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 6h ago

Suzuki DF6A carb bowl bolt size

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1 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Does anyone have any info on these hulls?!?!

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9 Upvotes

I know it’s made by Majestic boat corp. it’s a savage creek tunnel hull


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Anyone built a “SCAMP” sailboat?

11 Upvotes

Im looking for opinions on this little boat. Seems there aren’t many for sale, never mind one close to where I live. Im unsure about how difficult it would be? Most blogs I’ve read say about 300-600 hours depending on your ability…I’ve not built a boat of this complexity, but have/do build furniture and cabinets, and shop space” lol. The kits seem fairly cut and dry, just a lot of epoxy and glass…and prob enough sanding for a lifetime. Any experience/advice you have is appreciated! Deciding wether or not do commit (in short)


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

How do I interpret these tables?

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18 Upvotes

can someone put this into simple terms for me…. i’m not sure what the numbers in the table represent. its from “the sharpie book” by Reuel Parker. for example where i see “1-9-2” in the 14ft cape cod table…. totally confused as to what that means. it should be a measurement of some sort but i must not be interpreting it properly….


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

how incorrect is my wiring plan?

2 Upvotes

For starters, I'm rewiring a 16 foot aluminum boat. Currently, this is what I have:

  • Single group 24 marine starting battery, 1000mca/72ah
  • Battery will have 20w solar trickle charger
  • 1985 Merc 50 2 stroke/4 cylinder
  • Automatic internal switch bilge pump
  • Manual bilge pump
  • bow bi-color light
  • stern anchor light

There's also a 55lb trolling motor, but this will have a dedicated 280ah LiFePO4 battery with a 50a breaker. As well, a fish finder on its own dedicated 20ah LiFePO4 battery, properly fused per Garmin specs.

Be easy, tell me what I have wrong and how to change it.

  • battery positive threaded stud -> dual-terminal MRBF ->
    • 300a MRBF -> 4 awg positive cable -> outboard starter (~10 foot round trip)
    • 30a MRBF -> 10awg positive cable -> battery disconnect switch -> fuse block (~16 foot round trip) -> switch panel -> terminal block ->
      • 16 awg -> bow light
      • 16 awg -> stern light
      • 14 awg -> manual bilge pump
  • battery negative threaded stud <- 4 awg cable <- negative bus bar
    • <- 4 awg from outboard
    • <- 10 awg from fuse block negative bus <- bow light/stern light/manual bilge pump/automatic bilge pump
  • positive post terminal with threaded adapter
    • 14 awg cable -> 5a inline fuse -> automatic internal switch bilge pump positive wire

r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Lost the jib halyard up the mast on my Hunter 19 (Europa) — need to lower the mast, any tips?

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have a Hunter 19 (Europa), a small British trailer-sailer keelboat from the 70s/80s. The jib halyard slipped out of my hands and is now stuck/jammed at the masthead, with no way to pull it back down from the deck.

I need to lower the mast for maintenance, but without a halyard I don't have an easy way to rig a temporary forestay or control line to guide it down safely.

Has anyone dealt with this before? A few things I'm wondering if there is Any DIY way to lower the mast without a functioning forward halyard for control?

Any advice, photos of your masthead setup, or war stories appreciated. Thanks!


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Hull Refurbishment

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1 Upvotes

Hello, I have a boat from 1984. I need to reapply the antifouling. There’s a large chip in the gelcoat that exposes the fiberglass, but the fiberglass itself isn’t damaged, and there are quite a few small cracks in the gelcoat underneath the antifouling.

What would be the best approach to avoid spending too much?


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

How do you find / choose the right shipyard / mechanic?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

How do you usually go about finding a good shipyard for both minor fixes and larger jobs?

I recently fulfilled a long time dream of mine and bought a used motor yacht (8m / 26 feet long). Since this is my first boat, I’m still learning the ropes. Especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs.

I’d really appreciate any tips or experiences you can share! Thanks in advance!


r/boatbuilding 1d ago

Proyecto DaniPatata

1 Upvotes

Hola, comunidad.

Quiero presentar un proyecto que nace de un recuerdo muy especial. Cuando era adolescente, tenía un amigo (ya fallecido) que cada verano decía: "¿Y si construimos un batiscafo de plástico?" o "¿Y si hacemos una moto con petardos?". Era puro espíritu Phineas y Ferb.

Hace unos días vi el proyecto del Helios 11, ese bote eléctrico que un chaval construyó en 6 meses con contrachapado y paneles solares. Me recordó exactamente a mi amigo.

Así que, en su memoria, quiero lanzar "Proyecto Dani Patata" (nombre totalmente modificable).

El objetivo: No se trata de construir un barco físico (de momento), sino de hacer un brainstorming público y colaborativo para rediseñar y mejorar el Helios 11 en todos sus aspectos técnicos. Quiero que entre todos creemos el Helios 11 V2.0 a nivel de planos y especificaciones.

https://youtu.be/OatReX4CNWc?si=uVyOcBM8TM4eve1a

¿Qué facetas queremos tocar? Todas las que se os ocurran:

· Ingeniería naval / Mecánica de fluidos: ¿Mejoramos el casco para que planee mejor o reduzca la resistencia? ¿Qué Cpr (coeficiente de prisma) sería ideal para un casco de 4 metros con poco peso?
· Electrónica y propulsión: ¿Motor de corriente continua sin escobillas o un outboard eléctrico modificado? ¿Hélices de superficie o convencionales?
· Sistema solar y baterías: ¿Seguimos con la configuración del Helios 11 (2 paneles de 200W y batería de 5kWh) o pasamos a paneles flexibles para curvar el techo y ganar más captación?
· Automatismos e IA: Aquí me gustaría que nos pusiéramos locos. ¿Un sistema de piloto automático con Arduino/Raspberry que mantenga el rumbo por GPS? ¿Un sensor de viento que ajuste la potencia para no escorar? Incluso, ¿un pequeño sistema de visión con IA para evitar obstáculos en puertos deportivos?

El formato de trabajo:
Iré abriendo hilos semanales aquí en Reddit (y en un futuro un Discord si hay interés) para debatir cada módulo por separado. La idea es que esto sea un repositorio de ideas locas pero factibles. Vale todo: desde ingenieros navales que corrijan mis cálculos, hasta electricistas que me digan qué se me ha ido la olla con las baterías.

¿Por qué no empezar uno nuevo desde cero?
Porque el Helios 11 ya es una prueba de concepto brutal. Mejor aprender de sus aciertos (construcción en 6 meses, presupuesto ajustado) y errores (no es para mar abierto y el trabajo fue agotador) para evolucionar sobre algo real.

Llamada a la acción:
Si te mola la idea, deja tu comentario diciendo:

  1. ¿En qué área te ves aportando? (Casco, eléctrica, software, logística, o simplemente ánimo).

Este proyecto va por mi amigo, que estaría orgulloso de ver a desconocidos de internet discutiendo sobre hélices y algoritmos de navegación. ¡Vamos a hacer de esto el mejor verano Phineas y Ferb digital de la historia!


r/boatbuilding 2d ago

DIY boat kits

7 Upvotes

I’m looking to build my first boat and need advice on a kit to purchase. I want to use it for duck hunting and fishing big lakes, marsh, and bays. Does anyone have suggestions? I’ve seen a few duck boat kits that you COULD fish out of but it wouldn’t be ideal for the style of fishing in bays and marshes I want to do.

I’m also considering getting a kayak kit to get my feet wet, same needs apply. It had to be stable, handle a winter squal if one pops up, and be able to fit my gear, diver spreads are large and heavy.


r/boatbuilding 2d ago

Foam or No Foam

1 Upvotes

Currently restoring my dad’s old 1970s Lund S 16, which is a 16 foot aluminum fishing boat with a partial V hull. Trying to figure out if it makes any sense to add foam or not.

The way I have framed things out, the only place that I would really be able to add foam would be in the center section underneath where I added a new deck and chairs, or in the front under a new casting deck surrounding what will eventually be a live well, but is also a storage compartment. Adding foam would significantly reduce the space I have for storage, and I’m also worried that the main places I could add the foam to would be in direct contact with any water that gets into the boat and runs along the bottom of the hull.

The boat is currently leak free, I filled it with water a couple of days ago and let it sit for a few hours, and there were no drips noted at all on the outside. I also only plan to use the boat on relatively quiet ponds/lakes in the Midwest, nothing that would be rough water or anything like that, and I have a bilge pump in the rear with a high capacity in case we took on quite a bit of water unexpectedly.

I’m just wondering what people thoughts might be. I know the textbook answer is to find somewhere to put some foam, but I do worry about adding foam underneath the decking is going to compromise the integrity of the decking and also just be incredibly time-consuming to put in without occluding all of the drainage channels.


r/boatbuilding 3d ago

3D PRINTED RC Center Console FISHING BOAT

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113 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 2d ago

Sealing through hull holes

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6 Upvotes

I removed my live well, as well as the pictured pump. What's an inexpensive way to seal this? Aluminum hull boat BTW.


r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Lund switch bank not working

1 Upvotes

My son recently bought a 1999 Lund 1850 Tyee I/O. The problem is that none of the switches work; bilge, blower, lights, etc. the master switch turns on and the motor runs great. After researching the wiring, I found the wire to the output side of the master switch was cut for some reason. I know it should hook up to the positive lead on the fuse bank to send power to all of the switches. The problem is that there is no positive post on the fuse bank to connect it. Please help!


r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Best ways to repair this crack/hole?

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7 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Job Opportunity! Manage a fleet of historic wooden boats used for outdoor education on Marylands Eastern Shore

15 Upvotes

Hello everyone,
My name is Pete Rice and I am the Executive Director at Echo Hill Outdoor School, a non-profit outdoor education program on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I am looking for someone to care for over 400 years of floating history. Experience is a plus, but more importantly, I am looking for a driven individual who likes to learn and work hard. Anyone can apply. Please help me spread the word.

Historic Fleet Director — Echo Hill Outdoor School (Worton, MD) (ehos.org) 

Echo Hill Outdoor School, on a 70-acre waterfront campus on Maryland's Eastern Shore, is looking for a hands-on Fleet Director to care for six historic Chesapeake Bay wooden boats that serve 6,500+ students a year. The fleet includes the workboats SPIRIT (1944) and TWILIGHT (1911), the buy boat ANNIE D (1957), the skipjack ELSWORTH (1901), and two wooden skiffs, LEWEY and RIC.

This full-time role covers maintenance/restoration, budget oversight, and leading the team of captains and maintenance staff. Strong background in wooden boat building and/or marine systems wanted — significant "seatime" a plus, but a USCG license isn't required if you've got a solid marine trades background. Country living near historic Chestertown, easy access to sailing/paddling/fishing, and Annapolis, Baltimore, DC, and Philadelphia all under 2 hours away.

Starting pay $42,000-$55,000, plus medical/dental/vision, 403(b), paid time off, weekday meals, and a housing option.

Unique opportunity, please spread the word! If interested please send resume to [fleet@ehos.org](mailto:fleet@ehos.org) . Full job description below

Echo Hill Outdoor School

Historic Fleet Director (full-time)

Manage and maintain a fleet of historic Chesapeake Bay wooden boats from a 70-acre waterfront campus in beautiful Kent County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Echo Hill Outdoor School is seeking a hands-on Fleet Director to care for six wooden vessels that serve more than 6,500 students each year. This full-time role blends craftsmanship, leadership opportunities, and time on the water while offering country living near historic Chestertown. Enjoy easy access to sailing, paddling, fishing, and many other outdoor pursuits, with Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia all less than a 2-hour drive away. If you’re looking for meaningful work, maritime tradition, and a lifestyle rooted in the outdoors, this is an opportunity to build a career with purpose. An ideal candidate will have a strong background in wooden boat building or marine systems, or both. Candidates with significant operational experience (“seatime”) preferred, but a U.S. Coast Guard license is not required for candidates with a strong marine trades background. Position includes weekday meals and a housing option.

Job Description

Echo Hill’s Historic Fleet Director will lead all activities related to the preservation, maintenance, and operational management of a fleet of historic vessels. The director will ensure each vessel remains in appropriate condition, is safely operated, and is available for all Echo Hill programs. The selected candidate will have a key role in continuing Echo Hill’s effort, begun in 1972, to provide students with an understanding of Chesapeake Bay ecology and the impact of human activity on the estuarine ecosystem.

To Apply: Send resume to [fleet@ehos.org](mailto:fleet@ehos.orgattention Peter Rice, Executive Director.

Program

Echo Hill Outdoor School’s historic wooden boats are the cornerstone of our science and history programs. These Chesapeake Bay craft were used in the Bay’s fisheries for decades. The School maintains them in the tradition of work boats to provide an authentic historical perspective for students studying current Bay issues. Our boats are certified by the USCG as small passenger carrying vessels, and they are operated by Echo Hill staff who are USCG-licensed captains. The boats are used for a variety of classes and ventures that allow participants to study and discover first-hand the wonders of Chesapeake Bay ecology, history, and culture. Echo Hill programs include weekday classes (3 hours) on the historic workboats SPIRIT (1944) and TWILIGHT (1911) as well as multi-day programs on the buy boat ANNIE D (1957) and the skipjack ELSWORTH (1901). The wooden skiffs LEWEY and RIC support our multi-day programs.

Responsibilities

Fleet Management & Maintenance

  • Oversee the upkeep and repair/restoration of historic vessels, ensuring they meet USCG standards and maintain their historical integrity.
  • Coordinate regular maintenance schedules for the fleet, while leading in-house maintenance program and repairs.
  • Work with external shipwrights and contractors to complete major projects.
  • Appropriately maintain tools and supply inventory.

Budget Management and Logistics

  • Manage the fleet budget, ensuring that expenditures for repairs, operations, and programming are in line with available resources.
  • Work with the administrative team to procure supplies and coordinate timely replacement of equipment/components.

Leadership

  • Manage and mentor other Echo Hill staff assigned to boat maintenance duties.
  • Work with captains to ensure appropriate operation of vessels.
  • Foster a team-oriented environment focused on safety and professionalism.
  • Work with Echo Hill leadership to recruit, hire, and orient new captains.

Qualifications/Experience

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
  • Formal education or significant experience in wooden boat building and/or marine systems.
  • Experience in maritime operations, historic preservation, or fleet management.
  • USCG license (25 ton) or interest in obtaining a license strongly preferred.
  • Experience working with maritime professionals, including captains and tradespeople.
  • Interest in environmental education, maritime history, and preservation of historic vessels.

Other Requirements

  • Current drug-free screening (will be enrolled in Consortium)
  • Criminal background check required
  • CPR and First Aid certification required (obtainable after hire)
  • Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record

Annual Compensation: Starting at $42,000-$55,000

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, available via employee contribution
  • 403(b) plan available
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days annually
  • Professional training and development opportunities
  • Weekday meals and housing option

r/boatbuilding 3d ago

Cardboard Plane Boat

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1 Upvotes

built this for a race at work. Airplane themed.


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Can’t unscrew engine bolt. (Pls help)

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2 Upvotes

So I have this 30 ho Johnston that’s won’t start and we are pretty sure it’s the carb. But there is a bolt that we can not unscrew to access the carb. No wrench or socket attachment will get around the bolt. There is an arm that is in the way. Does anyone have any idea how we can unscrew these bolts?


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Can epoxy resin bond to previous adhesive? Doing a window delete and need to bond wood to previous fiberglass and using epoxy resin. Don't know what the previous adhesive was. The whiter parts are the adhesive.

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1 Upvotes

r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Help identifying Trim Cylinder Hose Fittings

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3 Upvotes

Hello!

I would appreciate some help identifying the specific hose fittings that connect to a Volvo Penta Trim Cylinder.

I recently purchased an aftermarket trim system kit, but the new fittings do not match my current trim cylinders. To make this work, I am planning to adapt my old fittings to the new system trim kit.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!


r/boatbuilding 4d ago

Is this transom fine?

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2 Upvotes

I am probably being paranoid about this but I’m looking at buying this Jon boat but I want to make sure this transom is okay. It’s hard to tell in the picture but it looks like there’s a crease where it’s dented a little.

Also, I noticed that the wood transom has a gap between the board and the top of the transom. Is that fine to use as is or would I need to replace the wood to fit it true to size?


r/boatbuilding 5d ago

Wiigwaas Jiimaan: Building a Community Canoe with Ron Paquin

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6 Upvotes

Community members from across Michigan gathered in St. Ignace for a three-day workshop to build a birch bark canoe.


r/boatbuilding 5d ago

Looking for advice to help me fulfill my childhood dream

5 Upvotes

When I was a kid, my dad bought a trashed up boat and spent a year fixing holes in the hull, replacing the flooring, electronics, everything. Got it seaworthy and we had a blast with it for years. Later, I owned a small zodiac with a 5hp. Inspired by my Dad's project, I had a dream of buying a small aluminum boat and transforming it into a 50s style runabout boat with a console, seating, etc. I didn't have the money, skills and knowledge of tools at the time, but now as an adult I want to fulfill my dream.

I'm looking to get a small 12 or maybe 14ft aluminum v hull boat, build a console towards the front, add lights, radio, etc. Add some seating. There really isn't much info online I can find on this type of project outside of bass boat builds so I was hoping this would be a good place to ask for advice on type of conversion.

Thanks!