Need advice!!!!

[Seth_Carley]

What size boat should I build to sail around in the gulf of mexico?? Mostly from louisiana to anywheres in mexico.
Also advice aboat sailing to there would be nice aswell.
Thanks!

[skipmac]

First, why do you want to build a boat? It only makes sense if you just like building. It will NOT save you money over buying a used boat.

As far as how big, depends on you and how you want to sail. People do it on 25' boats and think that is plenty of room and others do it on a 45' boat and think that's too small.

Maybe a little more information about your plans, your experience, exactly what kind of cruising you want to do?

[Seth_Carley]

27 years old, many years in boating, carpentry, and fiberglass boat.
If it comes out well, may start business.

[Seth_Carley]

But, open to buying used

[Seth_Carley]

Also plan to buy property in mexico.

[Seth_Carley]

Wanna sail there

[skipmac]

So if you want to build a boat because you want to build a boat and maybe go into the business then many, many questions.

1. How long do you plan to be working on this boat? The bigger the boat the longer. Unless you don't have to work a day job figure years. 40' or bigger could be many years.

2. How much money do you have to spend on the building project? That will be one of the limiting factors.

3. How small a boat space can you live on? Will it be just you or with a wife and three kids?

[Seth_Carley]

Single, 25' on up boat plans, the living space can be as big as a camper really. Plan to follow the coast really and dock alot.
Funds are limited to least as possible.

[skipmac]

I funds are limited then build the largest boat you can afford that is also the smallest space you can tolerate.

25' is a workable size if that's enough space for you. Would be a bit tight for long cruises as you would be limited in storage space for food, tools, spares and such but especially water.

[Seth_Carley]

Seen an offer for 3500$ for 25' used sailboat. Good deal for fixer??
or build a 45'-60' is still cheaper??

[mr_f]

Yes, you definitely can build a 45'-60' boat for under $3500.

[Seth_Carley]

Ok, then also, should I build a regular, or one of them bi ones that have two floating hulls??

[mr_f]

I think building a multi-hull might be pushing it:

I figure, a 45 foot boat has about 45' * 10' surface area per side, for about 900 square feet of area for the hull and somewhere less than 450 square feed for the deck. Glass cloth seems to run around $8.50 for 12 square feet. I assume you would want a couple of layers to make it good and strong, so that comes to a bit under $2000 for cloth. I imagine you will need a few gallons of resin, so that is another $200-$300, so we will call it $2250 for the hull. You'll need a nice heavy keel for a boat that size, so a couple of thousand pounds of concrete should do it: at $8 for an 80lb bag, that is another $200-300. A good straight tree trunk shouldn't be hard to come by, so the mast is essentially free. A 45' boat usually carries around 1000 square feet in sails. Target is having a special on king size sheets for $19, so for under $500, you could have a good set of sails if you know how to sew. Now we are up to $3000. A boat that size usually has two heads. I would consider buying two "homer" 5 gallon buckets from the home depot: $10. That leaves you nearly $500 to spend on finishing the interior and some electronics and such.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Seth_Carley]

I will definitely keep yall posted, thanks for all this help.
Few last, latenight questions.
Whats a good size to go global?
Are v8 diesels good to put in as custom motor?
What size gas tank should I install?
If I fiberglass, do I still make the boat frame and all from wood?

[Seth_Carley]

Also, how much to sail to mexico, and whats best places to stop from louisiana to cancun?