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Members Questions
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This section of the Boden Boat Plans web site is intended to answer any questions about the site and what is offered. If you require any further information on a particular boat, sign up as a member and you will be able to see the answers to all of the boat specific questions asked by other members. If the question you have is not already posted, part of the membership entitles you to ask any question you like about a specific boat. However the site does provide study sets in the form of PDF's. A PDF will give the information required to reach a decision to build.
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How do I pay on Boden site for purchases
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We use Pay Pal as our preferred payment method.
Reason is pay pal is a very secure payment method on the Internet and is used by over 60 million people worls wide.
You dont even have to be a member of Pay Pal to pay us with either Visa or Mastercard. All you do is when you click the pay button when ordering a pay pal screen will open with details of your order and amout. You then have two options, either proceed to a secure payment form or if currently a member of paypal you can log on and pay from your Pay Pal account.
It is so easy. And is our recommended payment method.
However, if you are unsure and want to pay by another means you have the option of emailing us at the check out requesting an alternate payment method. The most practical alternate method is Bank to Bank transfer. If you wish to pay by other means please email us and we will try and meet your needs.
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Tell me about Boden Boat Plans
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The firm Cecil E Boden and Associates was established about 1954. Prior to that the principal, Cecil Boden was involved with World War two and post war military and commercial work. Cecil graduated in Naval Archiecture from the University of Glasgow in 1932 and up to WW2 was involved with smaller commercial craft design. From 1954 he specialised on steel and timber pleasure craft and small commercial tug, work boats and fishing trawlers. Always trying to blend good design into good money making commercial craft. He published 10 editions of his well know Bodens Boat Design Book selling in all 100,000 copies. In 1984 ,as a result of Cecil's death, Boden Boat Plans was formed to specialise specifically in the design and markets of small craft plans. New designs were introduced. In 2002 the opportunity came to obtain the portfolio of one of Australia's most respected small craft designers Bill Bollard. Present staff are experienced boatbuilders and designers. For further information about us and statements of our committment to customers please refer to "our commitment" section of this site.
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What is a stock plan
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A stock plan is a plan set for a design sold at a cost of about 10% or less of the cost of a similar custom design. The advantage of a stock plan is that you get a proven design as well and a considerable cost saving.
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Can any one build these boats
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Builders need to have trade skills, or be a skilled handy men with a track record of completing projects that they have started. Builders need to be able to read drawings. Further they need to have adequate facilities. Interestingly farmers seem to make good owner builders. Possibily because they have to be so multi skilled to work on a farm and maintain tractors, steel fencing and the many maintenance tasks they have to do themselves. We do not want to discourage you from building a boat, if you have the skills you can do it.
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What is a PDF?
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A PDF file is a internet communicated information pack supplied to you for download from the Boden Members area. PDF stands for Portable Document Format which is one of the most verstile communications on the internet. To download the PDF all you have to do is click into the members area, put in your email address and password and follow the link at top of screen to the PDF.
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What information is in a PDF
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The PDF consists of the following:
- Cover page
- Contents page
- Introduction to Boden Boat Plans
- About the particular design covered by the PDF
- Comments on building the craft
- Statement of particulars
- Material list
- Photographs of completed craft
- Photographs of the craft building
- Arrangement Flash files
- Scanned extracts from drawings in plan set
There are only a few craft where we do not have satisfactory photographs. Most PDF have good photographs of various boats built from the plans.
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Can I obtain information other than by a PDF
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Our business is now set up to process study sets in a differnet form. We now provide extensive information in our PDF's. You can order a PDF and pay for it by secure credit card processing on the Internet. You will be able to view the PDF in your members area within 48 hours. However, we do understand that this may not always be possible for everone. You can write to us Boden Boat Plans. P.O. Box 316. Cremorne 2090 Australia and send a international bank cheque for the price of The PDF. The bank will convert it to the equilivant of Australian dollars for you. We will then mail the printed PDF in balck and White to your postal address. The impact of this PDF will not be as good as the online version. Expect to wait about 3 weeks for the pack to arrive at your postal address. Do not send postal orders (other than Australian Postal Orders)
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Can I phone you to discuss the plans
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Yes you can. Generally a staff member is available for about 2 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 8PM and 10PM EST (Eastern Australia Time).
International phone number for this service is 61 2 99536152.
The Boden Fax number is 61 2 9904 9297.
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Explain what I need to consider in reaching a decision to build in steel, aluminium, or timber ply epoxy
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All are excellent materials. In fact there is no such thing as bad materials, only bad application. It is all about fitness for purpose.
Reasons to build in aluminium are considerations such as light weight is required to achieve performance, engineering facilities and skills are available including under cover workshop. The craft has to be customised such as a dive boat being specifically fitted out to stow and operate gear to owners requirements. Durability and robustness of aluminium. No need to paint.
Reasons to build in steel. Weight is not a problem in obtaining required speed. Builder has steel but not aluminium fabticating skills. Aliminium welding skilled trades people are not available. Craft has to be built in open.
Reasons to build in ply epoxy. Builder has timber skills and facilities and prefers to build in timber. Craft has to built light to obtain performance. Adaquate supplies of suitable species of quality timber are available.
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How are plans sent to me
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PDFs are delivered electronicly to your members section after your Credit Card is cleared.
For full Plans we normally deliver by post. The price of International Airmail postage is included in the plan price which is in US dollars. If you want door to door delivery by UPS (United Parcel System) or Courier there will be an additional charge. We will advise you of this charge before using this service.
For other shopping items once we receive your order we will investigate best option for freight for you. We will then email you with our freight cost. If you do not elect to proceed with the order we will not charge you at all. If you agree to the frieght we will then proceed to process your credit card.
For an indication of cost for courier door to door air service refer to the DHL website in the links section of this web site. www.dhl.com
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Do you do custom designs
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We do, however the cost is at the least 10 times the price of a stock plan and we may not always have the resources to do it in the time scale available.
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What information is on the drawings
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The drawings provide the following information:
- A lines plan and simplified table of offsets to enable you to draw out the frame shapes and stem profile and set the frames up correctly. Some smaller craft have full size patterns
- A arrangement and appearance drawing (drawings) giving the position of the important structural,engineering,and outfitting items.
- A construction plan detailing in engineering practice the structural components in position or as seperate details as necessary
Representive examples of drawing sheets are illustrated in the building section of this web site.
- A building jig drawing if not part of construction plan (for building inverted only)
- Sail and rigging drawings for the plan as designed
- Shaft and rudder and associated components
- Other details as appropriate. Some drawings have up to 20 sheets
- Building instructions and a support information package
- Some plans like Alloy Sea Boat have all the possible configurations in the one plan set of 8 sheets and a comprehensive building instruction book.
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Do the drawings have engineering and electrical installation details
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The drawings include such details as gearbox reduction ratio for engine shown in plans, engine beds, shaft, skeg and rudder details. We do not supply other specific details. The reason for this is that engines and equipment must be installed in accordance with manufacturers requirements and the plans do not specifically specify these items. Further all electrical installation should be in accordance with the ABYC Guidelines or AS 1799 Part 3 Engineering, or better.
The sea does not change and a good hull shape will always be a good shape. What is always improving and changing are the items installed into a craft. These items are the responsibility of the builder.
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Can I deviate from the plan
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It is not recommended that you deviate from the plan with regard to structural configuration and details or by moving of weights. However, particularily with aluminium, there is no reason why you cannot customise your boat to meet your requirements and preferred styling.
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Can I obtain additional information
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Yes, we will assist you with any genuine question. We appreciate that each builder has a different level of boatbuilding knowledge. We prefer email. Typical questions we get are generally about the opportunity to buy an engine and the builder is questioning if the gear box ratio is suitable.
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How difficult is it to read the drawings
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The drawings are prepared using good engineering practice with all necessary parts further detailed. Anyone with engineering, building or fabrication experience should have no problems.
Reading engineering drawings is a basic part of engineering. It is the only effective way that the designer can communicate to the person doing the job. However the skill can be quickly learnt by those who are not experienced. It would be necessary to take some time to understand plan, elevation and sectional views and how individual parts are further detailed.
In my experience I have found that about 10% of students have difficulty, for various reasons, reading drawings. If you have difficulity understanding drawings after you have studied them for some time, then perhaps a boatbuilding project in aluminium, steel or timber is not for you.
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Why do I need to indicate categories
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We do not wish to email you unnecessarily. If you specify an area of interest, say construction then when we have an article of interest or some news on construction then we will email you. If you want to be emailed on all categories simply check each one.
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What are standards for building and outfitting use and what is good practice
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Standards or codes are either government mandatory requirements or advisory standards for construction, outfitting and operation.
Government requirements regarding safety equipmant, navigation lights etc. must be complied with. Advisory standards such as AS1799 Small Boat code or the USA American Yacht and boating council guidelines (ABYC) should be followed as a matter of good practice.
Having said this much of what goes into a steel and aluminium boat is good practice. The drawings reflect good practice .
See in footer below "our committment to you" to find out more about your responsibility as the boat builders and the Boden committment to customers
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I am in Europe. Must the boat fully comply with the EC Recreational Craft standards
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Copmplying with the requirements is just good practice and we encourage you to obtain and become familiar with the requirements.
However the requirements do not apply to owner built boats that are not sold for 5 years. For larger craft we recommend that you speak to a local small craft designer who is authorised to survey the craft and certify.
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Will I be required to fit a Hull Identification Number number and compliance plate to craft built in Australia after July 2005
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Yes, you will for all power craft, but we do not see it as being a problem. We intend to have a easy to understand procedure and are waiting on the final details of requirements before including in plan set. There will be no need to flood or swamp the boat to do the test so that it can be done when the craft is complete. In NSW, you should be able to get a HIN from any BoatCode Agency. You will have to put on a compliance plate meeting the requirements of the Australian Marine Safety Council National Standard for Builders Compliance Plates on Pleasure Vessels. (www.nmsc.gov.au to download).
We do not see any problem with you complying with the requirements. For craft under 6 metres you will have to calculate and fit internal flotation, put your boat through a relatively simple test for maximum person and power capacity, complete a pro forma which we will supply and manufacture the compliance plate with the correct wording and the results of the tests. The maximum power of your particular craft will be the actual horse power of the outboard motor that you fit, even if the hull is capable of taking more power, and others with similar craft have higher power. You will then be able to say that you have tested the boat for the power stated in your compliance plate and will then fully conform with the requirements. For craft over 6 metres the maximum power will be required if fitted with outboard motors, otherwise the safe person capacity and loading has to be included on the compliance plate.
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What Government regulations do I have to comply with
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Government regulations, particulaty for areas of operation and outfitting vary from country to country. It is the responsibility of the builder to check that the finished craft will comply with all government and statutory requirements of the country where it is to operate.
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What is the one logical step after the other method of building
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The method of building that we recommend is what we call the one logical step after the other method. Nothing new about it, simply common sense. Like starting a story at the beginning. It is a matter of studying the plans, getting information about matters that you are unclear about, planning the logical progress of the job and learning as you go. We are always available by email to answer any questions.
Integral to the one logical step after the other method is the process of "lining off'. This, like marking off in engineering trades, is simply the laying down of dimensions given on drawings onto the job to ensure that you are correct and that all fits together and is pleasing to the eye. Its simply good engineering trades practice in any workplace, especially one off jobbing shops.
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Do you have computer cutting files
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We do not supply computer cutting files. There are a number of very good reasons for this. Specifically many of our designs have several configurations and a cutting file would be required for each. The files would be material plate width and length specific. That is to say if you could not get the plate sizes from your supplier the file would be of no use to you.
Our method of construction is the one logical step after the other method. We use lots of flat bar which is bought on 6 metre lengths and easily cut with no wastage. The plate sizes are easily templated from the jig set up and you cannot go wrong. However there is nothing to stop you capturing the necessary information, but for one off building it is not worth the effort.
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Can I obtain the address and phone numbers of builders so that I can check out the design
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This is a difficult situation. We very much respect the privacy of our customers and we have no right to give out their personal information. However, apart from a few exceptions, the range of photographs on this site testifies that we know what we are doing and only offer proven conventional design. In fact this is one of only a few sites that offer any range of phographs of finished boats.
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What are my responsibilities as the boatbuilder
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Your responsibilities as the boatbuilder are stated in the "our committment" section of the web site section
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Is full size lofting of boat required
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Some plans have full size patterns, and others, particularily larger craft, have a simple table of offsets. The offsets are accurate and all that is required is to draw the sections full size about a centre line and base line, from the simplified table of offsets. Like wise the stem profile is drawn from a clear staement of stem dimensions. For most chine hulls the frames are then set up inverted on a building jig, which is detailed in the drawing set. The shape of the craft is then apparent and if necessary some minor fairing can be done by running a batten longitudinally around the frames. It really is easy. There is none of that complicated lofting that authors of boat building books like to talk about.
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What size MIG welder will I need for building in aluminium
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For smaller boats up to say 5.7 metres you could use a 250amp single phase welder. These have recently come on to the market. On 4mm plate and above we recommend as a minimum a 250amp 3 phase welder. Refer to the link section of our web page for suppliers.
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What if I want to build more than one boat or start building commercially
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We expect you to be up front about this. Our royalities are very reasonable.
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Can I build these designs as commercial vessels
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In most countries commercial vessels are required to meet the requirements of the local marine survey authority. We do not accept responsibility for this. The plans are sold at about 5% of the cost of having a skilled designer prepare a set of drawings. You are fully responsible for the total correctness of the plans and the vessel. To facilitate a considerable cost saving we will allow you to take the plans to a designer familar with local survey requirements. Also we are happy to give you permission to copy the plans for submission to the survey authority. The cost saving to you will be substantial.
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Can I purchase plans for the trawlers and have another designer change the arrangement to a private passagemaker type yacht
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We are happy for you to do this. The hull shapes are excellent and it is doubtfull if another designer with less experience in steel hulls would come up with anything much better. In fact this is a cost effective way for designing a new passagemaker. That is to base it on a proven platform. We would expect that only one hull be built unless agreed otherwise.
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Do you provide stability information
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This question is not as simple as it sounds. The designs are for convention craft, follow good practice and have a range of intact stabilty that has an aqaquate safety factor for the operating conditions of loading when used in suitable condition by carefull compenent operators.
The final actual stability figures depend on the final position of the centre of gravity. This will vary with each craft as nearly always engine, fuel capacity and outfitting is modified by owners.
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