Look on Facebook for Duckworks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/160183704015231

Ask on there if anyone is making half hull models.

A guy making them professionally is also on facebook – Dean Durusha. But I’m not sure if he is making them in wood.
Another group to ask on would be the “woodenboat” group on facebook

Hello Andre,

My normal advice is to try and find a boat building group in your own country. Whether on facebook or using google to cover everything. As it is a Viola then canoe building groups will be most applicable.

With plywood you can generally see voids by looking at the ply available in the rack at the store. In a rack the edges will be visible and you will see if there are many, any, all voids in the edges.

As far as waterproofness I would try to find a piece/sample of the plywood you plan to use boil it for 60 mins, let it dry for a few days then boil it again. If the sample holds together it will be OK.

I had a bit of a look around for links. I chose these ones because the boats are likely to have some 4mm content.

Speak to Richard Woods to ask for a contact for this builder
https://www.facebook.com/groups/duckworks/posts/4147616198794071/

Bernd may have a contact for these builders in Brazil
https://www.facebook.com/groups/duckworks/posts/3683770415178654/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/duckworks/posts/3291252901097076/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/duckworks/posts/3943994975822862/

Or simply ask on the Duckworks group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1384637691758616

Or my facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/160183704015231

I am planning to build a Viola 14 here in Brazil. My main difficulty is sourcing suitable 4 mm marine-grade plywood. Good BS1088-type plywood seems to be very difficult, if not impossible, to find locally.

We do have 4 mm plywood sold as “marine plywood,” usually made from virola, paricá or pine and bonded with phenolic adhesive, but I am concerned about the quality of the veneers and possible internal voids.

Before buying the plans and committing to the build, I would very much appreciate your advice on whether there is a reasonable way around this material limitation.

For example, could a good-quality plywood that is not necessarily marine/phenolic grade be sheathed with very lightweight fiberglass on both sides? Or might a thinner plywood, also glassed on both sides, provide an acceptable alternative without adding too much weight?

I would prefer to build the boat as designed rather than improvise structurally, so I would be very interested to know what minimum plywood characteristics you consider essential for the Viola, and whether you would recommend any alternative laminate if suitable 4 mm marine plywood simply cannot be obtained here.

Best regards,

André

My father used to race Star boats and I would love to have a half hull built.
Do you know where I can find some blue prints or detailed dimensions so I
could have that made?

Thanks in advance for your time.

Please check your email. Bateau.com made the metric plans public domain in 2003 and I found a set. The only thing that seems missing is the length of the two extra spreaders for the width of the boat, but you can scale off the information they have given.
Michael

One fellow in France is doing just that. The boat is very capable, not only keeping up with larger and more complex boats but out sailing them.

However…
1/ Offshore, or rather coastal cruising, is much more dependent on sailing knowledge and skills than the boat. Choose the wrong weather to be out there and you are in serious danger. Make a bad sailing decision and you are in serious danger. This is much much more important than the choice of boat.
2/ Mediterranean is tricky. Lots of light winds and then really strong adiabatic breezes from different directions.
3/ You need to check regulations in Spain. I heard that their application of the RCD (recreational craft Directive – EU legislation) is extreme and that even normal sailing dinghies are highly restricted by coastguard authorities – I heard this a few years back so need to talk to people at sailing clubs and see if they can go sailing whenever they want. The Viola does not have CE certification and will not as it is not affordable for someone selling hundred dollar plans.
4/ Marco who has done sailing in the Viola offshore in the Med in France and Italy fitted the Viola with two suction bailers. He originally had a cover for the open front of the hull but doesn’t use it any more.

HOpe this helps!
Michael

I sent you an email Gabriel.

I recommend asking on the Storer Boat Plans as we have several Spanish and Portuguese speakers. They can advise you if it is workable and several have built the Eureka Canoe. Please feel free to ask questions there in Spanish.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/storerboatplans/

Best Regards
MIK
Michael Storer