DIY Plate Boats: What’s in the Kit—and What You’ll Need to Add

When you order a CNC Marine kit, it can be hard to picture what actually arrives at your shed—and what you’ll still need to sort out yourself. In this week’s podcast, we dug into the most common question from first-time builders: “How complete is the kit?”

Here’s the short version:

What’s Included

• All aluminium components – plates, extrusions (6.5m full lengths), stiffeners, pipework, rails, flat bar, angles.

• Drawings & part lists – every piece clearly marked, including which need folding or pressing.

• DXFs & window drawings – ready for local fabrication.

• Fuel tank + hard lines – ready for soft lines to be added.

• Trailer kits – available and designed to fit CNC boats specifically.

What You’ll Need to Organise

• Tools & shed space – welder, grinder, drill, sander. (We’ve got a free Pure Plate YouTube video covering this.)

• Pressing/folding – take cut parts and the 103 drawing to a local fab shop.

• Buoyancy foam – we supply calculations, you buy it locally.

• Windows – Perspex through to high-end sliding glass. DXFs supplied.

• Electronics – as basic or high-end as you want.

• Hinges, hatches, seats & upholstery – available from suppliers like Sam Allen, BLA, or Whitworths.

• Deck coverings – U-Dek, carpet, or bare checker plate—it’s your choice.

• Wraps or coatings – from polished alloy to full vinyl wraps.

A CNC kit gives you everything you need to build the boat itself—but some things (like foam, folding, windows, and finishing touches) are better handled locally. That’s part of what makes DIY builds affordable, customisable, and achievable.

Want the full deep dive? Check out CNC Marine Podcast Ep. 11 where we unpack all the details, share tips, and answer builder questions direct from the community.