Launched

-Ripple- Ultralight dinghy from scratch build

by Mark Elwell · Message Mark Elwell

I have been thinking about a dinghy for my boat. After looking around for a commercial built dinghy under 50 pounds, found that I may have to build it. So I ordered the PDF files from Chesapeake light craft to build the ultralight 6 foot dinghy. I am going to build it from scratch with no kit, maybe save a little bit of money in the process. Hopefully I can keep the weight under 45 pounds.

1 Make a book Feed The whole log, 1 entry and every photo, laid out as a book to print, bind and keep.

Entries

212

Hours

n/a

Written up afterwards

Photos

$848

Spent

Oct 2025

Started

All steps Plans & Lofting Stitch & Assembly Fillets & Taping Glassing & Epoxy Hull Exterior Interior & Cockpit

Oldest first

Sun 24 Aug 2025 Plans & Lofting 24 h 1 Link

Transferring plans and making router templates.

I went to an architect to have the PDF plans printed out. Then I glue them to a thin piece of plywood to make templates for the router to follow on the finish planks later on.

What it cost

$848.06

$534.09

Into the boat

$313.97

Tools & gear

Item	Qty	Supplier	Cost
Chesapeake light craft digital plans	One PDF file download	Chesapeake light craft	$89.00
Router bits	3	Amazon	$58.56
Harbor freight, Palm router	1 router	Harbor freight	$90.94
3mm door skin plywood	2 sheets	Home Depot	$30.00
1/4 " sheets of birch plywood	2 sheets	Home Depot	$160.03
16 gauge wire steel	1 roll	Home Depot	$13.47
4 ounce fiberglass cloth	3 yards	Amazon	$21.39
Slow cure high UV resistant epoxy resin	1.5 gallon kit	Fiberglass supply depot, Fort Pierce, Fl.	$217.54
2" x 8" x 8' Western Cedar Plank	1 (picked up in damaged bin) half price	Lowes	$21.39
6 ounce fiberglass cloth	3 yards	Family donation to project (free)	$0.01
Non-waxed white gel coat	1 gallon	Fiberglass supply depot	$76.49
Rust-Oleum gloss almond enamel paint	1 quart	Home Depot	$18.62
Rust-Oleum gloss hunter green.	1 Quart	Home Depot	$18.62
Tape, paint brushes, rollers, misc.	24	n/a	$32.00