: . . So rather than splash out on all the specialist tools I
: need for my chosen project I wonder if it might make sense to rent them?
: However I've been having trouble locating a local renter. . .

It might be easier to help you locate a rental operation near you if you would let us know where you are. What major city are you near?

Boat building doesn't call for a lot of major tools. Most of the work is done with common hand tools which are going to be used for many other jobs around the house: Electric drill, stapler, saber saw, hand saw, hand plane, etc. What tools do you think you would need to rent? A table saw for ripping strips would be something to rent rather than buy. I wouldn't bother with renting a router or routers for making bead and cove strips. You would certainly have to buy the router bits.

The tools you will use over the entire length of time that you are building will be quite expensive to rent by the day, so look for sales on good quality, but inexpensive tools.

You might put an ad in the local paper and see if you can find someone who would be willing to do the cutting of strips for you on their own tablesaw. If you provide the wood, and pay them about what you would expect to pay to rent the saw, you might make a good deal--and have someone doing the work who is familiar with their own tools.

Just a thought.

PGJ