Getting afloat need not be difficult or expensive if you build your own boat. Most of the boats described here are suitable for beginners, are small and light enough to be carried on a car roof rack. They can be taken to the sea, river, canal or lake. They are cheap and easy to build. Here you will find a choice including a simple child’s boat [which is able to carry an adult], a general purpose rowing boat which will take an outboard motor or basic sail [and is suitable for estuary fishing], also racing dinghies. There is enough information to build these boats and some plans are available at low cost.