Advise on building a foam layout/marsh boat?

B

Ben Avery

New member
Hello, guys im new too the forum. Hoping i can get a few questions answered.

Ok, Im looking too build a foam layout/marsh boat and looking too get some advise? i would like build one about 48" wide and 12' too 14' long. I am try to figure out what style i would like too build, Kara hummer style or a devin's bluebill/ carstens canvasback. i want it be able too run a 6.5 horse longtail or a little larger and have a good weight capacity.

thanks

Ben Avery
 
Same response here as I gave you on the "other" site.

On this site I am the only long term poster other than Dani that has built one. Maybe some of the newer guys have built one but not posted about it. You can find some of Dani's build photos on the "other" site under the user Blue Eyed Goof. I don't know how many photos still reside over here. My build posts over there are still up back from 2005.

Most of us over here are wooden boat guys with a few metal heads.

If you can find the "DIY duck boat" website you can see that he copied the Too Tall Neandertal boat that started all this foam nonsense years ago. However DIY wants money for his plans and Too Tall gave them away on the old Cafe Outdoors website years ago. They might still reside there as a cached thread, but I have never gone looking.

Seriously though I recommend working with thin plywood over any foam core. If you are looking to save money you will not due to the need to use lots of epoxy resin to protect the foam. You can not use the cheaper poly resin since it is solvent based and will melt the foam.

You will still have to use plywood for the floor of a foam boat to protect it from your boots.

There are several options for thin plywood. Birch underlayment - american stuff molds/rots fast, European stuff is used in boats over there. Fir ACX down to 1/4 inch has issues with checking. Okoume works the best but can be pricey for shipping. I don't recommend going less than 4mm - way too flexible and needs too heavy a FG cloth to stiffen up and all the weight savings is then gone.
 
don't waste your time. i made one 4' X 12' with 6oz cloth over the foam. even though you have the glass on it, the foam still gives just enough when you hit stumps to allow it to poke holes. waste of time and money. build the kara from the plans instead
 
Hi Ben,

I did one a few years ago and found it to be "soft" (as was mentioned) and not at all the lightweight boat I was looking for. I ended up donating it to a bunch of kids to float in an irrigation pond. I say go for a lightweight glass-over-wood.
 
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