Building a boat idea.Updated 6 months ago

First, we recommend making a sketch and creating a layout. Here are a few videos and bullet points that will help you determine how much material you will need for your build. From there, you can go back through the kits and see which one has the amount of material you need to complete your layout.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

HOW TO START A BUILD!

Kit Breakdown Video - https://youtu.be/qN4tKE56IZA

Start build YouTube video - https://youtu.be/UWmHDSzdp1M

Make a sketch of your boat using length and width measurements of your boat

Layout - You more than likely already have an idea of what you want the boat to look like when its complete. First, determine which lid system you want to go with, we have 2 different lid types.

GEN X - Ligher, more DIY, Cheaper - https://tbnation.net/collections/aluminum-frame-kits/products/lid-builder-diy-kit

Nates Dry Hatches - Easier to Install, more costly - https://tbnation.net/collections/aluminum-frame-kits/products/dry-storage-hatch-lid-pre-built

Choose a lid system that you want to use, then use the lid measurements in the sketch. This will help you determine what size lids will fit in which areas. Keep in mind, our stock livewell measures 12x30x12 and requires a 12x30” Nates Dry Hatch lid. Rod lockers should have AT LEAST a 48” long Nates Dry Hatch lid to allow the rods to enter and exit the locker properly.

From there, you can get a rough estimate of where your 1.5” angle aluminum framing will run and how much you will need. Our Angle aluminum and Tube Aluminum are shipped in 6’ sticks.

Figure out which kit comes with enough material you need to complete your design (overestimate). If you’re using the GEN X Lids, I would suggest looking into the GEN X Frame and Hatch Combo kits. If your using Nates Dry Hatches I suggest looking at the GEN X Framing kit, then pairing it with those lids.

THINGS TO REMEMBER: We can make custom lid sizes. Overestimate your materials. SUBFLOOR MATERIAL IS NOT FACTORED INTO ANY OF OUR KITS! Our kits have materials for front and rear decks only.

If you are welding your frame, use 1x2” rectangular tubing for your upper framing and vertical supports.

In a 14’ boat we use around 33-35 sticks of 1.5” angle (this includes subfloor materials), 1300 Countersink Rivets, 300 Standard rivets, 5 sticks of 1.25” tube, 1 sheet of .050 aluminum sheeting and 2 sheets of .090 aluminum sheeting (4x10’ sheets).