Building a Boat from Free Plans
Ever wonder whether anyone actually builds a boat from the free plans we offer here at Duckworks? Here's a success story from builder Mic Dales, who completed his Drifter 16 trimaran from free plans in only 3.5 months!
![]() |
||
The Drifter 16 Trimaran plans are among the many great boat plans offered for free at Duckworks.com |
Here is what Mic had to say about the 108-day build:
"During the summer my son, who lives right next to me, got his girls interested in sailing. First on a Sunfish, then on a Hobie Cat 16. They moved near us in Florida in the winter. When they got here they took sailing lessons on a Catalina 31. When I got back to Florida I felt the girls needed a boat they could sail here. I did some research and decided the drifter 16 would be right for them, and I was confident in my ability to build it. I was delighted when I discovered your free download, which turned out to be very well detailed. I built it in about 3 1/2 months and encountered no problems."
Mic does have previous experience boatbuilding and woodwoorking, which definitely helps!
"I am 81 years old, and have done a lot of wood working for the last 20 years, and construction work the previous 40 years. In the summer I live on a lake in New Hampshire, and winter on Florida's west coast. I have built a couple of canoes and a small skiff in the past, and last summer embarked on a much larger boat project—I built a Redwing 18 launch with an electric outboard. I got up to the point of painting it when I put it to bed for the winter. Next summer I will paint it and want to put an awning on it with solar panels."
Marine ply is hard to get in lengths over 8' these days so for this project a scarf joint was necessary in each plank. This router with the attached base and a simple jig to maintain the correct angle, generally 1:8 in plywood and 1:12 in solid wood, is how Mic cut his scarfs.
Mic's router with jig.
You can never have too many clamps!
Heeling pretty far to port! ;)
Great job on the build, Mic! I'm sure your granddaughters will have many good adventures. Hope that your success building from free plans inspires others to give it a shot, too! See Drifter 16 Trimaran Plans, browse all Free Plans, or shop Boat Building Supplies now!
Recent Posts
-
Duckworks Takeover 2024 at NWMC!
We're excited to share some fun boat builds from this year's Duckworks Takeover at the Northwest …Apr 13th 2024 -
Sail Into Spring with New Boat Designs
Ahoy there, fellow DIY boat builders! With spring on the horizon, it's the perfect time to set sa …Mar 4th 2024 -
R2AK Under 20' Side Bet Winner - Wave Forager!
There's a well-known folk adage out in the world, 'The proof of the pudding is in the eating.' Bu …Aug 9th 2023