Recent popular movies have brought back the idea of pirates and the open seas. Boys may have never lost the desire to set sail for uncharted waters and to have the salty wind in their faces. Of course, backyard boat building is not a task to be undertaken lightly. These ideas, however, may allow your sons to enjoy building their own wooden boat and setting it a sail.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it, boys are more adventurous than girls; but that doesn\u2019t mean a girl can\u2019t enjoy a good pirate story. However, they\u2019re not as likely to get lost in the idea of faraway places, deserted islands, and pirate treasure as a boy. Boys are more likely to take the time to actually build a boat in the backyard.<\/p>\n
Backyard boat building would be a great activity for Dad and son. Dad can ensure tools are used properly; he can also return tools to their proper place when the work is done. Building a boat also gives the boys a chance to connect with Dad on a different level. All in all it can be a win-win situation for both.<\/p>\n
They may want to search the internet in order to find a boat kit, or they can get a boat-building book from the library. They may also be able to find free instructions online. Don\u2019t give up – if the instructions are out there, they can be found.<\/p>\n
If they\u2019re interested in creating a small boat that they can sail in a pool or the bathtub, it will certainly be easier than building a full-size boat. Building small will also take less time and there will be less chance of injury. You may want to take your son\u2019s desire to build a \u201creal\u201d boat seriously, though. He might just surprise you!<\/p>\n
To make a small boat, your son will need wood, of course – in various dimensions depending upon the size and type he wants to make. They\u2019ll need Dad or another adult to help them use power tools to shape the wood to the desired shapes.<\/p>\n
A flat-bottomed boat will be easier to make than a canoe or kayak, so you might want to use that suggestion. Be sure to use good quality white oak for the stem, or front, of the boat. You\u2019ll also need two sides (port and starboard) and the stern (back of the boat) which can be made from other types of wood. They\u2019ll want to be sure to carefully plane and sand each piece of wood before fastening them together with nails.<\/p>\n
Use galvanized nails to nail together a frame and then hammer the various component boards to it. The bottom of the boat will be added last by turning the boat upside down and nailing the floor to the fame. Try to get the boards to fit as closely as possible to avoid having to use caulk. Seats are normally made from cypress and fastened to the center board.<\/p>\n
When the boat is all together, paint it with a thick, marine paint. The oars will be placed after the boat is complete and dry. Then the boys can see if their new boat is sea-worthy by taking it, along with Dad, to a pond or lake. <\/p>\n
Backyard boat building may not always be an activity that boys participate in, but you can be sure they would love to build a boat and set sail for imaginary places. This is a perfect activity for a boy and his dad, or another male figure, which can do more to build their relationship than get their boat in the water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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