How to Make a Sailboat out of Styrofoam

[@rdc2724]

Great demonstration of what can be done with simple materials and a creative brain! You must have heard "that can't be done" so many times....

[@carlosclaptrix]

I love these creative builds out of rather cheap materials. It's just more fun than buying completed products. Thanks for the video!

[@WMichaelDeJonge]

Just curious, when sailing, did you find that it would perform pretty well without the daggerboard? It seems that with those narrow hulls, it wouldn't really need the daggerboard.

[@tomd.3082]

Josh, saw this video after countless other "styrofoam" boat videos. I liked you idea so much, I'm currently building a 12' LOA with a 7.5' beam version of your boat. I'm going to use 2" foam instead of 1" for better floatation and load capacity. I'm also going to wrap the pontoons in "poor man's fiberglass" for durability. I've aquired a 14,5' fiberglass mast from a windsurfer and going to make a boomless sail. Hoping to have it done in a couple weeks. If all goes well in her maiden voyage across Barnegat Bay, I'll post up some video. Thanks for the great idea!

[@michaelrapirap4647]

any updates on your version?

[@Nikita4ever7000]

Can you make a Video of you making it? And how you found the Materials.

[@pablociocca690]

@Chris Peters LOL

[@tomd.3082]

@@michaelrapirap4647 I got the 2 hulls built, started on the deck and decided I didn't feel like living on land anymore. So, I sold the project for the cost of what I had into it to a buddy, sold the house, all of the unnecessary material possessions and bought a 37' sailboat.

[@crpth1]

Nice. I particularly liked the concept of the foam panels in vertical position rather than the more common horizontal. That alone made the video worth. :-)

[@sfbluestar]

I'm surprised there is still so much freeboard with such thin hull (if I can call it that)

[@shimxxl]

I had thought you'd lost your mind but I am truly impressed with your build.

[@sinequanon5586]

Good proof of concept...obviously not made for longevity but it works and apparently works quite well. Thumbs up.

[@Dsmuyt]

BRILLIANT ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!!!!THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE IDEA..

[@MateoKupstysChica]

Dude, could you please post the measures of the sail and sail-strukture? Great work! thkx!

[@beesting7198]

Okay! Here you go, you're welcome!

[@atrapalavida6483]

Where are the measures? Thanks!! ;-)

[@adbeck2000]

I'm digging the idea. It could definitely take some innovation but it has a very practical and cheap design. Lovin' it

[@thekryger3460]

I think I’m going to build this for a physics project this year! Thanks a lot!

[@kusnezoff8705]

cool build man. one of a few things I would do is put a wooden dowel in place of the lower bolt for your rudder board so it can break out just in case you hit a reef or sand bar log etc. that will allow it to pivot up, well I think you get the point. I would do something like that for your dagger board make it pivot on the retract and have a wooden dowel in it to keep it in place and again just in case it can break out and allow your board to pivot up and not damage the boat very much if at all. you have the front up so your weight balance is good your nose is not diving into the water so it looks pretty good. I am going to build a boat if we can ever get back to the Philippines the virus really sucks.

[@ukyotachibana7598]

You’re a genius! Thanks for sharing.

[@kriiigern777]

Great work! One of the best designs i have seen. In terms of easy, few materials.. Great idea!

[@Cain-x]

I've always wondered if a dagger/center board is needed since the pontoons already sort of serve that purpose? Nice design.

[@G56AG]

I'm sure someone else has already mentioned this, but I don't see any waterproofing of the wood at all, solid woods will warp and plywood will separate unless all the wood is completely and thoroughly waterproofed.

[@zacharywilliams9737]

Now I’m thinking of making one. I might open AutoCAD and make a similar design a few adjustments, maybe increase the LOA so I can fit more accommodations but keep the beam similar. I can’t afford a slip, so she needs to stay towable. Aside from the rough construction and some concerns I have about the durability of the hardware store rudder assembly, it seems like a nice simple, solid design for someone who wants to get out on the water without paying a fortune.

[@fahadtariq6167]

I made this boat and it works amazing

[@udmbfckx2916]

Learned something awesome today. Thanks! I have a couple of questions for what could be my application. Input is appreciated! 1) I was wondering if this could be done with a waterproof wood substitute since wood will rot sooner than later if used, say, every other weekend and you would wind up trashing it. I would still use the design and the pontoons would be built the same way, albeit with thicker 2 inch foam for better flotation for a guy like me. (I weigh in at 200 lbs). No, I am not into doing extra steps such as covering the wood with fiber and resin, since actually there are companies that sell these boards, but it could get REALLY expensive, maybe someone out there knows of a cheap wood substitute? 2) The other concern would be to build it in a way that is really portable in that it can be assembled and disassembled quickly by using a combination of cotter pins, clasps and straps. So you would carry: a) Pontoons - 2 b) Frame platform broken into 2 or 3 ready to be connected parts and into the pontoons, each one with its own frame section. Some sort of 2 x 4 sized-board(s) under it to provide more rigidity. One of these would have the base to mount the sail. c) Sail mounted on pole, ready to be attached. d) All other HW (which I would acquire from a marine shop for longer, rust-free life. This would help me with 2 requirements: Longer lasting and easily transportable due to assembly/dis-assembly

[@lyovmyshkin8887]

Hey Josh, this is awesome, thanks for sharing! After seeing this, I'm going to build some outriggers (for sailing kayaks and canoes) similar to your amas, but maybe with thin, treated plywood that I seal and paint (or do it up with "poor man's fiberglass" like some of the foamie boats I've seen). I've been looking for a good way to do it and I think you're onto something here.

[@mikedavisleuluai144]

hi any update on your project?

[@immischannel1747]

It is an awesome catamaran! Greetings from Germany!

[@tonatiuholvera6680]

Can you make a video of how you did the sails? I kinda got lost there, thanks

[@Truyen-hay]

Amazing sailboat

[@bradyexe3238]

Can you please post a parts list and some measurements?. Love this and wanna do one myself

[@frcardim1]

Congratulations! Fabulous plan

[@jasonbrown5014]

how long and tall are the pontoons? how heavy is it, total?

[@juliandorrell2079]

👍 Nice concept to reality build. Simple enough that even a young teen with some tools skills and knowledge could build. I mention this because as a young man I wanted to build a sunfish sailboat and have the plans but could not do everything on my own. One question though, how did you get the mast and sails?

[@AdrianaGarcia-lq4nb]

Great creation! Only please could you tell me about the sail you are using and the ties I am an old lady wanting to do it. Thanks.

[@jackp492]

Very cool design

[@Wisdomofautumn]

Nice video and nice job! I’ve been wanting build my own sailboat, so I may have to try this!!

[@hiilikeyourbeard]

dude this is awesome! how much weight you think this could hold? thinking about using this concept to build a tiny house boat/cabin. thanks for the great video

[@driftlesshermit]

Cool affordable design ! Nice job.

[@steffenbjoern]

Well done! But you forgot to mention that you changed the construction of the rudder as it could not be turned starboard first...

[@thinkdchannel2919]

Very nice. How much load it can carry?

[@PKAdventures]

good job. i like the simple design

[@erchu7975]

Very good idea, giving people a good inspiration

[@karenmarcotte5075]

It's a dagger board not a center board a center board pivots love it so cool

[@martyjames6204]

genius!! well done

[@bambatsa1310]

Hi . Just wondering. don't you need some kind of water proofing? Did you do it off camera perhaps?

[@yamabiru4553]

Awesome work!

[@jerrykeller511]

That was a fantastic cheap, fast, easy way to make a simple sailboat. I wish you had shown more detail of the mast step. It looks like you heated and crimped the bottom of the PVC pipe somehow. Also, luckily you had real sails already. That could be the expensive part, but there is a cheaper way if you're without them. Some people have used Tyvek house wrap, or even tarps to make sails.

[@jjoo6229]

Nice! That is a simple inspirational design to begin with. It is a good start. Good size sails for the boat.

[@Nikita4ever7000]

HEY JOSH BUILDS Have you ever thought of buying or making your own sailboat and sailing around the world? One that you can live on. You could go to the Caribbean, the West Indies, Costa Rica, Belize all those warm climate places when it gets cold here.

[@brice5542]

Good job,whats important is you had fun,

[@lungchan1729]

I think I will build a outrigger for my canoe out of this idea. great job dude.

[@ricardomaya510]

great vid ,,yes simple and quick builds

[@GoBuildIdeas]

Really cool!looking good! I built a raft too recently! Being on the water like this is SO good!

[@robertpersall98]

pretty cool, maybe triple the foam would make it rude higher, handle more weight?

[@prankbuster7830]

Wow this great👍👍👍

[@peterxyz3541]

Wow!!! Yes! Awesome idea! My dream cat can fly at low cost!

[@jamesdrive8083]

Love it, very inspiring. How did you calculate the buoyancy based on the foam? I have been thinking something similar for a take down dinghy to conservative deck space and as emergency backup for off shore.

[@atrapalavida6483]

What kind of glue did you use to join the wood and the styrfoam? Thanks!

[@DiscoLucas]

It's epoxy resin

[@rafaelpetterson2192]

Cool boat josh ..do you have measurements for the parts somewhere ? Would like to build it

[@keithbolland2231]

The rudder mounting looks like it might require a stronger setup.

[@misterbulger]

I think those would make some pretty sweet canoe outriggers

[@texanofalltrades2135]

Josh this is awesome!!!

[@manuelsalorio]

what kind of glue (brand, product, type) do you recomend to use with STYROFOAM?

[@richadams881]

You don't need a center board, the pontoons do the job of a center board with a catamaran.

[@10325jp]

凄いね！！　自然の中に風と共にある・・。僕も作ってみたいなあ・・・

[@UTubeGoNSoft687]

Is this foam great for ocean waters?

[@gaylordsaulsberry5231]

Josh: Do you have a list of materials and dimensions for this great project. Looks great. Looking for a winter project!

[@bibbabibba1975]

I built this not knowing much about boat building. If you are new to sailing and boat building I'd recommend building a Puddle Duck. I sort of followed his plans online, but designed it to be taken apart and put back together, and never made a sail. Great concept and idea, but there are better ways to do this.

[@bobbycampos6576]

I Absofreakinlutely love this!!!! I was thinking of ditching the sail and putting a small motor on it and using it as a fun fishing or sun bathing platform. How is the buoyancy with two adults on it?

[@pacifico-lx7xe]

Cool boat

[@rudolphkotzenberg8176]

I am impressed.

[@rifkyramadhan6889]

Nice plank cataraman hull

[@Ahmed.Bh3]

Is there anyone who can tell us what is the reason for the purple cover??

[@philipfreeman72]

Love joy peace wealth &abundance for all from Thailand .

[@homeslipper]

An ispirational economy of materials and time to build. Another method would be PVC, modular, adjustable. Similar cost and skill set to fabricate. Durability and foam Attach a heavy duty tarp/fabric/plastic sheeting with an adhesive that doesn't melt the foam. Then perhaps rattle can some truck bed liner Colors. I am building one in the Spring time, Schedule 80 pvc, 16'x8' Modular, fits in a small truck bed. With a trebuchet on top for the sail mast. 20' mast height. Cheers!

[@CreatingCreations]

That's really cool. Can you show how to make one out of plastic bottles.

[@Joshbuilds101]

that would be cool, would need alot of bottles though

[@joyfulljelly]

What are the dimensions of the boat? Also what did you use for a sail and mast?

[@adbeck2000]

Sail and mast most likely came off an old sabot or other small sailboats. Also, don't forget about the boom because it's just as important as the mast. Also don't forget the rigging, there wasn't much that he used besides the halyard and mainsheet but it seemed to kinda work.

[@adbeck2000]

Oh, he also used stays. Those are important cause they keep the mast upright. And for the mast's boot, he just used PVC pipe if you couldn't already tell

[@adbeck2000]

Honestly, after all of this. It would probably cost the same amount if not a little more to just buy a little catamaran off your local classifieds. For example, here in San Diego, there is a 16' catamaran for only 200$ and the price isn't firm. So with the correct enthusiasm and bargaining, you could probably that catamaran for 100$

[@adbeck2000]

Also, I forgot to mention, he used a keel. Thats important but a simple piece of plywood like the one he used would be fine. Although, normally catamarans don't have keels.

[@adbeck2000]

Sorry for the spam, hope that helps. Good luck on your sailing adventures!

[@АлександрЯлов-ш1х]

Какая длина катамарана?

[@beaumontmuni]

very nice!👍👍👍

[@filmclubbers3783]

What wood did you use and where did you get it?

[@Vicezak]

This is amazing!

[@stelleratorsuprise8185]

Nice, maybe not perfect but really a great idea. I think with such pontoons you don't need the sword.

[@paweflaytec4507]

Brawo za własciwe materiały. Styropian i styrodur. Firmy produkujace łodzie jachty nie maja pojecia o budowie.Wiem bo sam budowałem zaglówkę i była super a teraz kupiłem i to jest tragedia .Polecam robić samemu.

[@tomaslavicky6757]

LovelyLovelyLovely ..&motivating! Thanks!

[@FulinYu]

Great Project

[@dianavermaak7174]

Awsome video. I used this video to build the same boat. 😃

[@JoaoPaulo-rw8gj]

FAntastic. IS great idea. A like from Brasil!

[@bretgreen5314]

Well done

[@StoneShipman]

Well done.

[@mikeydeloa7348]

Can a bigger one like that cross the ocean? 🤔

[@marcus_k85]

Bloody hell - that's great!

[@majhogee]

Super cool project :) How about the mast and sails? I assume those are store-bought, or is the mast diy as well? :)

[@TheD3m0n93]

Are the dimensions for the wood cuts on this available anywhere?

[@StephanvonEnde]

i wanna know too

[@bcsredrider]

Awesomeness!!

[@Muhammad-dl5pi]

can you show how to make a remote control tank

[@rosalindahughes6914]

does it even float

[@gabriels1256]

Wow, good job!! I wonder how much load you could take with you on that.

[@Joshbuilds101]

it could actually fit 2 people but sat very deep in the water

[@zacharywilliams9737]

Nice build, but get a good jigsaw or hotknife,. A sawzall is meant for demolition and rough construction, not cutting foam. You could also use a skilsaw if you want a nice straight cut, but I’ve tried to cut these kinds of materials with one and the blade spins too fast. The friction melts stuff like foam and soft plastic. A jigsaw is the way to go.

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

That's really cool

[@Tingtvph9226]

i want to make a sail boat like this.

[@savassagr9194]

wonderful

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

Very cool idea ! I just don't picture that boat lasting over a month ! You need to USED marine grade wood and fiberglassing everything to seal it !

[@pareidoliarocks]

And, a complete sailing rig appears from the ether... TA DA ! You can make some pontoons from anything that floats.

[@tantitan8573]

Thats the double surfboard joined together

[@A.Lifecraft]

This does not actually cost 200$ Due to poor choice in Materials and faulty craftmanship, you will have to build a new one every other week, adding up in costs. You should never connect wooden beams by plainly screwing on a latch. Cut those ends diagonally instead and glue them properly together. Also the foam will consume water, causing loss in lift and also fouling. At least cover those Pontoons in tape, better laminate them in fiberglass compound (well that would end up being an actual boat there). You can also use long-term waterproof PVC-piping for pontoons - well everything is better than naked wood and foam. Considering the overall frame, you should never screw wood together mere inches from the end of a beam. This will split out as soon as some load hits, and loads will hit once you sail the thing in real winds.

[@romanmax8561]

All he needs to do is use fiberglass resin and fiberglass cloth to strengthen it and some paint and you would have a pretty good boat there . Basically what he showed was just the fame work of a boat with out finishing it .

[@firetiger1315]

It's like there's some kind of debate going on in the reply section.

[@firetiger1315]

Lifecraft I feel like you're a DT teacher.

[@TheGMEER]

I agree with the serious tone. Seeing how many people want to build one of these, it's important to stress the flaws of the design. The whole standing rigging attached to a couple of screw eye hooks means it's gonna pull itself free in 10kts of wind.

[@savvageorge]

I don't actually think he needs much advice. He proved that a cheap DIY boat can sail pretty dam fast which is amazing in my opinion. Sail had a great shape and was full of wind. I think with a few reinforcements and a bit of varnish boat would last a long time but even if it only lasts a few weeks he could probably build 10 of these boats for the same price as a professional boat.

[@OwnEndymion32]

that's amazing i want to build one

[@Joshbuilds101]

It was actually an awesome project. I would have loved to strap an engine to it