Flying Fisherman: A Free Plan for an 11 ft 6 in Fishing Boat

Flying Fisherman is a compact fishing boat with a name that hints at a little extra pace. It is 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) long and can be planked in plywood, or in thin cedar with seam battens and canvas covering. Power ranges from a small kicker up to a 20 hp outboard. That gives you a quiet troller one day and a quick ride back to the dock the next.

Flying Fisherman at a glance

Detail	Flying Fisherman
Type	Fishing boat
Length	11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Construction	Plywood planking, or thin cedar with seam battens and canvas covering
Power	Small kicker to a 20 hp outboard
First published	Mechanix Illustrated, p. 61
Plan sheets	15

Two ways to build it

Plywood is quick and easy to source, while thin cedar with seam battens and canvas gives a lighter, more traditional finish. Choose the method that suits your skills and the materials near you. The plan covers both, so you can decide before ordering timber. Both routes lead to a capable little boat.

At 11 ft 6 in, the boat is small enough to launch easily but roomy enough for a fisherman and gear. Fifteen sheets make this one of the most detailed plans in the collection. With that much detail on paper, you can tackle either version with confidence. It is a fine boat for long days of fishing.

The original plan sheets

These are the 15 original sheets, scanned from the magazine (the first 12 are shown here). For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.

Before you build

• Decide between plywood and cedar-and-canvas before cutting, as the framing details differ.
• Stay within the 20 hp outboard limit, and remember a small kicker is ideal for trolling.
• Fit flotation under the seats so the boat stays afloat if swamped.

Download the plan

All fifteen original Flying Fisherman sheets in one file, covering both construction methods.

Download the complete plan (PDF, 15 sheets, 2.1 MB)