Glen-L.com

Hello,
I am in need of some advice on wether or not using these free plans vs. Glen-L Tiny Titan Plans is a good idea. The link here is to a popular mechanics article on how to build a Saucy Shingle (from my own research is the same as the Tiny Titan). http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoor ... ng/1277141

I am fourteen years old, and this is my first boat ever, but I have plenty of other woodworking expierience.

I am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks in advance

Hi Skimaster. Welcome.

There are a couple of advantages to buying the Glen-L plans:

1) the instructions are likely to be more comprehensive. I have not bought that particular plan set, but for the plans I have bought, the instructions are much more detailed than in the link you have posted. For your first boat, the extra instruction would be helpful.

2) you will get better support from this Glen-L community. We are very open and inclusive to other designers, but we are more familiar with the Glen-L designs and methods. You are more likely to get advice from people who have build the Tiny Titan here. When people are not active on the forum, you can reach out to people on the project registry.

Good luck with whatever choice you make. Please keep us informed of your progress.

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

Thanks for the prompt answers, does anyone who has built the Tiny Titan know how long it takes to build it?

Again open to any ideas

Skimaster

Roberta is building the Super Spartan right now. Maybe she can give you an idea of time.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Welcome Skimaster

Like the others have stated, the instructions will be better with the plans.

In addition, the full size patterns included with the plans make it much easier to lay out the parts (the parts that have patterns as not all parts are patterned)

You might try drawing it out from the magazine and see how it goes,then order the plans/patterns if you find that you are having trouble.

I would also draw out on cheap paneling first, make a pattern,cut it out and use these to transfer to you final, expensive "good" wood

My suspicion is that many of these have been built from the magazine over the years, so it can be done....only you can answer which is best for you.

We will help no matter which route you go!

Check your PM box too....I sent you one

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

The Tiny Titan/ Saucy Shingle look to be somewhat simpler than the Super Spartan. These are both Glen L designs. I would think about 100 hrs to build plus finishing. Depends on how fancy you get with finishing details that could take more time but not that much more.

I would opt for a full size set of plans unless you feel comfortable lofting small diagrams to full size patterns. Good luck!!

Roberta

_________________
Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

I'm very familiar with the Popular Mechanics plans and instructions and they are the same as the plans that Glen-L will ship you if you decide to go that route. I downloaded the PM ones and bought the Glen-L plans and compared them. The key difference is that Glen-L will send full sized blueprints; whereas, if you use the Popular Mechanics drawings (which were done by Glen-L) you'll have to loft to full sized yourself, but that can be part of the fun/challenge that you may want to experience.

Either way, good luck and I hope you'll end up having a great time building.

I do know to cut a Super Spartan kit, ... it takes 16 hours.

A question like that is not really answerable. If your a teenager with no one to help you, it will take forever and a day.

If you do not have a table saw, ... pack on a ton more hours.

If you have not taken a wood shop course in school, ... pack on even more hours, ...

Your experience with tools, woodworking and to be able to see shapes that are not their yet, ... will determine how long it takes to build.

It will get built, ... just not as quick as someone who already possesses all those skills and tools listed above

Bill

_________________
Bill

TNT Build, ... On Going, ... http://tinyurl.com/abmae64

The Freebie Zip, ... On Going, ...http://tinyurl.com/at3udss

Super Spartan Build, ... Completed, ...http://tinyurl.com/b488wsz

I have been working on refinishing my Tiny Titan the past 6 months and it has taken forever only because I am trying to balance school and work. But the work on the boat included stripping the original paint, sanding the bottom flat because the builder didn't know how to use the fiberglass resin and put way to much on. I used a technique my dad taught me which is to use paper towels to dab the excess epoxy off so that you can just see the weave of the cloth. Also I filled depressions and scratches with epoxy mixed with colloidal silica, used penetrating epoxy on the wood because the builder used regular plywood instead of marine grade, and finally I have primed the whole boat, and put the first final coat of paint on. I hope this can give you an idea of how long it will take.
Good luck!
Dan