cruising sailboat kits

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

September 13, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

There are many sailboats that anyone can build from home depending on tastes
Budget will be the biggest deciding factor on a majority of the process
Consider kits that come with most of what you need or choose ones that are all-inclusive
Design complexities and new materials may make the building time process longer
Plan the best you can ahead of time to save money and your working hours

‍ Buying a sailboat can be expensive, but building your own can save you money. So what are sailboats you can build from home?

Sailboats that you can build from home will likely be a small boat under 20 feet. These could be from many different boat suppliers such as B&B Yachts, Brooks Boat Designs, and Chase Small Craft. Boat plans will vary based on your budget and how much time you have on your hands.

Based on my previous experience, building your own boat will take much longer than if a professional were to do it. You also have to be able to study plans, consider various sailboat designs, and have tons of supplies such as fiberglass tape or fiberglass cloth. On top of that, you will also have to be good with your hands.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Affordable Sailboats Anyone Can Build at Home

Building your own pocket cruiser or other styles from boat plans is an impressive feat, as this will need dedicated time and money to assure your boat sails safely. Boat building takes a lot of patience as well, especially since this will not be completed in a fast manner.

Finding boat plans and materials that fit your budget will be key to being able to complete the project. The time it takes to complete these projects will vary on your overall experience and needs. Below are 10 of the most affordable sailboats that you can build in the comfort of your home.

B&B Yachts

B&B Yachts have 14 different boat plans you can choose from to find the boat of your desires. Their shop is located along the Bay River in North Carolina where they construct all of the kits and have a 100 foot dock to show off your project once you complete it.

One popular model to check out is their Core Sound 15, as it is the perfect size for those wanting to build a modest size boat for a handful of people on board. Their website features some videos of completed projects and the plans or kits for purchase.

14 different models to choose from plus some dinghies
Various monohull and multihull options
Friendly customer service with attractive prices
Might be too many options for some that are indecisive
Not ideal for those wanting to have a motor sailer

Brooks Boat Designs

Brooks Boat Designs has a handful of options to consider for your next sailboat building project. They are located in Brookline, Maine and give the option to buy the kits or have them build one from scratch for you. They have plenty of knowledge, so do not be shy to ask about modifications or custom features you are looking for.

Depending on your specifics, they can attempt to accommodate some of their plans to help fit your desired outcome. By checking out their site, you can see many examples of their construction in progress and what the boats will look like when completed.

Offers a variety of kits
Plans vary around $50 and up, while materials will obviously add more costs
Some plans can be rowing boats that can convert to sailboats
Might take a while to hear back from them, as their contact section is a little outdated
Their plans may not accommodate a ton of extras for your taste

Chase Small Craft

Chase Small Craft offers a simple process for building boats. Their kits are equipped with everything you need and will help save you time than just buying the materials outright and other parts you could need. This is arguably one of the best bang for buck instances if you want to save time and money searching for pieces to your boat.

They are located in Saco, Maine and will ship everything to your home from there. All the necessary materials are included and all you need are the proper tools and working space.

All-inclusive kits with what you need
Tons of knowledge on their site for boat building
Easy process to order and customize
Complete kits can range over $20,000 for larger boats
Kits may take up to eight weeks to ship out

Chesapeake Light Craft

You can expect high-quality boat kits from Chesapeake Light Craft . They feature 18 different sailboat kits that vary from eight to 20 feet in length. This should be more than enough to find one for you if you are newer to boat building.

They also have a wide variety of other kits in addition to the sailboat, in the event that you wanted to order a small kayak or paddleboard in addition to your sailboat. The prices vary considerably when considering a small or larger boat, so check the complete list of options to in order to potentially fit your needs.

Plenty of sailboat offerings to choose from
Different beautiful hull form options to consider
Easy to build and perfect for sailing
Only has basic materials needed for kit, so you may need to purchase other items
Has epoxy shipping fee no matter if you pick up item

Dudley Dix Yacht Design

Dudley Dix Yacht Design has an extensive list of plywood and single skin sailing boat options. They have plenty of sail plans and kits to consider depending on your goals. These follow a classic look for sailboats, which are aesthetically pleasing.

If you are wanting one to accommodate a small family, they have more than plenty to look through. The cost is not as bad compared to others, but keep in mind that you may need to throw in your own supplies or specific tools to get the job done.

Plans start at $30 and range up to $7,500 or more for kits
More than enough of options to consider
Affordable variety of sailboat offerings
Might be too many options for those new to sailing
Most are wood without the use of aluminum or steel

Farrier Marine

If you are in search of a multihull to build, then Farrier Marine is what you need. They offer a unique folding catamaran that is trailerable and give you the option to build it yourself. This not only makes it an appealing option, but anyone can take this multihull boat wherever they want with ease.

It features a thorough construction guide once you receive all of the materials. These also come with stainless steel fasteners and an aluminum mast for high-quality materials. Pricing will vary since you must request which model type you are considering.

Ability to build a unique catamaran
In-depth construction guide to help
Easily handled and trailerable
Price may be too high
Limited offerings since only a few multihull options

Glen-L Marine Designs

Building a boat from Glen-L Marine Designs can save you time and money. They feature an easy system to order and receive the kits, as well as an in-depth guide to building them. This is an appealing option compared to most boat kit sellers.

The beauty about Glen-L is that anyone can build these from scratch, so you do not have to be the best boat builder in the world to get it done. They offer guides and helpful insights from their team to point you in the right direction. Plans vary around $15, while kits can range well over $1,000 depending on boat size.

Nearly 50 designs to choose from
Complete guide to help anyone build it
Plenty of price points depending on size
Might be overwhelming with the amount of options
Could take a while to get parts since they are popular

John Welsford Boat Designs

John Welsford Boat Designs invites new and veteran boat builders that want a taste of quality small wooden boats. The boat plans are designed to meet your specifications and are catered to your desires.

There are seven sailboat designs to choose from so you do not feel overwhelmed in the process. However, they do not sell kits all the time, so you would need to have the materials or be on the lookout for the best prices when they are available.

Seven sailboat plans with different sizes
Quality boat builder and supporting community
In-depth knowledge provided to you when you order
Might be too small of boat size
Kits are not always available

Iain Oughtred

There are plenty of options on the wooden boat store, but you should narrow down your search for Iain Oughtred’s line of sailboat kits and plans. There are 25 different plans to choose from, which should accommodate most everyone looking to build their own boat.

While they do offer some kits, they do not routinely offer sailboat kits. You would need to purchase all of the materials if you are considering one of their sail plans. Keep this in mind if you are considering, as you would need to hunt down the parts yourself.

25 different sailboat plans to look through
Various sizes to contemplate for you sailing needs
Prices will vary but are not bad compared to market
No sailboat kits, only plans
Newer boat builders might find too many options unappealing

Paul Gartside Boat Builder and Designer

Gartside Boats is a boat builder company based in Long Island, New York that showcases a variety of boats from traditional and newer methods of boat building. Within that variety, they have boat plans meant for six to 50 feet in length.

With an abundance of options, you will need to contact them regarding prices and any customizable options. Kits may vary as well, as they typically design in-house and build for you.

Experienced boat designer that can accommodate with custom plans
Many options are trailerable
Can have plans for up to a 50 foot boat
You will need to contact them for prices
Customized options may make process more complicated for new boat builders

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Sailboat at Home?

As you have likely already done so, the math between building your own boat and buying one may be a huge difference. Likewise, you may even enjoy the challenge of taking an older boat that is gutted and restoring with parts from a kit to build one new again.

But how much does it cost exactly to build a boat from the comfort of your own garage or workshop? The prices are going to vary dramatically depending on your situation and material needed to get the job done. In addition, the time that it takes to complete this will also vary.

Sail plans are rather inexpensive if you are aiming to build a small boat. These plans allow you to see the workings of the boat design and what you need to build the boat.

Without these plans, you will not know the exact details of the design and it can cause major issues with the boat’s hull or other areas of the boat. Think of these as the backbone or instructions of the boat’s infancy before being built.

Price Per Square Foot

You should assume to pay anywhere between $300 to $600 per square foot if you are interested in building a boat. Buying a kit outright can be a good way to save time, but oftentimes these do not come with everything you need.

Instead, you should try to source as much of the materials at the best price as possible. Thinking ahead is part of the process and you might be able to score a deal at a lumber yard or hardware store for parts.

Boat Designs Matter

The design of the boat will be much different from one boat to the next, regardless if they are the same size in length. If you are pondering boats that range anywhere between 16 and 20 feet, you should factor in the shape of the hull, any rigging, and various appendages.

Prices tend to increase when there are more complexities within the designs. If you are considering a kit with more details than others, you will also have to pay more for the designs on that as well.

Kits Can Differ

It is important to understand that all kits are not going to be the same. As you gander at sailboat kits online to stitch together, you need to thoroughly look over to see if you have everything you need before buying.

It would also be at your advantage to ask the seller if any additional parts or supplies are needed. This may change your dynamic on the kit buying process and you may pass up one for another if it has everything you need. An all-inclusive kit may cost several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more to have the convenience of everything in the bundle.

Construction Approaches

Some boat plans may require you to have certain tools to get the job done. This means special saws or planers, which the average person simply does not have.

Purchasing specialty tools might be expensive upfront and hard to find depending on what it is. Your best bet would be to check locally for others trying to sell their tools or consider a boat plan that does not require extensive tools to finish the job.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Sailboat?

An easy to build sailboat could take a while to build from scratch. Many different variances come into play that are difficult to pinpoint for everyone. But how long is that exactly and how will your experience play into this?

A fun project to sail in the wind could take you several months to well over a year depending on the boat plan and how big your boat is going to be. In addition, the materials all need to be accounted for prior to starting in the event a hardware store does not have them in stock.

Time Varies

The time that passes for simple boat designs on small sailing vessels can be done in a few weeks. This is assuming you have everything you need and work non-stop around the clock.

Certain complex situations may make the process long, such as the difficulty of working with some materials. If you are a skilled laborer, it may take you half the time compared to a novice. The amount of time it can take will vary on your availability and skill level.

Planning ahead will undoubtedly offer the most time-saving features. It also helps if you can tackle parts of the project at your own pace.

Complexity of Design

The design of the boat may make the construction process longer. For example, it may take you longer to build a catamaran compared to a similar lengthed monohull.

More complex designs might require more materials, therefore making the process a bit longer to complete. Furthermore, you will also need more experience working with difficult designs and that will affect you more as a newbie.

Be sure to manage your expectations well and do not allow yourself to become too stressed over this fun project. If you can, seek expert boat building advice from a local builder or the company you purchased sail plans through.

Quality Materials

The quality of the materials will matter significantly when building a boat and will greatly affect the time it takes to construct it. Handling fiberglass or carbon fiber might require specialty tools, while wood also demands a certain level of craftsmanship.

If you are not skilled at working with the material at hand, it might affect the quality of the build and you may have to go back to fix mistakes. This will definitely add more time to your project, because mistakes are bound to happen with your first project.

To save time, consider adding the tools and materials throughout the year or as often as your budget allows. You may want to try testing your skills on fiberglass or other materials to get a feel for how to work with it.

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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I love sincere , honest sailboats; I don’t believe that a sailboat can perform well in family cruising, buoy racing, offshore racing. This was my leading concept when I choose to design Petrel 28 plans: a sturdy, reliable, safe, honest, roomy, mediterranean cruising sailboat suited for homebuilders.


8,84 m
8,23 m
2,64 m
1,59 m	18 m²
900 kg	36 m²
12,00 m	850 €
2090 kg

This means that for this sailboat I start to develop coherently a totally new hull, with quite symmetric lines, a decent but not excessive maximum beam, more than an eye to the seakeeping performances, and just a glance at speed performances, somehow a “classical modern hull”, developing hull lines that can be built from plywood panels with “radius chine” system . The three sailboats launched (two by homebuilders), and the thousands miles sailed, confirmed that my goals have been reached: the Petrel performs beautifully in every conditions, from light air to rough seas, has a great amount of stability when heeled, keep a straight line without viciously pointing the bow on the wind under gusts, it’s a very enjoyable sailboat to helm with a fingertip even on strong winds, somehow more similar to classic sailboats than to modern ones. Thanks to a good sailplan (mainsail + jib+ small gennaker) , the pace is quite good in every condition, the sailboat reaches his critical speed, around 6 knots, very easily, accelerating steadily after the tacks even in light winds, although the sailboat is not a featherweight one. Interiors are simply huge for a 8.5 meters sailboat, height is more than 1.75 meters in the whole cabin; a family of four people have a more than a decent accommodations for a medium range cruise. Hatches makes all the cabin very bright. The hull is built in plywood and epoxy, with radius chine solution, which is probably the smartest way to make a round hull without getting in too much troubles for a homebuilder; bulkheads, hull planking, deck and cockpit surfaces are all in marine grade okume or mahogany plywood, while keel , stem, longitudinal stringers and deck and cockpit battens are in solid mahogany wood. All is glued together by epoxy resin and glass tapes reinforcements, to form a very sturdy hull quite fast to build for a homebuilder. In the snapshots on the gallery you can see the 2013 version of plans with a more modern line for the plywood cabin, giving more pleasing lateral line to the sailboat with a minimal loss of internal volume; plans are available both in english and in italian and in imperial units upon request.

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The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

A few basic tools can tackle almost any problem that plagues a small daysailer..

The tools and materials required to maintain and repair everything on a boat will barely fit in a room. Just the kit required to maintain vital systems will raise the waterline of a large boat and is impractical in a smaller boat. Fortunately, when day sailing and even cruising locally, all we really need to do is get back to the dock … any dock.

Instead of preparing for every contingency, our tech editor Drew Frye has developed this small kit that he carries from boat to boat, whether day sailing on his Corsair F-24 or setting out on a test sail. While it doesn’t contain everything hed like to have, it holds enough to get most small boats home for dinner. In 35 years of sailing he has yet to require assistance on the water and he plans to keep it that way.

Although the kit will differ slightly from boat to boat, the contents should focus on fixing the essentials; propulsion, steering, and keeping the water out. A few items are too big to fit in a convenient bag (ropes, boat hook, and a wet suit for cooler water), but they should be on the boat.

Sails and Rigging Repairs

Although a dismasting far from shore is beyond the scope of this kit, most other sail and rig trouble can be managed with some rope that should be on the boat and a few carefully selected pieces of equipment. Common problems are torn sails (reef or change sails), failed blocks (create a jury rig from a few shackles, carabiners, slings, or a snatch block), and broken lines (reeve a spare or redirect an unused line). Reefing will reduce the loads on your jury rig.

A selection of shackles, soft shackles, and carabiners. A snatch block is handy, but a pair carabiners and a soft shackle will substitute.

Some 6- to 50-foot lengths of rope. Should be on the boat.

Polyester cord. A sailors duct tape. Dyneema sounds like the modern version, but it can be too slippery, so bring both.

Tape. Sail repair tape, electrical tape, and athletic tape.

Sail repair kit. A stitch in time can save nine. A small spool of #4 whippingtwine, a needle and palm, a knife, a roll of sail repair tape, and a few yards of webbing can handle most minor problems. Include reinforced Mylar tape for laminate sails, since needle holes function like the tear-here perforations on a magazine subscription card. If you must stitch, stitch through a layer of polyester sail repair tape.

Rigging wire. We like monel because it is more malleable.

Outboard Engine Repairs

Since our focus here is on small daysailers, well only talk about outboards here. It helps to learn enough about motors to diagnose the really simple stuff. Unlike cars, most don’t run on computers. However, unless the problem is simple to fix, you’ll be sailing home.

If your destination has strong currents wait for slack tide. Choosing an alternate destination is also an option.

Sail to an anchorage. When choosing the anchorage, consider the wind direction, including morning conditions; its no use reaching up a narrow creek, only to face an impossible tacking battle in the morning. Practice setting and recovering the hook under sail. The sail plan for sailing on and off the anchor will vary by boat, and situation. Where ever you anchor assume you may have to sail off. Hopefully, by morning you may have sorted the engine problem out.

Sail into your slip. Safety should be your guide, but this is often not as unreasonable as it sounds. Again, the sail plan for this will vary by situation, the idea is to set the minimum maintain maneuverability. Furling sails come in handy here. Remember that you have no brakes (backing the jib does very little and will make the boat turn away) so have a bail-out plan.

Sail close and anchor. If you can’t get right into your slip, then either kedge in, beg a tow, or use the tender. In a small boat, you can probably nose up to a piling or finger pier and then warp into a slip.

But lets say you really need the engine. If the engine was running well earlier, chances are good it is something very simple.

Air leak. The tiniest suction leak in the fuel hose can make the pump cavitate. These can be brought on by motion underway or lifting and lowering an outboard. Look for loose clamps, cracked lines, and cracked fittings where the fuel line attaches to the pump or outboard. Generally, there will be some evidence of leakage, but some only leak inwards or when the engine shakes.

Water in the fuel. It was OK when you left the dock, but got stirred up underway. Is there low drain point (possible with diesel, never with gasoline)? Worst case scenario, borrow a fuel line from somewhere, bail some good fuel off the top into a dry soda bottle, duct tape it to a bulkhead (only above deck if gasoline) and run off that. This requires close attention, but I’ve done it twice.

Clogged filter. If it is an outboard, most dinghies and small kicker filters are practically interchangeable and you have one in the bag. If its a diesel with a large filter, hope the owner has a spare on board. If there are multiple filters, can one be safely by-passed?

No ignition? Install a new plug or clean the one you have. Probably not much else you can fool with at sea.

Flooded? Very common with certain motors. You must close the choke to get them to start, but if you pull more than twice, open it too soon or throttle down too soon, the intake loads up. Push the choke in and go do something else for 10 minutes. Pull 2-3 times with the choke in, then pull it out and see if it coughs.

Outboard engine won’t stay down (broken tilt lock). Tie it down with rope.

Shifting or throttle linkages not working. Disconnect and operate manually at the transmission or engine. Vise grips or cord can help.

Tools for Outboard Engine Repairs

End wrenches in a roll. A light spray of rust preventative will keep them rust-free. Unlike a plastic case, it won’t slide off the deck.
Pliers, several types.
Adjustable wrench and vise grips.
Several sparkplug wrenches.
Screwdrivers. One multi-type, and several straight and phillips.
Strap wrench for filters.
Small wire brush and some emery cloth.
Waterproof grease.
Small flashlight for seeing in tight corners.
In-line fuel filter and some small hose clamps.
A few short lengths of fuel hose and a few fittings and barbs and splicers.
Hacksaw blade.
Swim goggles. A mask is better. Also a wet suit or drysuit if the water is too cold for swimming.

Electrical Boat Repairs

Electrical problems can be related to the engine, but running lights and sump pumps are also vital. The trouble is usually a broken wire (splice it), corroded fitting (replace), or a bad connection (clean, grease, and re-connect).

Crimping tools, including strippers, ratchet crimpers, and a small collection of fittings and heat shrink is essential. Pill bottles work well for stowing these. Sure, you could splice wires together and wrap with tape for a temporary connection, but crimping is fast, ensures a more positive connection, and will stand up better to vibration.

Multimeter. A mid-level multimeter that measures AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, frequency, capacitance, resistance, tests diodes, and checks continuity will be more than enough.

Cable ties. Not so much for wiring as for other things.

Five feet of #14 twin lead wire. If you need smaller, trim a few strands off the end. If you need bigger, double it.

Barbecue lighter. Use this for shrinking tubing and melting fresh cut ropes.

Steering Problems

More boats are probably rescued for loss of steering than taking on water or bad weather. Something jams and all you can do is go in circles.

Steering cable or chain breaks. You should have an emergency tiller at the ready (not the bottom of a locker). Regularly check for fit and function.

Broken or jammed rudder. Although emergency rudders are possible, steering with a drogue is far simpler and can be rigged with what you have on hand in 15 minutes. It works under sail but is even easier under power (see Steering Without a Rudder for the details). An anchor suspended closely under a fender makes a good jury drogue.

Wrapped a rope around the rudder or propeller. Crab pots and lobster pots are a common hazard, but also loose bits of floating fishing line and nets. Often diving with a knife is the only answer, but sometimes a boat hook or a pair of boat hooks can maneuver it off.

Keeping Water Out of the Boat

If the electric bilge pump isn’t working, it is probably due to either a bad wire or connection, the automatic float switch is stuck or failed (perhaps you can bypass it). A dirty bilge can lead to clogging; clean the strainer, and if there is a check valve, check that too.

Duct tape. Failed hoses and pipes can be patched with duct tape (use lots), tightly wrapped with parachute cord or braced with hose clamps. For larger holes, wrap a layer of tape, insert a slightly oversized flexible metal or plastic patch, and tape over that.

Hose clamps. For -inch to 1 -inch hoses. Although not the strongest, those with continuous slots fit more sizes. If they are all the same type and width, they can be combined to get home.

Butyl tape. No curing time, works wet, and it doesn’t dry up in the bag.

Bucket. Sometimes the pump just can’t get going.

Avoid Repairs with Diligent Maintenance

Most of these hypothetical repairs (no-never happened to us!) might have been avoided if we had inspected the boat regularly and taken what we noticed to heart. A thorough inspection in the spring and at mid-season is a good use of time, and a sailor should always be listening to the engine and looking at the rigging for changes.

The Sailboat Tool Bag

On larger boats, the sky is the limit as to what you can carry. For smaller cruisers, everything can fit in one bag. Some folks like a zippered bag. That’s smart, since nothing can fall out. But these bags can make it hard find anything either.

With an electricians bag (see photo), it constantly reminds me of everything that we have, allowing us to make better use of fewer things. They are made for working up ladders, and so we can hang it if need be, and cleaned out, it doubles as riggers bag for masthead work.

Your kit, of course, should be tailored to fit your boat. Aim to keep the boat afloat and under way. You don’t need to fix what’s broke, just get her safely pointed in the right direction.

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Scout 14 Complete Package

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Introducing the brand new SCOUT 14 ! By popular request, we've created a new bigger and better version of our crowd favorite 10' Scout dinghy kit. The layout will look familiar, but this time you've got room for a family, bring along the dog, and you'll find even more dry stowage below dck for gear. Though you've now got 14 feet of boat to play with, it's still quite a lightweight boat at around 100 pounds.

Our Founders Build group built the first five Scout 14s at the Northwest Maritime Center in April 2024. We were lucky enough to have Matt from The Duracell Project in the group, building his very own Scout 14 as his tender for Duracell. He documented the entire build over 4 episodes, and it's very worth a watch if you want to see what goes into building this fantastic kit boat for yourself! (Find all four episodes linked in the "Video" tab on this page.)

This complete package includes:

CNC cut marine grade plywood and foam parts
Epoxy and fiberglass kit
Full sailing rig (choose Tanbark or White sail)
Hardware and deck hatches

Building Duracell's Dinghy [E123]

You can take a class at the Maritime Center Boat Shop in Port ...

This Dinghy Comes Together FAST [E124]

You can purchase the Scout 14 Kit here: https://duckworks.com/...

This is NOT your Average Dinghy [E125]

If you missed the first two episodes of the Dinghy Build, this...

The Dinghy meets the Duracell! [EP 126]

Scout 10 Complete Package

Scout 10 Sailing Package

Scout 10 Daggerboard and Rudder Package

Scout 10 Epoxy and Fiberglass Package

Scout 10 Deck Hardware and Hatches Package

Scout 10 CNC Kit

IMAGES

Nesting Expedition Dinghy
Sailing Boat Kits
Model Shipways 1475 124 Nonsuch 30 Cruising Sailboat Wood Model Ship
Sailing Boat Kits
Aerokits Sea Commander Cabin Cruiser Kit
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VIDEO

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PocketShip in Port Townsend
This Kit boat has everything
PT11 nesting dinghy exploring
Kayak Sail Kit (Homemade)
Surfing the nesting dinghy in Monterey

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Petrel 28| family cruising sailboat
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Kit includes: All BS 1088 marine grade plywood and marine grade foam parts—hull, decks, seats, etc. Scout. LOA-10' 4". Beam- 50". Draft- 4 1/2". Capacity- 2-3 people. Weight- 65 to 75 lbs. Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with minimum means.
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Scout 14 Complete Package. Introducing the brand new SCOUT 14! By popular request, we've created a new bigger and better version of our crowd favorite 10' Scout dinghy kit. The layout will look familiar, but this time you've got room for a family, bring along the dog, and you'll find even more dry stowage below dck for gear.