How would I build a fake boat?

Evening all.

I've decided to add to my long To Do list, a plan to build a fake boat in the garden, for the lad to play on/in.

I'm ok at woodwork, but how would I get the wood to curve to make a realistic boat shape?

I know I can just use thin plywood for the skin, that bends reasonably well, but the frame is going to be a nightmare.

 

Sounds complicated!

Why don't you do half of the boat, like, so it's up tight against a wall, and one set of seats is against the wall? (could be like a backrest) and then more seats infront of it



Would look good with some rope and one of them orange dingie things attached to it.

You could even go one further and put blue slate round it to make it look like water! that'd be cool for any kid (even me)

Just not a wood expert, so don't know what advise to give you on how to make it..

 

Did an example pic because I'm bored!

http://i53.tinypic.com/fdrt37.jpg

:D

And if it ever ends up not going to use, turn it into a flower bed!

 

you could just buy an old boat:D

 

And saw it in half...

..only kidding :WINK1:

 

You bend the wood with hot water. If you need some more details I will have to make a special enquire to Vikings.
PS I am sure that they know all about it at the maritime museum in Greenwich.

 

There are several ways you can bend wood - traditionally you'd steam it, but unless you're going in for steaming/bending in a big way, making a DIY steamer is probably a misson too far.

Why not just kerf cut your timber or build a 'jig' and laminate the shape you want?

Of course, you could go into Wickes et.al. and buy some of their PSE timber - most of that seems to come ready 'boat shaped'

 

Bearing in mind it's not actually going to sea, I assume it would be OK to make a basic frame with timber (2"x2") at key bending points and then secure they plywood strips to those timbers.

I'm sure the little one will not be critical if the shape is not exactly the same as Cutty Sark, and will still be the envy of his mates.

You can always hide the keel under the shingle sea.

 

A 'coracle' from a barrel cut in half lengthways with a plank for a seat, or even a dug-out canoe from an old tree-trunk? Whatever you decide, just don't make it too perfect - far better to let children use their imagination from bits 'n pieces provided rather than a 'shrink wrapped, this is a boat and therefore this is all it does' alternative.

 

Get an old row boat and doctor it up a bit. Put a sail on it, some oars, a pirate flag, a figurehead or whatever fun bits you can think of.

 

Excellent ideas, thanks folks

The idea of buying an old boat is good, except it would have to be a very small one.

The half barrel idea is good, I'll look into that a bit more I think.