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Spira International Easy to Build Boat Plans
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Spira International offers a wide variety of different power, rowing, and sailing skiffs, dories, and other boat designs that are simple to build, rugged and seaworthy.

03/03/2022

Have a look at Desert Rat Mike's construction video of the Seneca Pacific Power dory.

Free study prints for this hull available at http://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

02/26/2022

Michael Wedgeworth just finished building this Kajoe quiet bayou boat along with his son. They are now enjoying his boat fishing the Texas bayous.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_kajo.php

02/25/2022

Floris Van Den Berg is just finishing up this beautiful 16' [4.9 M] Robalo Panga in the Netherlands. Here's his note to me:

"Hi Jeff,

I am near completing my Robalo Panga build. This is my first project doing anything with wood and never build a boat before, but know what I want to see as a layout in a usable boat for my needs. Started the build in August 2021. I thought you might be interested to see how it turned out. I will use this boat most for flyfishing for Pike.

I am currently waiting for the new motor to arrive, a Yamaha F25 ordered 5 months ago. Hope it will arrive soon. Only thing to do still is to rig the wiring.

with kind regards,

Floris van den Berg"

More info and free study prints: https://spirainternational.com/hp_roba.php

02/13/2022

Have a look at Derek Fray's Tiburon Build in Ventura California. He did a great job. I also describe the performance and costs to build.

02/06/2022

Here are the pics of Derek Frey's Tiburn Panga. It has a 115 Evenrude and he says it handles great offshore, especially in a chop.

More info and free study prints: https://spirainternational.com/hp_tibu.php

02/06/2022

Derek Frey launches his 21' Tiburon Panga from Ventura California. He built it to cruise and fish at the Channel Islands outside of the Ventura and Santa Barbara coastline. These Islands are a state park and are fascinating to visit. They had people living on them years ago, and are a treasure trove of Ice age mega-fauna remains, including a unique species of Mammoth. The waters are a wonderful place to dive, kayak, and fish.

Derek uses a 115 Etec and says she screams if the need arises but it really likes 20-25 mph cruising speeds. The boat is amazing in rough choppy waters. The Santa Barbara channel can turn from glassy to a real mess in the afternoons when the winds kick up and the swells come in from the west.

More info on this boat and free study prints here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_tibu.php

01/30/2022

Victor Sharouni just completed this 12' [3.8 M] Cheyenne Pacific Power dory. He sent me a video and I'll make it into a Youtube video shortly.

Free study prints - They're dual dimensioned in both Imperial and Metric dimensions and materials, here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_chey.php

01/02/2022

Ken Waters just completed this 27' Mobile Garvey Dory Cruiser. He used foam board to cover it instead of plywood, and added this unique loading ramp, shanty cabin, and great picture of his grand kids (and dogs) on the bow. I'll guess the ramp is for people boarding and possibly loading bicycles or motorcycles, as it is narrower than the ramp width option shown on the plans. Looks like he'll have a great backwater cruiser and maybe Great Looper?

I'm planning to make a video of this boat soon, as I have a couple of it on the water, and a series of construction photos.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_mobi.php

12/28/2021

Mike Stoikes just sent me these great pictures of his Champlin Skiff project. He got through the fiberglassing and outside painting, but says it's too cold to continue this winter. Looks like he'll be finishing it up when it starts getting warmer in the spring. Looks like he's doing a great job!

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_cham.php

12/12/2021

Jim Miller just finished up his 18' Carolinian Carolina-style dory in Virginia. Such a nice center console and decking on the boat. With the 40 horse it should perform great. Very nice job in it too.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_caro.php

12/10/2021

Mike in Arizona just finished this really nice 14' Seneca Pacific Power dory. He addded some features Oregon Dorymen often use and also scaled it up a bit, within my 10% OK on this size of boat.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_anac.php

12/03/2021

This builder built this Huntington Harbor Kayak in the Canadian Arctic using free lumber he got from the dump. The construction plans and instructions are free, downloadable from my website without registering: https://spirainternational.com/hp_free.html

11/27/2021

John Knowles built this Anacapa Offshore Power Dory in Maine this year. He started in January and it was in the water by June. Nice job!

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_anac.php

11/10/2021

Yet another Seneca! That's three in the past week.

Michael Stendzis finished up his 14' [4.3 M] Seneca Pacific Power Dory in Southern Ontario Canada. Here's the note he sent me along with the pictures:

"Please find attached some photos of my recently completed Seneca for inclusion in your launchings section!
I built the boat from your plans between May 2019 and July 2021. The process was incredibly fun, with lots of challenges to figure out as I went, having never completed a woodworking project of this scale before. She is named "Camilla C" as a tribute to my beloved grandmother. We are enjoying boating her around southern Ontario, Canada.
Thanks,
Michael S."

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

11/08/2021

David Morrell is finishing up this 14' [4.3 M] Seneca Pacific Power Dory in Terryville, CT. He stretched it as well. He's planning to polish up the interior this winter and use it when spring comes.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

11/07/2021

A builder names Edgar is building this 14' [4.3 M] Seneca Pacific Power Dory in his garage. He stretched it 10%. Looks like he has a fun winter project.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

11/03/2021

Kalle Wegelius built this 19' [5.8 M] Albion Pacific Power Dory in Finland. He says it's not quite done, but useable. Winter has started there and he plans on finishing everything up and using it in earnest next spring

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_albi.php

10/24/2021

Interesting how V-Bottom dories are popular on opposite sides of the world - the Canadian Maritimes and Down Under - Australia and New Zealand. (Well, here in Southern California, also.) Like this first one in Prince Edward Island, and the second, one of the first ever built, in New Zealand.

Free study prints for this 19' [5.8 M] Hatteras V-Bottom Dory are here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_hatt.php

10/18/2021

Best Low-Cost Great Loop design.

I've answered quite a few emails lately about a low cost great loop boat that a person could cruise, work remotely and explore the country.

I think the Bahaman would be the ticket. I'd hang a 25 horse 4-stroke outboard on it, and extend the cabin aft to have some indoor working/relaxing space, and equip the boat with a solar system like you might use in a "Van Life" type interior power, and set off and enjoy.

It's cheap to build, sturdy and reliable enough to enjoy. Are you ready to head out on an 8-10 mph adventure over the next year or two, just enjoying the scenery, and the fun of adventure and exploration in the Great Loop?

Free study plans for this boat: https://spirainternational.com/hp_baha.php

10/13/2021

I was googling around and ran across an ad for this Seneca Pacific Power dory in Beaverton Oregon. Apparently he built it in 2016. I haven't seen these pictures beforenor contacted him yet. I'll pass along any contact info to him if you're interested. Here's what he had to say about his boat:

Selling my dory to build another one. In excellent shape built out of Mahogany and marine ply and glassed seams, comes with trolling motor, duel battery bank, GarminGPS/fish finder and the "EasyLoader" trailer. 14 feet built from Spira International Seneca Pacific Dory flat bottom plans.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

10/10/2021

Nice 15' [4.2 M] Alamitos V-Bottom Dory featured in Small Boats Magazine.

Free study prints here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_alam.php

10/04/2021

Mike Stoikes just sent me these great pictures of his Champlain Skiff project. He's doing a fine job, there.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_cham.php

10/02/2021

Pete Woodward Registering His Nola Garvey Dory

Pete Woodward just sent me these pictures and note:

"Hope to get registration and decals this week. Looking forward to launching soon, I'll send you pictures and a video of her on the water."

Looking forward to seeing videos of it in action

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_nola.php

09/29/2021

James Vibert just sent me these great Huntington Harbor Kayak pics. He's just finishing his project, and this shows it just after he completed the paint. It's a great color combo, and love that wood seat finish, too.

FREE plans and Construction Manual may be downloaded at: href="https://spirainternational.com/hp_free.html

09/27/2021

Jamie D just sent me these great pics of his Anacapa Offshore Pacific Dory from BC Canada. Nice cabin to keep out of the rain!

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_anac.php

09/18/2021

Christoffer Thesslund sent me these pictures and comments. He did a great job!

"Hi Jeff,
Today I splashed my Hatteras here in Lovisa Finland. What a feeling! Too bad the fall is here, it is going to be a long winter to wait for boating weathers.
Best regards,
Tosca"

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_hatt.php

09/14/2021

Nader Dal Colletto just finishind up this 19' [5.8 M] Anacapa offshore power dory. Nice cabin!

Free study prints: https://spirainternational.com/hp_anac.php

09/06/2021

Anth Marinaro is just finishing up his Sabine Flats boat, awaiting a new outboard getting ready to launch. He's been taking his time but it is really coming out nicely! These are intended for flat shallows and bayous where they can be powered or poled. This model can be adjusted in length from 15-1/2' [4.7 M] to 19' [5.8 M] as options in the plans. Free study prints here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_sabi.php

09/04/2021

Jeff Crippen, a pastor in Oregon, has built three of my designs so far. This is his latest, a 16' Rogue Power Drifter. It looks like he is doing another bang-up job on it. I'm eager to see it when he gets it in the water.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_rogu.php

09/02/2021

Ron Jansen sent me these pictures and this note about finishing his Carolinian dory and how he plans to use it.

"Hi Jeff,
Here are some pictures of my mostly finished Carolina Dory, the “Jacht”. My friend Tim started this project 5 or 7 years ago (depending on whether you ask him or his wife). He had the frame completed and we took it to my barn this winter to finish the plywood and fiberglass."

"We took it out last night for the maiden voyage and were pleased to find out it floats and didn’t leak at all. It’s far from perfect but we’re excited to use it for walleye fishing and duck hunting this fall."

"Thanks for convincing us it could be done!
Ron Jansen"

Looking good! Hope you enjoy your walleye fishing and duck hunting. Outside of Arctic Char, Walleye is probably my favorite North American freshwater fish to eat.

More information and free study prints may be found at: https://spirainternational.com/hp_caro.php

Address

P. O. Box 2155
Huntington Beach, CA
92647

Telephone

+17146765731

Website

http://spirainternational.com/

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Videos

Have a look at Desert Rat Mike's construction video of the Seneca Pacific Power dory. Free study prints for this hull available at http://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

Derek Fray's Homebuilt Tiburon Panga

Have a look at Derek Fray's Tiburon Build in Ventura California. He did a great job. I also describe the performance and costs to build.

Derek Frey launches his 21' Tiburon Panga from Ventura California. He built it to cruise and fish at the Channel Islands outside of the Ventura and Santa Barbara coastline. These Islands are a state park and are fascinating to visit. They had people living on them years ago, and are a treasure trove of Ice age mega-fauna remains, including a unique species of Mammoth. The waters are a wonderful place to dive, kayak, and fish. Derek uses a 115 Etec and says she screams if the need arises but it really likes 20-25 mph cruising speeds. The boat is amazing in rough choppy waters. The Santa Barbara channel can turn from glassy to a real mess in the afternoons when the winds kick up and the swells come in from the west. More info on this boat and free study prints here: https://spirainternational.com/hp_tibu.php

Pat Provost sent me these great pictures and video of his home built 15' Alamitos V-Bottom Dory. He did a fantastic job on it. The wood trim really stands out. More information, plans ordering information, and free downloadable study plans of this boat may be found at: http://spirainternational.com/hp_alam.php Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/tjkid07

Yes, You CAN Build a Boat - Study Prints, Displacement, Loading

In this video I discuss what goes into boat displacement and hull weight, and how to read that information from my Free Study Prints. Spira International Boats: https://spirainternational.com/hp_wood_boats.html

Marcus Leodolter's Otter's Point Grand Banks Dory

More infor on this design can be found at https://spirainternational.com/hp_otte.php Free study prints there too.

Yes, You Can Build a Boat - Boat Building Fasteners

Spira International has easy to build wooden boat plans. http://spirainternational.com. This video is all about fasteners to build these boats. Some of the items mentioned are available in Amazon.com: Fasteners For 2x Framing to 2x Framing (#10 x 2-1/2): https://amzn.to/2OB3GIF For Keelson to Framing (#10 x 3): https://amzn.to/39ilIYf For 3/4 to 1-1/2 Framing: (#8 x 2): https://amzn.to/39fIEHv For most ply to framing (#8 x 1-1/2): https://amzn.to/39fIEHv For 3/4 to 3/4 framing (#8 x 1-1/4): https://amzn.to/39fIEHv For 1/4" ply to framing (#6 x 1): https://amzn.to/386JNRy Bronze Wood Screws: https://amzn.to/2usstYt Countersink starter drill for traditional wood screws: https://amzn.to/2GZ8EdV For Driving, DeWalt 1/2" 20V Drill Driver: https://amzn.to/2UyLwuL Brace and Bit for Screw Driving: https://amzn.to/3bg8BIJ

Do You Have the Skills to Build a Boat?

This is a first of a series of videos I'm planning answering the perpetual question, "Can I really build a boat?" Website with more information: http://spirainternational.com

Pescadero Carolina Dory

New New Pescadero Carolina Dory Launched in North Carolina More information, plans ordering information, and free downloadable study plans may be found at: http://spirainternational.com/hp_pesc.php

Drone Video of Homebuilt Galveston Garvey Dory

Drone video of a 19' Galveston Garvey Dory. Drones sure take great videos. More on the Galveston, and the plans include a drop down, landing craft style bow transom option. http://spirainternational.com/hp_galv.php

Seneca Pacific Power Dory Cruising the Gulf of Mexico

William Atckinson's Seneca Cruising the Gulf of Mexico William recently posted these to his page talking about how well the Pacific Power dories perform in the Gulf of Mexico. More info, free downloadable study prints and links to purchase the plans can be found at: http://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

Cory Goings, 18' Ka-Joe quiet flats boat

Cory Goings, 18' Ka-Joe quiet flats boat. More info, free downloadable study prints, and free construction photo essay here: http://spirainternational.com/hp_kajo.php

William Atckinson Jr. just completed this 28' Cajun Folkboat, in Lafayette, Louisiana. These were originally powered with single cylinder inboard engines, but this version is adapted to work with modern outboards, from 10 to 65 hp. This is to take visitors on rides through the Bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin. The study prints are now free in the insider section, available here: http://spirainternational.com/hp_fun2017.html

Bob Heidenreich's Tillamook Power dory in the shade. More info here: http://spirainternational.com/hp_till.php

Homebuilt Carolinian by Maxim Daniel Tenhagen

Ron Minervino's 17' Kachemak V-Bottom dory

Ron Minervino's 17' Kachemak V-Bottom dory, named the "Morning Glory" out for a run in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. http://spirainternational.com has plans for this 17' Kachemak V-Bottom dory, great for open bays, coastal ocean, fishing, and having fun.

Seneca Pacific Power Dory with 9.9 hp.

Just loaded my 100th video on Youtube. It's of this 14' Seneca Pacific Power dory in it's maiden run with a 9.9 hp motor. More on the Seneca: http://spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/tjkid07 (2.4 million views and counting...)

23' Ixtapa Panga Home Built by Ken Waters

23' Ixtapa Panga Home Built by Ken Waters, going 50 MPH with 110 HP. More info and free downloadable study prints: http://spirainternational.com/hp_ixta.php

How to Build a Mackinaw McKenzie River Style Drift Boat.

How to Build a Mackinaw McKenzie River Style Drift Boat. I have gone through the construction steps of the 13' Mackinaw so you can see what goes into its construction. More info here: http://spirainternational.com/hp_mack.php