Learn how to build a Plywood Boat. You can make a great boat out of one sheet of plywood. Watch our video here and see how we build a boat.
There are links at the end of this post for more of our boat videos and DIY projects ↓. You can make this plywood boat out of one sheet of plywood. If you use one sheet, plus a piece of scrap plywood that is 12" x 24" you can build a longer boat. We used ⅜ plywood for this one, next time we will use thinner plywood and fiberglass. I've been reading up on making a plywood canoe.
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We used outdoor latex paint to coat the boat, and paintable high quality caulk to seal the joints. We added strength to the boat by attaching the boat pieces with 1x2 wood lath. If you can find some square molding that would be even better. Waterproof wood glue holds it together with the screws. The glue and caulk need to dry overnight before painting. Attaching a keel to the boat - I used a 2x4 - is key to stability. It's not the most elegant boat, and the keel helps when paddling, otherwise it is hard to control. Several people have asked about mounting a trolling motor on the back of this. I think you can, but I'd suggest building a more robust boat for a trolling motor. This is a simple plywood boat, not a bass boat. 
Watch what happens to our first Fiberglass Plywood Boat here. You can listen to Deek of RelaxShacks.com and Eric talk about how to build a plywood boat and tiny houses on this episode of GardenFork Radio I got the idea for this boat plan after watching a video by Deek Dericksen on the Make Magazine site. Here is a boat some students in England made after seeing ours.
You can find more plywood boat plans here.
Jamie
I LOVE IT!!!. You two are so funny, you made my day.. I just love coming to this site and watching all the amazing things you all do. Last night my pizza was a hit with my family. I made my own pizza sauce with the tomatoes from our garden and the pizza dough recipe you all have on here. Let's just say pizza hut and little ceasers has nothing on me.
Keep the videos coming my friends and have a great day...
Jamie.
Deek
Hey- thanks/flattered- great/fun video too.....have fun with your boat- and best of luck with all guys!
-Deek/Derek
Relaxshacks.com
meemsnyc
This is pretty awesome!!
Jake
From the end of the video it appears that you had two adults in the boat. Do you know how much weight the boat will hold?
Eric Gunnar Rochow
hi jake, it will hold 2 adults, though its pretty low in the water at that point. this is a boat for a small pond, its great for kids who are wearing life preservers and can swim. the best thing about the boat is the acrylic window in the bottom to check out the bottom of a pond. you can mount a trolling motor on the back , but i'd worry about the boat tipping and losing the battery.
thanks for watching, eric
Shelley
Awesome! Thanks for the cool idea! If you're going to build another one, I would love to see that, as well. And I want to build one myself now! I was just thinking, if I build one, it will probably be the only one I build and I would want it to last. And then my mind was racing...
There's actually a marine adhesive that's carried at the orange big box and probably at the blue. It's made by 3M. It's quite a bit more expensive for the same size tube, but it does stick to wood long term (not sure about the plexy but sticks to fiberglass). It's made to be exposed to the elements and to be submersed for extended periods of time. That might be a good thing for at least the outside of a boat like this.
Orange box also carries a silicone made to be submersed, used to seal aquariums. Not sure if it adheres to wood, but if it does, it might be a good thing to use to adhere the 'glass' bottom to the boat. It's clear and strong.
So this is my mind racing 'out loud' as it were, lol. I even thought about making it out of PT, in spite of the copper. Yella says their PT can be used to make raised beds for food production. I don't know what the heaviness factor might be there, though. You can get marine grade plywood. I don't know about cost. Probably on the pricy side.
And also a coating that can withstand the elements and being immersed...
My racing thoughts have not gone that far yet but I'll keep them to myself now, lol...Thanks again for this idea and video!
I guess if it wasn't successful, I could use it as a planter to grow flowers for beneficials...ok, I'll shut up now.
Destiny
Check out the PUMPKIN boats at the CBC website. http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Canada/NS/1305553631/ID=2150135601
frank
what a laugh!! thank you so much, i needed a laugh. I especially like the way you call silicone silicon. what a pearl!!! Silicon implants for everyone.
SMAN
what is the lenght of the boat
SMAN
what is the thickness of the boat
Matthew
Is it possible to add seats? Thanks. I love your youtube channel by the way!
Eric Gunnar Rochow
thanks, glad you like the show! you could put low seats in this, but keep in mind the seats would be in different places depending on if there was one or two people in the boat. thanks for watching, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
we used 1/4" plywood to build this one, 1/2" ply is too thick. thanks, eric
Eric Gunnar Rochow
the boat is 8' long, its made out of a sheet of 4' x 8' plywood.
Matthew
Hi,
I have another question. My Home Depot did not have latex paint, but they said they could order some for me, what brand did you use? Thanks.
callum
would the boat be able to hold a trolling motor along with a 12 volt battery thanks
Chad
Did you use marine grade plywood?
Nate
Hi Eric, how have you liked the boat? Once it's built is there a lot of maintenance? Have you fished off it, and could it hold two adults? Very interested in building, love the website! -Nathan
Eric Gunnar Rochow
the boat is great, but it is a beginner's boat, its not something that is a daily driver. the kids love to play with it, it will fit two adults, but it is tight. working on a new plywood boat video for the spring, thx, eric.
Dom
Hi Eric,
Do you have an idea when your new plywood boat video will be out?
Also how could I add two feet in length to the boat?
Joshua
If I gave you the wood could you build it for me iv got an alectric motor but no boat saw your video and make magazines video and a saw the difference love your work I told my mum a boat garden fork g fork for short by pleas reply joshua bailey hudson
Seo Mississauga
What a boat! This is really great plywood boat video.
Garrett Kula
Awesome boat, would outrigers make it fare any better? I have intentions to make one that's slightly larger and has a trolling motor
Garrett Kula
Sorry, meant to say outriggers, just now caught the misspelling
Paul DIY
Cool plywood boat Eric; I think I'm going to give this a go. Thanks again.