Constructing Bivalve- a wooden sailboat

I built Steve Redmond's design, "Elver", in 1992. This is a series of clips showing highlights of the construction. It is a 20' Canoe Yawl. The hull has a plywood bottom, and strip planked, western red cedar topsides. The spars are shaped from douglas fir for the main mast, and spruce for the mizzen and other spars. Here is a link to a page about building this boat, with comments and critique... and some other, similar, plans:
http://www.santa-coloma.net/bivalve/Bivalve.html

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bivalve
• steve
• redmond
• elver
• canoe
• yawl
• cedar
• strip
• plank
• boat
• cruising
• shoal
• draft
• sailboat
• epoxy
• homebuilt

[imiritu]

Hey I am planning to buy a motor yatch or mid sized boat of some kind so that I can roam around the islands in the pacific. What kind of boat would you recommend, that is fuel efficient, and a good all around boat (like storm worthy). I am planning a sort of adventure in the pacific, and I want to have a boat that can stand its ground against most reasonably nasty storms. I do want it to be as inexpensive as possible of course too! Should I just buy a regular 1990ish motor yatch? cabin for 2ppl

[proto57]

@imiritu Well that sounds like a wonderful plan. But I'm afraid that I am no knowledgeable enough about the available boat types, and could not advise you. I could direct you to back issues of Cruising World, which has a review of old boats called "Classic Plastic". This section gives real world experiences and values. Also check forums of cruisers who have done it... there are many... who can give you sound advice. Best of luck!

[darkaegisagain]

People build wood boats… to build a wood boat. Fiberglass may last nearly forever but its still a fiberglass boat.

[proto57]

@darkaegisagain Precisely.

[josephdupont]

I love your boat.. But  I think I'll just buy a used fiberglass boat for less than a grand.

but nice project.

[proto57]

@josephdupont It almost sounds as if you are taking my own advice, found on the page linked in my description. From that page, "Or buy an O'Day 22 for under $1,000, and sail it on the way home." You build a wooden boat if building and wood are the reason... they are very far from the economic choice... even a simple, small one like this. That being said (and I love my FB O'Day), I would like to do it again, someday. My own design, next time, I think.

[snowypetrel]

What a beauty

[thomasuras]

HEY swiFtey08 Just take of your warrant's ,then build your boat OK

[bulldog01209]

Good job !

[proto57]

Hey Snax: Sorry it took so long to respond... just noticed this. I don't know man-hours, but it took seven months of spare time, including most of my weekends. The boat only cost $2,500 to build... but that was cheap even in '92. Many spent $6k to $12k to build the same boat. It all depends on the wood you choose, and if you make your own sails, and so on. I have a link in the description, which has more info.