywood. For that cost,it would be better to just go out and buy a good fiberglass pirogue.
Do you buile them with a flat bottom or a slight curve?
Mike
A true pirogue doesn't have a "flat" bottom from tip to tip. There should be a flair of 1 1/2" from the widest point "which is not the center of the boat". Reasons are to be able to jump logs,not get stuck in mud. On the later,if you have a flat bottom,mud will create a suction.
Try Gueydan Lumber and Plywood in Metairie or Liberty in New Orleans.
What kind of weight can your boats hold? How much do the boats weight?
I may try to build a wood pirogue some day. Fiberglass is too heavy and aluminum is expensive.
The 2 man which is about 13' will hold 2 men that weight in around 200lbs,guns and shell buckets,sack of deks. Weight wise for the boat is way under 100lbs.
On a good fiberglas. I have one that weights under 100lbs that is well over 30 years that stays outside all the time. I wish I could find the mold for it. It was build by Champane(sp?)down in St Benard. I been thinking of building a mold off of it if glass wasn't so high now.
I was talking to the boat builder over at Vermilionville. He gives talks on the different styles that were used in different parts of the state and how they each came to be because of the varied use. Some parts of the state had a much more severe curve in the bottom while others were pretty flat. I personally prefer almost flat.
For the plywood you can try C & S Building Supply at 337-237-4584. There's another in Lafayette but I can't think of the name right now. I'll find out from my FIL and let you know.
Mike
__________________
They weren't biting at all.....then they slacked up.
Still no place around that carries a/c ext plywood within 60 miles. Everything is int. What the hell are home builders are using under carports if they don't install sideing? Beenie,I will try out in your area today. Was planning to build this sunday if I can find what I'm looking for.
Did you try Lockport Farm Market and Building Supplies in Lockport? I remember seeing long sheets of plywood there. Phone number is (985) 532-3323.
What I am looking for is 4'x8' sheets of a/c fir ext 1/4". I join them. Most likely what you saw was marine plywood. Don't know what the cost is now,but a 14' sheet many years ago cost well over $200.
Needing to build a pirogue
