Denman Marine Newsletter

Hi there, and welcome to the latest Denman Marine newsletter.

In this month's newsletter we have:

• Why Choose a Plans and Manual Package
• Why Most CLC Designs Suit First-Time Builders
• Choosing Your First Project
• 10% off Plans and Manual Packages
• Build Updates

If there is anything you would like to see in our future newsletters, discuss, query or order, please contact us via the contact form on our website.

Plans and manual packages offer another way to build many of the Chesapeake Light Craft designs available through Denman Marine. Instead of receiving pre-cut plywood parts, the builder works from (often full-sized) drawings, transferring the shapes onto suitable material, cutting the components and following the construction manual through the build process.

Building from plans can sound like a project intended only for experienced boatbuilders. However, with a suitable design and good documentation, it can be a very achievable first project. The vast majority of CLC's most popular designs have been developed specifically with first-time builders in mind, often aimed at those with little to no experience.

You do not need to be a qualified shipwright or an experienced cabinetmaker to get great results. Patience, care, a modest collection of tools and a willingness to follow the process are generally far more important.

CLC plans and manual packages are generally a substantial step above the brief drawings and limited notes many associate with amateur boat plans. Rather than leaving the builder to interpret a set of lines and work out the construction sequence independently, most packages comprise full-sized patterns ready to be transferred directly onto plywood, or in some cases dimensioned drawings with an extensively detailed and illustrated construction manual.

Depending on the design, a package may include:

• Full-sized patterns
• Detailed construction drawings and component dimensions
• An extensively detailed and illustrated build manual
• Plywood and timber selection guidance
• Material lists and hardware information
• A logical, step-by-step building sequence
• Illustrations and photographs explaining unfamiliar processes
• Guidance on stitch-and-glue construction, epoxy work and fibreglassing
• Finishing, fitting-out and rigging information where applicable

For a plans builder, the main additional work is sourcing the required materials, transferring the shapes onto plywood and cutting the components. This can take quite a bit more time than assembling from one of our CNC-cut kits, but it may end up reducing the initial purchase cost and gives the builder complete control over the selection of timber or plywood, epoxy, fasteners and fittings.

A small number of larger or more specialised designs, including designs supplied as ProKits, assume previous wood-epoxy boatbuilding experience and a greater ability to work directly from drawings. These are the exception rather than the rule, and we can help identify an appropriate design before you order.

Choosing Your First Project

Your best first boat is not necessarily the smallest or the cheapest. It is the design that suits your intended use, workspace, available time and current skill level.

Simple kayaks, canoes, rowing boats and smaller sailing boats are generally the most approachable starting points. Before ordering, consider:

• Whether the design is described as beginner-friendly or assumes prior experience
• Whether you prefer paddling, rowing, sailing or motoring
• How much time you want to spend marking and cutting components
• Whether you have sufficient space to build the design
• How you will store and transport it once completed

Unsure which project is right for you? Tell us what sort of boat you are considering, how much room you have and what experience you are bringing to the project. We can help narrow the range to designs that are realistic for your first build.

10% OFF Plans and Manual Packages

Save 10% on eligible Chesapeake Light Craft plans and manual packages throughout August. It’s a great opportunity to choose your spring project, with plenty of time to study the construction method and begin sourcing materials before starting your build.

We’ve also got you covered if you change your mind about building from scratch. After reviewing the plans, simply get in touch. We can deduct the cost of the manual and any kit plans* from the price of a future kit, and can add or remove items to tailor the kit to your requirements.

Use the coupon code PLANS10 during checkout until the end of August.

Head over to our Chesapeake Light Craft range to browse the available designs, or contact us if you need help confirming whether a plans package is available for your preferred design.

Denman Marine is Chesapeake Light Craft's Australian and New Zealand agent for their fantastic range of DIY kits. There is a huge selection of over sixty designs, including kayaks, canoes, rowing and sailing boats and even a teardrop camper. Be sure to head on over to our Chesapeake Light Craft page to grab a bargain on your next project. Below you can find a few recent examples of what our builders have been up to.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form to discuss your next boat or project.

Any prices listed are in Australian Dollars.

® Denman Marine 2026
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