Newbie Boat Builder

[CarlF]

As you're getting the sense, many are concerned about your plan to build a boat from scratch. That's because we all know someone (and in some cases many) who have abandoned half finished boats.

Instead, your skills and character seem perfect to restore an old wooden boat. You can find wonderful old boats in "not bad shape" for almost nothing (actually sometimes nothing if you can convince the owner you will take good care of her). Fixing one up will test all of your skills and you will end up with something far more beautiful and seaworthy and remarkable than your plans. Look at the back of Wooden Boat magazine to get an idea of what is available. Then visit some boatyards.

Carl

[Ike]

SOrry about my "Listen to your mother" comment. I didn't listen to mine much either, but I should have. Anyway look at Bone Yard Boats Bone Yard Boatsâ„¢ - Saving Old Boats Since 1996 Some of these are give aways, most are minimal cost and all are fixer uppers. Beats starting from scratch.

Here's another http://www.woodenboatrescue.org/

[Cadence]

I guess I'm back. I counldn't agree more, with Carl, that you would be much farther ahead rebuilding. However, not a wood boat. Wood is quaint but maintenance never gives you a rest, not that any boat does, but wood is as bad as it gets.

Find a fiberglass hull. In todays economy they are a dime a dozen.

[Cadence]

Ike,

Thanks for the links, I think. It's sad to see the old wooden boats going down the tubes. I was looking for some I grew up on.

[Ike]

I just spent ten days in Port Townsend, Washington, which is kind of the mecca of boat building on the west coast. I spent quite a few days haunting the boat yards and marinas. It is tragic the number of boats sitting on the hard and just going to hell. There are a lot for sale at really ridiculously low prices (an 1889 Herreshoff 76 foot sailboat for $27,000?) and just a whole lot for sale. Many have notices posted on them saying the boat has been abandoned by the owner and the yard is going to sell it for whatever they can get. And there are even more sitting in the water, obviously neglected, with for sale signs on them. So if you can't find a boat at a bargain price, you just aren't looking. By the way, I am talking wood, fiberglass, and metal. I even saw one ferrocement (yuk). So you pays your money and you takes your choice. All these boats need work. It'll certainly keep you busy.

[dirk6001]

Hi Boracay,
I am planning on purchasing the plans for the van de Stadt Sea Mini 21, and would like to know your experiences with building this boat. It will be my first project, so all advice is welcome. Also, which version did you build, the round bilge epoxy or multi chime, and what are the advantages of each.
thanks for your help,
Dirk

or the

Originally Posted by Boracay

Some time ago I built a Van De Stadt Sea Mini 21. Totally basic finish, minimal fitout. Porta poti, metho stove.

I sailed that boat up and down the coast from Wewak for short distances, and to the nearby offshore islands with my then wife for a year or so. I was young, it was great.

It took me close to a year of consistent effort to build it. Estimating 500+ hours. Scaling up your Vagabond 26 would come in at the top end of the designers estimates (at 800 hours). A first class finish and fitout could easily treble that.

I would suggest doing your homework on costs very carefully. While the basic materials may look reasonable new parts from your friendly chandlers are really going to add up.

To give you a comparison the (roughly) equivalent Van de Stadt design to your Vagabond 26 is the Dolphin 26. I found the Van de Stadt Sea Mini design to be complete to the point of not requiring any enquiry or thought on my part. The parts list was so thorough that I was able to order everything needed for delivery from Australia to New Guinea.

This looks to be a really nice boat for gunk holing and limited coastal cruising for weekend and holidays with your wife, not to mention being a rewarding project. Together with a suitable trailer it would be able to access many cruising grounds.

Others may have better insight than me as to it's suitability for a trip to Brazil. I would hesitate to contemplate that voyage in the steel Roberts Offshore 44 that I am currently fitting out.

[bobconnie]

GET TO WORK !! your doing what I did at your age,And it was a Great Idea that was a lot more then I bargined for LOL but you know I finished just like you will cus your heads in the right place !! the only thing I would say is your going to small ! for what you want to do look around a little bit thinking maybe 32 ft or a little bigger ! may take a little longer but the finished product will much better suited for your needs !! Theres some really good designers out there !! in many styles and Matierals I started at 42 ft in steel !! much easier for me then wood LOL Bob and Connie.

[kaimusailing]

Ahoy Joseph,
There is a time lapse video of a Wharra Tiki 26 catamaran being built in 180 days. Your design might be done as quickly.
I've gone along with several bargain boat buyers into the local boatyards and there are many projects just waiting for a skilled carpenter to redo the interior, which is probably the biggest part of the boatbuilding job.
Is there any way you can get feedback from anyone who has built your design? Read some Webb Chiles to get a feel for that kind of adventure. I am in agreement that the build is very rewarding and I know of a couple of boatbuilders who said the build was what they really got enjoyment, not so much the sailing.
Good luck in your project and I'm sure everyone here would like to hear about the progress and maybe even offer advice.