New Homemade Catamaran. Stitch And Glue Plywood Self-Build (It’s Easy But Quite Sticky)

Another catamaran?? Why not! They’re great fun, safe, easy to make and - with a bit of luck - they’re light enough for one person to carry around on their own.
This is the “stitch and glue” version - and I think it looks pretty good. I might not bother with the glass-fibre cloth next time though - does it add much except weight?
In case you missed the earlier builds - check out the other videos in the ‘Catamaran’ play list. I am learning a whole lot..
The mast and sails are from the Mirror dinghy that my grandfather built back in the 1970s - the rest of the boat is gone now.
Any advice for me? (What have I done wrong this time??)
Ok, here are some important website links. Please check them out..
Here's Tim's amazing guitar machine..
www.chordelia.com
here's our online store where you can see some of the craft things we make and sell..
www.wayoutwestemporium.com/
and here's our Patreon page where you can see more of our plans and dreams. (Remember even 5 dollars would make a BIG difference to us and we'd be very grateful.)
www.patreon.com/user?u=2761318&ty=h
and finally our FaceBook page way.outwest.524/ (Not quite sure what to do with this but we put photos and extra comments when we get around to it..)
Thank you!
Sandra & Tim
[e-mail]
Copyright WayOutWest. All rights reserved. Please share if you like, but don’t copy or use without permission. Just get in touch via email blowinblog @ gmail.com
Don’t steal our stuff!

[@markbrown-sb2zm]

Next thing might be to add a hydrofoil to the keels ? At first I thought it resembled a craft meant to fly to the moon.Fantastic job,great to pick the fruit of your mind and make tangible the incessant pondering ? Very satisying indeed,I wish the pair of you many happy ventures.

[@RalphReagan]

Glad to see scarfing!

[@makingitthrough190]

So many people would think they could never afford a sailing boat. And nobody would think you could just knock one together in a day or two! Nothing is impossible! I live in Canada and just love watching you create almost anything you need and even the things that are just pure fun!

[@tentmaran]

You great and fun to watch. Wel wel done.. 👍👍

[@jaminova_1969]

This is the guy I want to be marooned with! Which makes me think, the Professor and Skipper really never had any intention or desire to get off the island!

[@redsailor101]

Love you two!

[@Tinalala1]

You are so clever to use your resources!

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

Tim the narration is some of the best parts of your videos.. I have now subscribed.. thanks for the funny videos and lots of great inventions and you never know you might get a gig on the Inventors TV show that we used to watch as kids.. haha..(is it still about?) showing my age now.. some 40+ years ago on ABC TV. BTW I am a wooden boat sailor and maker so I can relate to a lot of this.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Tim. Welcome aboard!

[@annaturba]

For you it is a prototype, for me, this would be the project of my lifetime! You are so industrious and full of ingenuity! I am in awe.

[@nuwanthilakarathna9326]

Really great exllant ..👊👊👊👊

[@tobiasescher5760]

Nice job

[@elkgunner]

I love building small boats also, and I make it up as I go. Good job. I like your ingenuity.

[@colinnorthcott9219]

"Humming in the quiet bits"...you are going to give the BBC a run for their money if you start adding extras like that. Thanks again for a most excellent video and I await more benign sea conditions for your trials. Cheers from Canada.

[@zetacon4]

Beautiful design and you are very handy with your construction methods. I hope to see you enjoying that new version soon. Great work.

[@ozskipper]

Pommy handly men are crazy.. I love it.

[@TheDriftwoodcanoe]

well done Tim. can't wait to see her on the water. A good technique for stitch and glue I learned too late is to drill your screw holes oversize and fill with epoxy, and then re-drill again to create a waterproof fit. In any case thats the weak point I found in my boat, a quick fix us bee keepers can use is the old waxed screws.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, John. I pulled the wire out (and almost all the screws too) before the resin went on. Would that help?

[@TheDriftwoodcanoe]

I am sure it does. My boat had some though hull fasteners for rudder and such and thats where I had problems. looking forward to seeing it sail

[@makingitthrough190]

Sorry, just have to add that the image of you walking with the boat as if you and it were just out for an evening stroll. Brilliantly comedic! I am still smiling

[@ozzieineire]

never a dull moment with you guys, I really enjoy all your videos. hope she sails well.

[@TheMrWoodsman]

What a clever man you are, I live on the Isle of Man and have often thought of building my own boat, you may have just encouraged me to give it a go. Thank you.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Go for it!

[@jasonpatterson8091]

Ditto, except I'm right on Lake Huron in the States.

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

I always enjoy your videos. Both you and your wife are inspiring. Thanks.

[@christinesaint9414]

Thanks for sharing with us, I really enjoy watching all you get up to and the way you get round any problems that come along. Best wishes, Christine

[@eugeniosolari]

I guess you need not more congratulations, you might have tons already!!! But cannot hold my fingers to say I am glad for you, that is what for me is living life!!! Hugs!!

[@brianmulligan6239]

I'm amazed at how your mind works. Best of luck and be safe!

[@whyohwhy357]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Great job! Though it was fast it made me feel more comfortable with trying to fiberglass my own hull. I hope it brings you many years of joy. God bless

[@tropifiori]

A very smart looking job. I cant wait to see you sail it. Kudos Frank

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Frank.

[@eformance]

Colin Chapman said "add lightness", seems like the perfect ethos for building a catamaran.

[@WayOutWestx2]

attitude to life, baking cakes, gardening, everything!

[@dananelson3534]

Thanks for sharing. That's a keen bit of boat building. Look for forward to see how it sails.

[@FANG1950]

Can't wait to watch you sail her....The best to you both.... PS: and what Gary Z said....wrap the mast with fiberglass and resin......

[@WayOutWestx2]

makes sense, alright..

[@AgsiSD]

You guys are such a pleasure to watch. I wish you were our neighbours. Bit far to South Australia though. Cheers to you both. ☺️☘️

[@billc1055]

I like the use of PVC for a rudder hinge. Who knew it was that easy to heat and manipulate. I might try that for my DIY kayak rudder.

[@MrVailtown]

Nice Job, can't wait to see you sail it .

[@RandallLakedogpix]

Wonderful. I can hardly wait to see how she sails.

[@foobargorch]

The worst part of building two of anything is that by the time you've applied all the lessons to the second one, you are liable to build a third because the first one now feels inadequate. Looks like you did a good job avoiding that :)

[@larrymoore4072]

Hi, very good idea to make it the way you did . I look forward to see her on the water ..

[@reb4898]

You are so clever...

[@asdfdfggfd]

Oh thankyou so much for this video! I will make sure to come back and show you my iteration on your design!!!

[@japmaharlikandamayo6715]

Thank you for uploading this video Sir it will be a lot of help for me. for one day i will build like this and a little modification. from you i have foundational knowledge in building catamaran un a fastest way.

[@senjos4805]

So great!! Waiting to see what comes next!!

[@Kirmeins]

I love catamarans!

[@JuanGarcia-nd5py]

Hi friends, we have to wait the second chapter ......no problem ....no anxiety.... jajajja . Juan from Uruguay.

[@mauifisi8720]

Subscribed cause I like your humor.

[@philipfreeman72]

Love joy peace wealth & abundance for all from Thailand .

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

I bet _James Wharram_ would approve...😊

[@martinblouin3639]

awesome! can,t wait to see the maiden voyage!

[@bromaxx]

Great stuff, glad to see the red sails of your Mirror ( 29220 ) being reused!

[@pcharliep61]

Fantastic, that came up really good can't wait till I see on the water.

[@josephritter2431]

I just had a couple of friends pass away on a catamaran because of a low hanging electrical poll they hit. 😞 I saw this and it reminded me of them.

[@shanek6582]

The Boy Scouts? I'm sorry

[@josephritter2431]

Shane K Yes, it's been a hard week but we're getting through it.

[@WayOutWestx2]

So sorry to hear that, Joseph.

[@queenofyeay]

The bit that the rudder attaches to is called a skeg. I watch a lot of sailboating videos and they talk about "skeg hung rudders" all the time... : )

[@WayOutWestx2]

Oh, right. Thanks! (Breeding pair of skegs, anyone?)

[@Frisenette]

Way Out West Blow-in blog, might come from the Scandinavian word for beard.

[@al35mm]

Yes, they are called skegs and the rudder is normally hung on pintles :)

[@garrisonstanleigh6146]

WOW ..GREAT JOB ...

[@Rico-Suave_]

Great video, very nice build, thanks for sharing

[@jpmion]

Great work Tim!

[@sharonlong8969]

Just.... WOW!!!!

[@jeffreyblye287]

Great stuff as always!

[@ianstradian]

Very well done

[@DagarothBlackrose]

I love the fact that you're using a sail from a Mirror Dinghey 11 :P

[@jasonpatterson8091]

1:20 That alone made me subscribe.

[@markbiteler]

Well done!

[@robinbennett5994]

Great job! I like how your parallel 'ladder' gives you a sharper V at the front. FWIW, the rudder-keel is a skeg and the triangle at the front is a breasthook. Fibreglassing is much easier if you can tip it over and work one horizontal surface at a time. Also, you can mix microballoons into the fill coat of resin to save weight - then it smooths out really nicely and doesn't need much sanding.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Robin. Skegs! I know they don't help the boat go around but they're invaluable as legs on the shore/trailer. I was wondering whether the glass was of any real benefit - any thoughts? I know it's good against abrasion, but it doesn't make it any more water-tight, does it?

[@robinbennett5994]

I think there are various levels of water tightness. Plywood and ordinary gloss paint is sufficiently waterproof if you only sail for a few hours and store the boat in a barn to dry off, but it will gradually absorb water if it's stored outside in the rain. Even with a tarp over it, the wood will be wet where it touches the tarp. Covering in glass means you can store it in the rain, or even afloat - although you should ventilate the inside to avoid dry rot. Glass adds a lot of strength too of course.

[@randysheffield3678]

love yall's show...... do more

[@bipedalhominid6815]

You sound like the guy from the lighthouse in the purge episode of Rick and Morty. Hopefully someone will get this! Or even kind of like the fish "clouse" from American Dad...

[@skullcraftcustoms]

I like that you don't claim to be an expert. You are a doer not a talker and that's great. I am like that too. I have done unmanned boats, heli's and planes for years and that taught me quite a bit. I am sort of a concept designer of sorts "unofficially." A few years ago I became obsessed with building a robotic, solar powered water jet catamaran because "CATS" are cool. So a few ideas I have for ya that make glassing i little less hassle.. The 90 degree bends will always cause an air pocket which will be weak and eventually break loose, chip or turn into a hole. The more rounded the 90 bend is (Base of your hull) the less likely you will end up with this issue. I lay one shredded layer down first to spread the cloth wide enough to grab good then while still curing will spray 90 adhesive down to make the boat tacky. That will then hold all of the glass in place for ya and you can dry squeegee it down to shape and contour. Another way is to use a paint roller and wet the entire wood you are working with. You will find if it is wetted out with a roller you will use way less resin and it will also go on quicker and you'll have more time before curing. Overall what you've done is great, especially not being a formal glassing boat shop for sure!! Keep up the great work. We all learn from each other. I'm still getting my KZbin degree as we speak!

[@thecorbies]

Well, it started out looking 'a bit Heath-Robinson', but actually it's looking reasonably useful now. Looking forward to seeing the maiden voyage. Good luck! Regards Mark in the UK

[@Trim1]

Great boat!!!!

[@josephlavoie2253]

Well done.

[@neekniggit3606]

That is very cool. I may build one myself.

[@jamesleal9981]

"At this point I'll be waterproof." Awesome😂

[@HarrySlingerT]

What a truly wonderful and inspiring video it's so amazing seeing DIY come to life, it's as if we are learning as we go along with you. And Furthermore we love your house and your workshop. We wished we lived near by so we could build boats together.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thank you so much!

[@VeganV5912]

@@WayOutWestx2 , 🤥.. 🐮🔪⛓😭/😵🔴🦠🍖🐔. Hypoooocrite 🤥. Big Time !!!! Over a frigging 5 minute hamburger etc !!!!!! CuIt🔴foIIowing !!!! Don’t hurt your dog 😍🤗🐶🤥 . You don’t hurt your cute little bunny rabbit 😍🤗🐰🤥 ! You can have vegan burgers and vegan chicken and vegan pizza and vegan curry and vegan tacos and vegan burritos..... without murder !!! Simple !!! ✅🤷🏼‍♂️. Vegan burgers blindfold test, Number 1 ever, delicious !!!! KZbin delicious vegan food, cheap and delicious !!! It’s time to change ✅😉

[@Judas1911WR1]

you are living my dream :)

[@WayOutWestx2]

No, it's our dream! But you can share it : - )

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I came to know your channel some time ago from your old boat building video and have been a happy viewer. I like your videos but love your boat videos. They are very original and practical. I look forward to your sailing the new boat very much. If the boat is too heavy you may try adding removable wheels to the skegs or keels, but you've probably already thought about that. I make a lot of videos but do not spend the time to make them half as fun to watch as yours, thanks for making and sharing. Thumbs up.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thank, Robb. I wish I had more time too. The boat launch happened - but no time to make the video yet. Maybe tomorrow...

[@Strato50]

Great video, I laughed out loud a few times, well done!

[@Valeriolopes1967]

My inspiration!

[@shanek6582]

That's so cool! I've built several cedar and cyprus canoes and use west system resin so because it doesn't yellow over time like standard resin. I might have to try a catamaran next.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Shane. I would have used that resin but it's twice the price. (But if I'd made mine from cedar it would be worth it..)

[@troymohammed6887]

i love this man and woman and bob to

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Excellent build and video. Waiting for the launch. I'm getting ideas for converting my canoe to sails. A little trickier to build, but dagger boards instead of keels would make it more versatile. Considering something like that for my canoe lee boards.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Good luck with your build. Otter boards would mean you wouldn't have to cut into your canoe - one on each side?

[@workwithnature]

Ha Tim what will you come up with next. Great! I imagined them sound effects they were exceptional :)

[@WayOutWestx2]

Good man yourself!

[@ad-dajjal7133]

Hi, What an amazing video very impressed , the only thing I would change is the fibreglass that you used its called twill . I would recommend 45 degree biax it's thicker and stronger , and also cheaper . You will use less resin this way so it will also weigh less ...the only down side is its rougher to touch than than the twill , but the epoxy goes off quicker as the glass is thicker . Keep up the good videos.....

[@ronmartinmhg2804]

A very interesting video. Takes me back to making the Mirror dinghy, stitch and glue method for my kids in the 50s. I used to tow my Fireball and the Mirror went on top of our Mini. Holiday kit in the Fireball. Those were the days before I left England. I'm waiting to see how your boat performs! All your videos are interesting. You seem to be a hive of knowledge and more importantly, able to turn your hands to anything. Great stuff

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Ron. It seems to me that there was a time when more people were building their own boats (and planes) and we've lost that part of the adventure these days.

[@ronmartinmhg2804]

Maybe because now our time is taken up with mobile phones and selfies. Fortunately we were without these hindrances in the 50s and so had time to amuse ourselves in a more beneficial way. Yes. I'm retro man I suppose.

[@dennisalanvids]

man love your channel!!! One of my subscribers told me to check you out! Great motivation for my homestead build!! Thanks

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Dennis. We'll dip into yours too - always interesting to see how other people do things..

[@grahamrdyer6322]

Can't wait

[@SAWOK12]

Well done! I think the word you were looking for ('the keel before the rudder') was "skeg."

[@deirdrecollins3987]

I think you are amazing!

[@200932me]

Bravo!

[@FedericoLucchi]

Very nice project! I want to make something similar this summer, but I think I'll screw several cross sections inside the hulls to give it a more "rounded" shape. I am more worried about its solidity than its weight. ;)

[@I_M_Nonno]

Wrap that broken mast with fiberglass and resin. Use a crisscross pattern of strips. It will be better than new.

[@WayOutWestx2]

good plan. Thanks, Gary.

[@user-ym5dm9xd5w]

The "rudder keel" is called the skeg.

[@deecee3573]

one small advise ,aply resin on the plywood before adding the cloth .this way you will get a much better bond between the cloth and the wood

[@snuffly569]

great video, you are a talented man, btw the part you didn't know the name of (rudder keel you named it) is called a "skeg"

[@themasterwhippingandpluggi5965]

tnx for the video

[@gabesennheiser]

the nice thing about this type of prototyping is 1 its cheaper and 2 if you get the design down you can strip the completed boat down and use the hulls as bucks to make a fiberglass version. just be sure to gel coat, polish, wax, and add release before using the prototype as a fiberglass mold.

[@SpaceSmurf3000]

Hope it works out!

[@Bshwag]

your goofy commentary was a good laugh thank you.

[@wolneymateus5833]

Bamboo Master

[@wolneymateus5833]

Mast.

[@jbbolts]

Of course one needs to keep the mast when breaking it was the reason to build a new boat in the first place... makes perfect sense... :p

[@rtchow3000]

first off, i would like to thank you for this video, innovation putting your idea into practice. if you don't mind my suggestion, instead of using plywood, which can become waterlogged. that means the water will add weight and the plywood will separate in time. why not use linoleum and fill internal with spray foam insulation which will be flexible and lighter. just seal the seams with waterproof sealer. at the bottom of the catamarans, glue with adhesive with thick protective abrasive rubber. my project for my mini-pontoon will be a large mainsail made of the ultra-light parachute material and a small tail triangle sail with the same material as a secondary sail for high wind. operation. both sails will be using mini-pully to ease of up/down hoisting whenever the wind dictates. i will also have a troller and deep cycle battery using solar power to charge the lithium battery. i will put on youtube video once i get it 100% rigged and trial at the nearby river. wear your life vest at all time in case the craft tipped over or man overboard. have a safe watersport.

[@russellmoore1533]

Great video, looking forward to its test sail. Just a few thoughts, I'd have painted the inside with waterproof paint before I put on the decks, and those keels look a bit too big, did you fair the front and rear to make them a bit more hydrodynamic? It looks like the old mast snapped because the grain doesn't run the full length of the mast. Happy (thrifty) sailing RM.

[@josketobben]

Humming in the quiet bits, you silly person.

[@tombristowe846]

I think the bit in front of the rudder is called a skeg.

[@z4u68]

this is good, funny but good lol

[@bish1121]

great job your doing there im thinking of building myself a sea kayak P.S. when i listen to you i think of bagpuss keep expecting you to sing we will fix it we will mend it with glue glue glue LOL!!!!!.

[@WayOutWestx2]

I get called all sorts of things but Bagpuss is a first : - )

[@oneshotme]

Good luck with that mast