MetalBoatbuilding.org was established as a resource for metal boat builders and owners, and those just plain interested in learning more about metal boats. Or any boats, for that matter, since a lot of the information applies no matter what the construction material. That said, there are many advantages to steel and aluminum as hull materials, and the information here may help a prospective home builder towards a decision in that respect. But whatever the material, we're all boaters, or intend to be so, or have been, and we welcome you to learn from the site contents and contribute  some of your own thoughts, ideas, experiences and knowledge.

On a broader scale, MetalBoatbuilding.org is a community of metal boat people from around the world, and the community would like to encourage all similarly interested people to participate in an ongoing discussion of metal boats, and to contribute to and learn from that discussion. The site is intended to support that community without the need to purchase memberships or join a formal organization. It is funded by donations and operated and maintained by a core group of volunteers (the Dirty Dozen, and yes, there's more to that story) for the benefit of other metal boat aficionados from around the world. Watch this section of the site for tidbits of information and news about events and happenings you might find interesting.

The site also hosts the MetalBoatbuilding Forum, moderated by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable folks in the boatbuilding arena. Use the link to the left of the page to navigate there and look through the forums. Feel free to post questions and start the ball rolling!

Besides the always informative Forum, you will also find a (soon to be) complete guide to building a metal boat in the Metal Boat Guidebook section. This section is evolving as we speak, due largely to the efforts of Holger, who is building his metal boat in Germany.

In addition to the Guidebook, there is now also a new Charts and Tables section. Here you will find, well, charts and tables. They include, or will include, listings of just about everything that goes into building a metal boat, from fasteners to steel and aluminum to welding rod. There are international comparison charts to help users differentiate between specs in different countries and under different systems of measurement. Keep checking back for the latest updates.

And don't miss the User Projects Blog, where users can post updates on their boatbuilding projects and adventures or misadventures. While you're at it, why not register and post a blog entry of your own?