3D printers onboard

[JC Reefer]

Recently I have fallen down a rabbit hole of 3D printing. I have found it easy to build basic items or edit someone else’s work. There are free sources of probably millions of designs for anything you’d find in your home. If it’s made of plastic then you can print it. The main limitation is the size of the printer.

Running one on a boat would be an energy hog, but how useful would it be to have something that can make complex plastic replacement parts?

In a remote area, could you see someone earning a bit of side cash printing items for the Anchorage? What would you be interested in building? What would you pay for it?

Check out https://www.thingiverse.com, pretty much all designs are free.

[Oeanda]

Can you print a muffler for my wet exhaust? I’m guessing it’s too large. Beyond that, and parts for the head, we just don’t have much plastic on the boat.

[JC Reefer]

Not sure about the size of your muffler. But printing replacement marine head parts would be simple.

There are even inexpensive 3D scanners that can assist in create complex pieces.

[Perfect Ride]

I looked at this for the boat in 2014, decided against it in preference to other toys. In the last six years I have been able to manufacture a few needed parts with starboard and patience when in remote locations. The motivation to purchase anything at anchor would be dependent on location and time until somewhere with easy access on-line mail services. From personal experience, my demand would not be that great. I would find much more use for someone with a Sailrite and some gortex thread :-)

[tkeithlu]

Relative cost would be a problem. My son is a designer with access to an industrial grade 3-D printer; when I needed a small rubber funnel-shaped part for an antique motorcylce, the expected cost was $200. Internet plus shipping has covered nearly all the Earth, so either time would have to be short or the part rare. That puts you out at the ends of the Earth, and how would you be in the right place when the stars aligned and the need was there?