I'm considering building a flat bottom bay boat 14-16 ft. No sides, nothing fancy, just your typical simple flat boat. I just want to make a frame out of 2 by's, curve the front up, cover it in plywood then glass it. I just want some simple plans or resources so I don't make it to heavy or to weak. Has anyone done this that can ofer some insight?

I may be wrong but the biggest problem may be getting TPWD certification on it. I know several years back, 30+, I built a square stern canoe and was told that if I put any sort of motor on it, it had to be registered and had to be certified by them.

Yep got motor(even troll motor) need reg.+ TP&W inspection they put serial numbers on it, think its $25 for inspection

There's a ton of them on the coast, including mine. You'll need to keep records of materials used, and get it inspected.

I've built several. 1st, make a sketch of the boat that you want to build, 2nd keep all material receipts, 3rd After the basic hull is formed, call the Game Warden for a peliminary inspection, 4th After the hull is complete, call for a final inspection. Words of caution; If the design is poor, you will not pass an inspection, He will be looking for seaworthyness, and building techinques that will withstand the rigurs of the sea. The vessel must meet basic standards and quality of workmanship might be a cause of inspection failure. If you are unsure of the design, take your sketch to TPWD and ask for an evaluation. You cannot use an existing hull without relinquishing that hulls title. The hull must also be so radically remodeled that it is no longer reconizable as a copy of the orginal hull. So don't think you will take a hull and cut the top off and repaint it and call it homemade. It ain't gonna happen.
But the best joy in the whole process is the planning, building and launching of your project. I guarantee that your boat will draw attention where the $60,000 boat next to it only gets a glance. Good luck. ps. There are several sites on boat building and design on the internet. The most popular is "stitch and glue".

Thanks for your input.

Did you use any books or where did you find plans or get started on the design? I've found several plans but nothing like what I'm thinking. I want something simple like Pat's pic but not even brining the bow to a point. I'm mostly worried about building it to heavy or two week and want some resource to start on the planning before I go through with it.

I have a degree in drafting, so drawing a plan/sketch is no problem. I would search the internet for the style boat that you are looking for. Places like, Glenn-L, Dory, P-row, all have several good plan books to look at. U-tube will give you some video of Stitch and Glue methods as well. There is an 18ft Dory built in up state New York that I found that was great. Also, Aransas Pass High School woodworking shop use to build one of the best flats boat around, that was until some kid got hurt on it and the parents sued the school claiming slavery. Might get a hold of the shop teacher and see if he still has a set of plans.

I can do enough drafting to give me something to go on. I just don't know how far to space supports and how large of boards to use. I've looked for plans and haven't found what I wanted but I guess I'll have to find something close and modify it.

hey...http://spirainternational.com/hp_craw.php

Jeff at spirainternational is great at helping people with homemade boats. getting the boat tagged and Inspected is no real issue either. Im putting together a 19 foot Pacific power Dory called an Albion. They draft very little water, are WAY stronger than any of the aluminum boats out there, and can be built for a lot less than what places like BPS sell theirs for. Take a look at them, theres also a Facebook page full of completed builds. PM me for more info...but go to the site first.