Tools for Construction

The tools and skills needed to build a boat can vary widely depending on the amount of fit and finish you want to have. After all, the original boats were likely built with chop axes and hand saws. We built the Ruckers striving for a fine finish, strength, and a boat which would be friendly to live in for the festival week. This saw us doing things like routing the edges on all ribs and exposed boards, not because it was more authentic or asthetically pleasing, but rather because we knew full well that at some point we’d be barefooted and kick the ribs while poleing.

• Bandsaw – we used a 1.5 hp 18" Jet Bandsaw to cut out the ribs, gussets etc.

• Hand drills- used to pre-drill holes to nail into white oak

• Electric plane – used to flatten ribs where planking boards meet the ribs

• Sawzall- used for a multitude of different operations

• Skill Saw – used for a multitude of operations

As you can see, only basic tools are needed to build a batteau.