Custom Catamaran Cost & Builders

[Lightwave99]

I doubt $500,000 would be enough for a custom 45-foot cat. We built our own Richard Woods designed Gypsy 28, which then became a Gypsy 32, and finally, after cutting it up and extending it another 5 feet, a Gypsy 37. We can tell you a few things: boatbuilding is not cheap--even if you do it yourself! And, especially if you are doing it yourself, it ALWAYS takes a lot longer than you thought it would. And...here's the clincher...most people do not focus (every night after work, every weekend) to get it done ASAP, so it ends up taking too long, they get discouraged, and it sits in the boatyard for 10 or 20 years ignored. So, question is: how much do you actually know about boatbuilding. I agree with earlier posts: find a cat that is ready to go and much reduced in price because it's older and have an extremely good surveyor and also a catamaran specialist examine it thoroughly before buying it; or hire a proven builder--but I really cannot see getting custom-made 45-foot cat for $500,000.

[Sidney777]

South Africa built. Maybe.

[Bunji]

Originally Posted by Lightwave99

I doubt $500,000 would be enough for a custom 45-foot cat. We built our own Richard Woods designed Gypsy 28, which then became a Gypsy 32, and finally, after cutting it up and extending it another 5 feet, a Gypsy 37. We can tell you a few things: boatbuilding is not cheap--even if you do it yourself! And, especially if you are doing it yourself, it ALWAYS takes a lot longer than you thought it would. And...here's the clincher...most people do not focus (every night after work, every weekend) to get it done ASAP, so it ends up taking too long, they get discouraged, and it sits in the boatyard for 10 or 20 years ignored. So, question is: how much do you actually know about boatbuilding. I agree with earlier posts: find a cat that is ready to go and much reduced in price because it's older and have an extremely good surveyor and also a catamaran specialist examine it thoroughly before buying it; or hire a proven builder--but I really cannot see getting custom-made 45-foot cat for $500,000.

Couldn’t agree more, Build a tender first. Buy one (buyers market)

[Bon Temps]

That is the worst idea I have ever heard of. I just refitted my 38 ft cat. It took me 2 yrs and over $300,000. Just go buy a Seawind 1260 deluxe and be done with it.

[markiobe]

Talk to Maverick yachts in South Africa. Good quality, very seaworthy boats and as far as I understand they will do anything from a highly customised production model to a complete custom

[Lightwave99]

"Have you considered a hurricane damaged boat"???? - not a good idea. There could be tons of problems with it. If you are experienced, as you say, you will know that. A bigger hole in the water through which you dump your money!

[YARGESOL]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

His website is certainly alive and kicking, obviously no new designs and not sure what support you would get if you bought plans.



Don't know who actually runs the site now.



Anyone know?

They do reply(not rapidly)-the guy name is Toni. I've got the study plan for Cordoba,paid by paypal. I don't think they can provide the support as Malcolm did to Gary-the builder and the 1st owner of my cat-Timeliner 46
Last year we've met with Gary. His budget was well below 500k. But,he spent 4 years ,rented a shade in front of the water . He mentioned 100k level for materials and these are good materials: red cedar stripes,West system epoxy,Aulgrip,Selden,Harken,Spectra,Yanmars etc

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

If I were interested in having a 45 ft or so custom cat built and wanted to keep the budget under $500K is this reasonable? And can anyone suggest a builder?

It would seem like this is a very reasonable budget, but based on the price of most production cats maybe not. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I should be able to get something that matches my needs rather than buying a new or used production model and then spending even more to change a lot.

I am NOT looking for ultra luxurious or even extreme performance. I plan to do much of the final fit-out myself and really need a solid foundation to work from.

Any thoughts on the budget or suggestions for a builder would be welcome!

I am a boatbuilder and it is a bit hard to give an accurate cost on any boatbuilding projects without having more precise perameters.
Size?
It depends very much on the design and type of construction materials and methods, alu? GRP? Stripped planked/epoxy?
What sort of engines, mast, rigging, electronics etc.
Location? Rent, overheads, insurance
Type of contract, hourly rate most likely, some steps can be quoted, some can not, time frame?

In my experience it is cheaper to buy a good used cat, you might have to replace some gear but you have a boat now and have more control over your funds.
A lot of people think that having to pay someone to build your dream boat is cheaper then buying one already made is a fallacy.

On the other hand it certainly is an adventure .
Best of luck

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Icarus

A lot of people think that having to pay someone to build your dream boat is cheaper then buying one already made is a fallacy.

On the other hand it certainly is an adventure .
Best of luck

The problem arises when you discover that no mass production boat is your dream boat.

The low volume specialist production boats are far from cheap. In those instances a custom build can be competitive.

[canadian cat]

What is a reasonable $ figure for the basic hull? Oram quotes $115k AUD for a 48' and 6800kg cat. I costed out the raw materials for a 8000kg epoxy, foam, glass cat at $107K USD.

Oram quotes $150k for fitout.

Do these numbers seem reasonable? 44 cruising cat was your experience similar?

[Lightwave99]

Originally Posted by Steel sails

Have you thought about a Hurricane damaged boat. My insurance company sold Cheorae for $30k The water maker and Electric winches were brand new and worth that. She hadn’t sunk, damaged on the Hard. Buyer glassed the hull repair and then Motored her to his home port. He s on here sometimes maybe he can comment on the refit costs
Regards
Paul
.

Really? Buying a hurricane damaged boat you have no idea what you are getting. No idea. Repairing a boat could take years. Literally. We are boatbuilders, having built our own catamaran and extended her twice, and we can tell you three things: Everything takes at least twice as long as you think it is going to take. Boatyards are full of "good intentions"--people buy scrapped boats thinking it will be a breeze and cheap to fix them up and make them sailable and guess what? It's not. So they give up. Building or fixing up a boat is very costly, even if you do know what you are doing. I go with the earlier post--find a good used catamaran, have a reputable surveyor look it over carefully, especially the engines, and go from there.

[Lightwave99]

Originally Posted by canadian cat

What is a reasonable $ figure for the basic hull? Oram quotes $115k AUD for a 48' and 6800kg cat. I costed out the raw materials for a 8000kg epoxy, foam, glass cat at $107K USD.

Oram quotes $150k for fitout.

Do these numbers seem reasonable? 44 cruising cat was your experience similar?

If you want to know what basic hulls cost, contact the companies that build them--Schinning, being one of them. I'm puzzled why you are asking for all this advice. Just look into it.

[canadian cat]

Originally Posted by Lightwave99

If you want to know what basic hulls cost, contact the companies that build them--Schinning, being one of them. I'm puzzled why you are asking for all this advice. Just look into it.

I took the numbers directly from Bob Orams site, but I am interested in other peoples experience regarding cost for custom builds. The designers/builders might just have a biased interest in low balling the numbers a bit. I even costed out material from Composites one in Arizona.

Just adding to the conversation. It seems to me that this is on topic for this tread?

What is with the grumpy response. Too much rain up in Vancouver.

[RCinAR]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

I know of a Atlantic 55 bare hulls and bridge deck. A ton of money was spent to get to this stage. At this point is almost free but hard to move a 28' wide cat. Could be finished at current facility and some labor possibly available.

Boatguy 30 - Saw your post on the CW Atlantic 55 hulls and bridgedeck - I am also very interested in more details if they're available as I currently own a set of Chris White plans for an Atlantic 46 LR (48) - the one that was never built... Thanks.

[GRIT]

I believe you were asking for a hull and deck for $500,000, with bulkheads installed. I believe you can do that. Have you talked to TP12, he seems to be interested.

If you're clever, you can save alot of money, talk to 44C about his rig.

If you want to go the manufactured route, then it's a bit more. Our rig costs 4 times more than how 44C did his. I doubt there's much difference in quality, you pay for convenience.

We've just ordered our Selden mast and rigging, deck hardware (Harken electric winches, and Antal electric line driver), and the total costs, not including sails, is just over $60,000 USD.

As with most things in life, there's an incredible range from which to choose. Both in costs, and quality. Sometimes, higher costs means better quality; sometimes not.

Cheers, and good luck.

Paul.