if you have to build a REGULATED converter... that's a pretty tough challenge if you can't use a controller chip. you would have to build a PWM controller (including triangle wave generator and comparators, among other things) completely out of transistors and discretes... I wouldn't even begin to attempt that :lol:
if it doesn't have to be regulated, you could just build a voltage doubler... then all you have to do is build a transistor oscillator (not necessarily hard).
won't be good for much output current, but you didnt' specify a minimum.
I'm not surprised you couldn't simulate those circuits in EWB. most simulation programs have a very hard time dealing with switched inductor DC-DC converter designs, if that's what you were trying... when I built one, I ended up giving up on simulation and just building it in real life, and it worked fine.