Plate Alloy Kits

[Chris Tucker]

If you take your time and keep the plate cool there is no reason the boat shouldn't come out looking pretty fair. The side plates are the biggest part of the boat and they weigh about 70kg each. Working smart, 2 people can wrap them, with 3 it will be easy. Where are you based? Plate Alloy's boat building course (while it might start off a bit easy if you can weld) is well worth the time and investment. Its a truism that after building your first boat you're ready to start building your first boat. So if someone else can own that first one you're ahead of the game.

[ric]

Excellent thread Ric. I'll have a good look through it, you probably answer all my questions. My biggest concern is the finished product, I'm a diesel fitter by trade & no stranger to a mig but I've never built a boat before. How difficult is it to get the side sheets wrapped & welded with a smooth finish? I don't want to call the boat "rumple- steel- skin"!

thanks for the link Chris, I'll do some browsing.

Side sheets aren't difficult. Once you get to the side sheets during the build progress, you will of already learnt enough to do a nice job.

It really is amazing how good the kit is though. I only had 1 very minor error in mine which was easily fixed! Especially considering what your building.

[Heliduck]

Good info gents, thanks. I'm pricing up all the goodies now to see what the total cost would be from start to fishing. What's a ball park figure for the painting Ric?

[Chris Tucker]

Heliduck, drop me a PM with your details and I'll email you a whole lot of info.

[ric]

Good info gents, thanks. I'm pricing up all the goodies now to see what the total cost would be from start to fishing. What's a ball park figure for the painting Ric?

I'll send you a pm