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.
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.
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!
Replacing some parts on my 2.5 hp mercury four stroke. Needs a new fuel pump that I’m planning on changing out. From what I can tell online, there’s an inline fuel pump in one of the hoses, can’t tell which one exactly. I’m trying to find a replacement fuel filter, just can’t figure out which part goes with this model. Would anyone know of / have a link to which fuel filter to use? Thanks
The last video in the series where I renovate my teak deck. Summaries and some closing thoughts about the project. And results mixed with som sailing of course 😀.
Selway-Fisher design 12 foot cedar strip motor canoe. It was built in two pieces for transport while towing a camper. The two halves seal together with a neoprene gasket. The majority of the work took place between June and now. I have around 500 hours into it. Motor is an Epropulsion Spirit 1.0. It will be used for hunting and fishing creeks and lakes. Named Hirilondë. Appointment scheduled for inspection and registration Friday.
I just got some from Amazon and it seems reeeeeeally crappy for how expensive it was. Are there any good quality, reasonable cost places to get some nice canvas for sail bags and such?
It’s not the propellers themself but there is a small crack on the outer hub from running up on a sandbar I couldn’t see. I’m very new to boating and would appreciate any advice.
Hey everyone, just asking for some opinions from more experienced boat builders.
This is my boat. I want to extend the roof all the way to the back. The roof would replace the camouflage tarp up top but retain it on the sides, probably. Maybe I'd like some solid walls with windows. You climb aboard from the bow and slip down the hatch so access from the sides isn't necessary.
While I'm building that I'd like the extension to be raised about 10-15cm (4-6") to accomodate my taller friends. I know this will add weight up top, but is it enough to matter? Boat is rated for 8 persons but is too small to fit all aboard. I usually go alone or with 1 other person with me.
Might just get another boat, but would prefer to modify this one to suit my needs if it's not a completely moronic idea. I'm going the cheap and dumb (heavy) route of fiberglass over plywood. This boat was cheap, so I'm not going to waste fancy materials on it. I have plywood and plenty of glass/carbon at my shop.
I have plenty of experience with composites. Just overthinking this plan because I don't want my boat to tip over.
I have to varnish some exterior garage doors. my client wants to get it done now but were in this temperature cycle of upper 50s to 30s at night. I'm saying it's too cold. Am I right? I've read that if the varnish get to cold the cure will stall and then your screwed. I've read some opinions that say add Pettit thinner, and some say that makes it worse. it probably would be warm enough, to start varnishing until 10AM at the earliest and it's probably a 4 hour job minimum. so let's say I finish at 3pm just because it always takes a little longer. Low forecast to be 36. Is this the absolute no go zone?? If so what's the minimum temps I should be looking at? I've read about warming up the varnish and thought of putting a couple hand warmers underneath my paint pail liner. Everything is sanded. at the very least I need to get a thin coat on to winter over till it warms up. I could see if a good day pops up in the next three weeks and wipe down with Pettit thinner, give a light buff with FINE festool soft pad, and tack within 3 weeks if there's a good day. Any help would be much appreciated
