Visit our Popular Forums

**Boracay** · 12-05-2010, 21:14

Since this is the Cruisers Forum I assume that you're ultimately interested in cruising.

I've built two boats from scratch and I'm currently fitting out my 44' Offshore.

In my view the short reply to your question is that unless you have some special circumstance or requirement ... "Don't".

The longer answer is that there are many, many smaller second hand fibreglass boats available for very reasonable prices. Way less than the cost of building. Have a think about what you plan to do eventually and buy a complete boat that suits your needs.

Once boats get over about 15' even the cream puffs will need some sort of work.

Ike · 12-05-2010, 22:05

Don't listen to the naysayers, but do go with someone else's design. there are lots of plans available on the net and you won't have to figure out all the details, make mistakes, do it all over etc.

Here's one I built

You can see the whole story at, New Boatbuilders Home Page - Building the FL12

I bought the plans at Bateau.com Bateau.com - boat plans on line since 1993 but there are lots of others like Glen-L Boat plans, boat building kits for amateur boat builders

The secret is, if you are just starting out, start small and move up gradually. Don't get in a rush. Gain experience slowly and safely.

See this for beginners http://newboatbuilders.com/docs/New_to_Boating.pdf

Good Luck with your project.

44'cruisingcat · 12-05-2010, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boracay

Since this is the Cruisers Forum I assume that you're ultimately interested in cruising.

I've built two boats from scratch and I'm currently fitting out my 44' Offshore.

In my view the short reply to your question is that unless you have some special circumstance or requirement ... "Don't".

I disagree. Building a mono in todays economy might not make sense, but a cat still does.

Even if I saved my butt off, there still no way I could have owned this boat outright in 4 years.

By building it, I do.

What's more, I've met some fantastic people entirely due to building the boat, and I've enjoyed most of the building process too. It's far more interesting, satisfying and rewarding than working 9 to 5 making someone else rich.

dana-tenacity · 13-05-2010, 01:32

You're getting lots of good advice, I do it as recreation, ignore the cost , here's my next project, just finished the jig

**boatman61** · 13-05-2010, 03:05

If you get more daring try one of these... its a 14ft version of a Tiki 21/26.. simple stitch and glue method using 4mm ply, epoxy and glass cloth.. breaks down in 20 mins and is car topable.. sails like a dream.

My Tiki 21 Kali...

**James S** · 13-05-2010, 04:45

IMO you build a boat because you want to build a boat.
If you want to have a boat you buy a boat or in this economy get one for free or the cost of accumulated charges.

Cormorant · 13-05-2010, 05:17

I've built over a dozen boats. It's a beautiful obsession. I enjoy the building process *almost* as much as the sailing. It's wonderful active therapy for anyone who works at a desk most days; and it's a fine antidote to the rampant commercialism of society.
As several have mentioned, you can often find a used fiberglass boat cheaper, but there are some upsides to building a boat yourself. You know it inside and out and have the confidence that if anything breaks you can fix it. Also, you can find a design that meets your needs more precisely than many factory-built boats.
Here's the 31' yawl I built (a Jim Michalak "Cormorant") which we've taken everywhere from Maine to the Bahamas. All told I've put about $10,000 into her. Two years to build, and now 5 years of slow progressive upgrades. She's water-ballasted and shallow-draft and trailerable. Not a bluewater passagemaker, but for my needs in my life right now, I wouldn't trade her for anything.

scheda · 13-05-2010, 05:40

All sorts of good responses overnight

I may one day end up building a real boat for myself, but that's a while away. Right now I just want to get on the water with a sail and play!

Like I said in the original post, rather than eating a chunk out of an already slowly growing blue water boat fund to buy something like a laser, I'm going to build something myself. That's a big part of the fun for me. I really like slapping things together and seeing them come out great.

And considering I've already got most of the materials, I don't think it'll be a problem at all to get done fairly quickly.

**boatman61** · 13-05-2010, 05:47

Well make sure you post some pic's for us to go WOW.. or sadly shake our heads.. or downright guffaw over...
Share the fun....

scheda · 13-05-2010, 05:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well make sure you post some pic's for us to go WOW.. or sadly shake our heads.. or downright guffaw over...
Share the fun....

Lol, I fully plan on it! I'll probably post it up on Instructables too.

SvenG · 13-05-2010, 07:38

Yes, but not the kind you are looking for.

It was an 8' screw-n-glue teak plywood speedboat. It had a 17.5 hp Electrolux-Penta outboard that pushed it just over 20 knots and let me and all my friends in our Baltic cove learn how to water-ski.

I was 14 and built it from a kit over the winter, in my bedroom. All hand tools. It was great both to build and to cruise (tent and sleeping bags to lots of islands)

-Sven

scheda · 13-05-2010, 10:46

I just got back from the hardware store, and based on what I've already got, it shouldn't cost me more than $50 to put something together that'll make for nice afternoons out on the river.

Event_Horizon · 13-05-2010, 17:46

What are you using for hulls?

Howaya · 13-05-2010, 18:32

This was an open bridgeck design when I bought it from the original owner/builder, who had simply run out of steam. It took me an awfully long time to replace the tramp with a hard deck and then add a central cabin and a long list of systems; I nearly lost my resolve, too. In other words, be careful not to bite off more than you can chew.