When
you go to buy a
plan from a plan agency it sometimes seems like they are pushing you to
build what THEY want you to build. The below tries to explain
why
and also suggests how you can deal with them but retain your own
direction.
READ THE DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM
There is a
huge range of boats built by people from plans sold by companies acting
as agents for a number of designers..
If the company has a big range of plans available the
customer gets lots of choice. If the company only sells a couple of
lines then they will push you towards one of them - of course.
There is a tendency for the people selling plans to try to
sell the
plans for boats that they know well and have seen built already - or
from designers that they know have a good track record. This works
strongly to the customer's advantage - particularly for the first time
builder.
The reality is - if you don't know what you want to build
they will
make a number of suggestions (if there are a number of boats that fit
your requirements). So it is "more likely" that you will end up
building something they suggest.
If you turn up to the agent with a clear idea of what you
want to build
then it is likely that you will end up building it. They might suggest
something similar that they are more familiar with, but the choice is
always up to you.
If you already have the plans in your hot little hands many
of the
agents also sell materials. The good ones will usually be
happy
to give you advice if you buy some of the materials from them (see
comments about advice below).
There is a big
advantage in buying a plan from a company that is also
engaged in boat building on a consistent basis. They know the plans
better than the designer in many cases and are usually up to date with
materials and methods. They often have a lot of knowledge
about
how to adapt older plans to modern construction methods. See the comparison between
modern and older construction methods
There is a big
advantage in buying from someone who will give backup
support - that you can ring or email with any queries - or if local
drop round with the plans in your hand. The more experienced the person
at the company - the better advice you will get.
Where someone selling plans has a long and extensive track
record
supporting customers during their boatbuilding process it becomes very
clear that some designers are very good and some are poor - in terms of
explaining the building process clearly and avoiding errors. This feeds
back into what plans the plans seller will tend to offer to a customer.
Doing a
boatbuilding course is great if you want to do it. But you can
gain much the same knowledge by building a boat or two yourself.
A plan seller that can answer building questions and has the
practical
knowledge to help, and has a commitment to getting the boat built is as
effective as doing a course.
THE REALITY IS (IT WAS FOR ME TOO) IS THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING
FOR A
SITUATION THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO GIVE THEMSELVES THE PERMISSION TO
BUILD THE BOAT.
SOME NEED TO DO A COURSE BEFORE THEY CAN GIVE THEMSELVES
PERMISSION.
SOME CAN GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION IF THEY FEEL THEY HAVE
ENOUGH BACKUP SUPPORT FROM SOMEONE ELSE.
SOME WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION IF THEY CAN
UNDERSTAND THE PLANS. I wanted to build a
boat for years but had a number of problems
1/ How to do it
2/ Where to get the materials
3/ What plans are good
4/ What happens if I have big (or small problems)
Luckily I ran into Duck Flat Wooden Boats when I moved to
Adelaide for
the first time (too) many years ago. They solved all these
problems for me - so I had no excuses left - I just had to start
building!
My First Boatbuilding Project is right - a 17ft L Francis
Herreshoff Double-ended Rowboat.
