Looking for a builder

[rob denney]

G'day,

I have just finished the drawings for a 60'/18m charter harryproa for Seabattical Charters We are looking for someone to build it later this year.

Proximity to the Caribbean would be an advantage, as would experience with foam sandwich, vacuum infusion and KSS or other panel build techniques, although none of these are essential as I intend to be on hand for at least the first part of the build.

If you know of any builders who may be interested, please let me know.

Regards,

Rob

[Whimsical]

Jeez you are cleaver Rob.
It must be built in the Carrib so you just have to go over lots to supervise.
How do I get such a terrible job.

Mike

[rob denney]

Oooh yeah. So it does. Never gave it (or the delivery trip) a thought! ;-)

rob

[Blue Skye]

Might want to check out Kelsall Catamarans - Ballotta Catamarans - Custom built catamarans - Who we are They are familiar with the KSS build, resin infused and seem to do a nice job with fit out.

Not in the carib but the west side of South America has some beautiful areas.

[rob denney]

G'day,

Thanks for all the contacts, (on and off list) for the build of the Seabattical 18m/60' charter proa.

Ballotta in Peru will build the two hulls, decks and beams, with
bulkheads and floors, all LPU painted and joined together for $96,000
(all prices US dollars). Ballotta make some of the lowest cost
quality cats in the world. Their 14m/46' cat to the same stage is
$135,000, their 11.5m/39' cat is $99,000.

Materials were priced from the USA and were expensive compared to
buying and shipping them from Australia. A saving of $10,000 for the
foam option, $16,000 for Polycore, plus whatever time and material
savings are available from the build system (see below).

The proa will be easier than the cat to fit out as the windward hull
is all on one level and flat. It will be built on the workshop floor,
then lifted and bonded to the hull. However, it has 4 double cabins
with ensuites, compared to 3 in the cat, so the end result will
probably be similar. The 39' cat ready to to sail costs $275,000, the
46'ter $350,000. The 18m/60' proa with the same fit out, (see
Kelsall Catamarans - Ballotta Catamarans - Custom built catamarans - Prices) but a lot more space and
performance, will be somewhere between them.

Of particular interest is the 46' cat's stayed alloy rig cost of
$52,000. We expect to beat this price with 15% more sail area in an
unstayed schooner rig. A quote for the complete boat will be
available when I finish the drawings, at which stage I will also be
looking for feedback on layout etc from group members. Construction
should start later this year.

The 2.4m/8' long quarter scale model of one half of the charter proa
lee hull is completed. The build system worked a treat, required no frames, cutting or shutting. Polycore (and presumably foam) can be compounded quickly and accurately for rockerless hulls with vertical stems. The Polycore soaked up 200 gsm of resin per side, a little less than H80 foam (250gsm), but with a much stronger bond.

The full size panels will be done on a vacuum table. Maybe infused,
maybe not as I think it will be quicker overall to bag it twice and
have a mould finish on both sides of the panels.

Regards,

Rob