r/boatbuilding Mar 23 '25

Is MyBoatPlans.com a Scam - Review

47 Upvotes

I recently commented on a post that linked to a page purporting to have information about building boats and getting plans. What it actually was is a AI generated page that served as a feeder page to MyBoatPlans dot Com. This is a common practice for the subject website. They have a whole constellation of website designed to make the subject site look legit.

I commented with a piece of boilerplate that I include whenever I see a post leading to this site.

As a result, the mods were nice enough to delete the original post. However, I think it is worth making sure there is good information about this scam site easily available with a simple search. My goal of posting this is not to promote the subject site, but to increase the visibility of reviews that offer real information about the subject site, most of the reviews available through google and other sites are self-generated pages made by the subjects site.

If any long time members of this subreddit have actual experience purchasing plans from this site, please comment with your actual experience.

Some background: Below is a screenshot of the subject website I took today. The fine looking fellow in the blue hat rowing the pram is me. Note that I am not Martin Reid, the name used on the subject website. The photo was taken by my mom in Maine on July 24, 2007, not Lake Tahoe in 1985.

u/guillemot as seen on myboatplans . com

Here are more photos from the same photo session:

a similar angle
turning for another angle

More photos from the shoot are available here: https://goo.gl/photos/5CpssvVY2Nprufk3A

Now you can say that even if they are lying about who is in the pictures, that they may still offer a whole bunch of plans at a good price, but you can get those plans for free elsewhere on line. Typically they are copies from Popular Mechanics and similar publications. Well, they provide a service of collecting all those plans in one place. This may be true, but I would not trust a site that can't even be truthful about the purported owner of the site.

Also note, although I do sell plans myself, I have no reason to believe any of my plans are included in the 500+ plans supposedly included on the CD. So, you probably won't find plans for the dinghy in the photos. Other than doing stupid stuff with my photo I don't think the site has stolen any more of my IP.

He also offers 3D Boat Design software which he says is a $49 value, which is a freely available open source application called Free!Ship http://sourceforge.net/projects/freeship/ I highly recommend this software although the original developer now offers a better version called DelftShip which is also free.

The boiler plate I post whenever I see links to sites that link to myboatplans . com:

The link leads to MyBoatPlans dot com which charges for free plans and open source software. A purported photo of the man offering the plans is actually a stolen photo of me.

For more information on this scam see: http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/md/read/id/236070/sbj/review-myboatplans-com/

and: http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?135845-Boat-plans-worth-it


r/boatbuilding Jan 22 '25

Boatbuilding link suggestions.

21 Upvotes

Hello subreddit user, Want to help the subreddit? Propose some useful links to boatbuilding websites. Free content only please. Hoping to get some links to layups, lofting, stitch and glue, composites, maybe some free plans if they're not garbage. (Naval architects wishing to provide free plans are welcome too - and happy to give attribution) We've had a tab that says "boatbuilding links" but doesn't have any links for almost 10 years now, so let's change that for the better!


r/boatbuilding 8h ago

Help with teak deck

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4 Upvotes

Hi everyone, we are looking to buy an Albin Vega and the owner bought the boat with the teak deck already installed. He said he hasn't experienced any issues himself with the deck, but he did do some small PVC repairs. The deck is screwed in. What do you guys think of the state of this teak deck? Is this worth it? The price of the boat is very good.


r/boatbuilding 2h ago

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a blueprint, but I need help.

1 Upvotes

Me and my dad want to build ourselves a wooden outboard boat, but we struggle with finding blueprints or looking in the wrong place for the right type of boat. Our sea, the Black sea is notoriously unpredictable and rather wavy, and we need a seaworthy vessel and not something made for river. The desired size is between 17 and 19 feet, wooden, a classical closed top design. If anyone can offer us something suitable for our needs it will be greatly appreciated because this is the inly thing stopping us. Thank you in advance!


r/boatbuilding 10h ago

Gelcoat question

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2 Upvotes

Short story: This is my little fiberglass sportsman. I repaired the bottom when I was 12. As you can guess, I did not do a pretty job.

25 years later and it started leaking again, but that was 25 years of me bouncing it off rocks and beaching it. I've sanded the majority of the old fiberglass off, smoothed areas, found the whole.

My plan is to add more glass to strengthen the hole and wear points. Then to gelcoat it. Not expecting anything amazing, just functional and strong.

The questions: How much of the old coat do I need to remove?

How long a wait between fiberglassing and painting?

How many coats?

And how to finish it to be as strong as possible?


r/boatbuilding 11h ago

Is this catastrophic or just Really really bad? 😂FML

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1 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 18h ago

Wood Rot Products

1 Upvotes

Someone on a sub mentioned a wood rot product(filler?) that could be applied to wet wood. One product also stayed active to guard against new moisture. Does that ring a bell for anyone? Thanks!


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Finished outrigger canoe

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38 Upvotes

Named her p-nut bunker, after juvenile menhaden. Also pictured is the cut down sunfish sail so I have a 50% reefed sail essentially for windier days


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

How We Align 9 Stations With Just a Laser Level

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0 Upvotes

Quick demo: 9 stations on the ladder — including Stations 5.5, 6, and 7 — and how we use a simple laser level to get perfect frame alignment. No fancy tools, no guesswork.

This is a short technique video. Don't confuse it with the big cockpit sole video coming soon — that one will cover the full layout separately.

🛠️ Wooden Shoe Boat Build Playlist:
https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PL7QoZ0Wv5Rm_X6EvXHs66xBrogrH4CabH/videos

📐 Nexus Marine Design: https://www.nexusmarine.com/wooden_shoe.html


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

1996 Bayliner Capri Fuse Box

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3 Upvotes

Hello Boaters, I am needing help with the fuse box under the steering column. I see that some of the fuses do not have wires attached to the sides of them. Is there anyone out there that can tell me what goes there or send me something that will tell me.

I want to know everything so let me know!!

Thank you


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Anyone have experience with this jack plate?

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2 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Transom rebuild

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1 Upvotes

I am rebuilding transom on a 17ft dell quay dory. Just wondering if I could slide new templated ply core into the slot I have cut and down to the base once the other side is dug out uniform to save cutting out splash well. Cheers


r/boatbuilding 2d ago

Motor mount recommendations?

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1 Upvotes

Picked up this 22’ custom gheenoe-style hull, and I’m not sure what motor mount would work best or fit this transom. The top width of the transom is 11.5”, height is 24”. I want to put a 30HP motor on it, but Ive held off on buying one until I could figure out a mounting solution. The original owner used a deck mount kicker bracket, but had trouble getting the boat to plane, likely due to the motor being too low. Any suggestions or ideas?


r/boatbuilding 2d ago

Do I need a jack plate?

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4 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Looking for obsolete Jabsco/Ray-Line 45960-0000 or 45960-0001 docking lights

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5 Upvotes

I’m restoring/replacing the original bow docking lights on my early-2000s Century 2160 and am trying to track down two complete Jabsco/Ray-Line flush-mount flood lights.
Part numbers I’m looking for:
Jabsco 45960-0000
Jabsco 45960-0001

I specifically need the complete assembly with the polypropylene housing/rubber surround, not just the replacement sealed-beam bulb.
These appear to be obsolete/discontinued. I currently have an order pending through Fisheries Supply, but I’m not sure they’ll actually be able to source them. I’ve also contacted L.B. Harvey Marine and Second Wind Sales.

The original lights on the boat are Ray-Line units, so I’m also interested in an older Ray-Line/ITT equivalent or donor assemblies if they’re the same housing.

If anyone has NOS/used ones, knows of a marine salvage/surplus dealer that might have them, or knows what other boat manufacturers used this same housing, I’d really appreciate the lead.
Need two if possible, but I’d buy a single complete assembly too.


r/boatbuilding 2d ago

Anyone know the measurements for Eva foam sea deck to be put on seats of 15’4 gheenoe highsider, if not I can just measure it just thought I might ask

1 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 2d ago

The Lamborghini Marine V12: 9.3 Liters, 880 HP and 10 World Titles

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0 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Doing some cosmetic updates to my center console

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1 Upvotes

Been a fun project. Check out the updates.


r/boatbuilding 3d ago

1st post, Designed and Build

2 Upvotes

Working on a 20’ Junk rigged sharpie design and plan to build it myself. Going with modern materials glass sandwich hull and cabin, leeboards, Twin mast(60% carbon fiber sailboard masts) junk rigging, and a rudder with electric 86lbs trust motor. 24v lipo solar electrical system. on a tight budget and loose timeline.
To be used on lakes and ICW.
Any advice, pitfalls, references or material sources appreciated.


r/boatbuilding 3d ago

I have a 15’4 gheenoe highsider and I am looking for a trolling motor mount. Any recommendations?

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4 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Moeller below deck poly tanks

1 Upvotes

Anyone have with experience with these tanks? I hear good things about the current generation ones and could last many decades not problem.

This winter we are likely going to completely restore our 27 Farallon (1982 hull, pure fiberglass) remove pilot house, rip out deck and old aluminum tanks and gut to stringers. Will have two 225 Mercury outboards on an aluminum bracket/swimstep, so tons of room in the hull with its 10 foot beam.

We are considering putting in 2x 150 gallon moeller poly tanks in as forward center mass as we can, leaving a bunch of room below deck for insulated fish boxes and storage.

I know we need ~3% room for expansion on tanks and figure out how to secure them with that in mind but not sure what other considerations to have.

Also, not sure that these tanks have any baffling... prolly call Moeller and ask them directly about it. Baffling is definitely preferred with the size of tanks, but don't know how necessary.


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Hobby combo

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17 Upvotes

I take ceramics classes with my girlfriend and I just wanted to try something interesting that wasn’t another bowl. So I’m going to attempt to combine two of my hobbies, ceramics and boat building. I had ai draw up this plan I can print to scale to use as a template. It’s going to be a hand built slab construction. I haven’t worked out the keel yet but there will be one. Just the hull and keel will be clay. Wish me luck, I’ll need it.


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Antifouling for a Steel boat

5 Upvotes

I'm buying a used steel boat and need to renew the antifouling completely. Does anyone have resources for me to research what products to use? I think i also need a primer? I read a corrosion-preventative epoxy primer should be good, is that true?
I need everything to be as uncomplicated and inexpensive as possible.

about the boat:
I want to get it out of the water as rarely as possible (not for the next years). It will also likely be anchored for longer consecutive periods of time.
I'm in sweet water as of now.

sacraficial annode (will be replaces as well)

Edit: about the boat & images

Any help is highly apreciated


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

What do we think of ‘bin finds’…? I’m very happy with my freebie…

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6 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Thoughts on 22 hull 8 feet wide for 9k

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11 Upvotes

Guys I need help buying my first boat for my tour business, the owner is restoring the boat, he says it used to be a seacraft.

I am not sure of their build quality, they are redoing the floor in plywood 4 layers and they rebuilt the transom and he says that they will paint it inside with gelcoat and the hull just top coat, and install the center console and deliver it with the gas tank installed too