Self build catamarans designs

[Fore and Aft]

Dale I see so many boat building projects lose momentum and for me it’s better to have completed a project in any material rather than never complete it. I am even a fan of thrashing that Visa card if you run out of money while building. Anything to keep the project moving forward. Weather is also another big factor. You would have to be super dedicated to wear a sperm suit and work with fibreglass in the temperatures we have been having in Queensland lately.
Now if they could get resin to smell like vanilla and fibreglass dust to be no more nasty than talcum powder I would build a glass boat for sure.
Jonannie when you build your cat using peel ply fabric will save you hours of grinding/sanding fibreglass.
Cheers

[jonannie@f2s.com]

Originally Posted by alumcat

Self build cats.
I built my own cat. a sailing aluminium cat, 48 ft long. I bought the plans from an Australian, Tim Mumby designs. You could try googling him. If you want to see his plans, I only live in Gloucester.

High alum at did you build in Gloucester UK if so have you finished the build and where do you keep the cat

[freeden]

Hi jonannie thermolite doesn't need a covering of glass but the joins do, so when you tape and epoxy the joins you end up with high ares so I skimmed the whole hull with thickened epoxy and that worked out fine it gives a nice finish once sanded. it's made for marine applications and you can see it being used on boats on youtube,
and as Chotu posted its a lot like coosa board but has different strengths depending on what you need.
den

[Steamer]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Then you get these type of plywood cat for sale for $1million usd

Dudley Dix DH550 Catamaran for sale by owner

Believe this one is strip planking built.

[Sasha47]

For a newbie and for the one who doesn’t want to build it fast, the best IMHO is to contact Derek Kellsal ! One hull in a week or two!
Look at his website, you’ll find what you need!

[Sasha47]

Sorry, shall read for the one who want a fast build, not years of construction...”

[JOHNMARDALL]

I'm not sure if your thought is to do this yourself or have the boat built by others after you've selected the hull construction method but here are a few thoughts:


The hull is going to be about 20% of the total cost of the boat. You may be a able to purchase a completed hull from a boat builder and fit it out yourself. Of course, to do that you will need a place to keep the boat on the dry and all of the required tools and equipment. Think about access hatches to install engines, gensets and other electrical-mechanical equipment. I see that you're in England, so take a look at the catamaran center in Totnes, Devon.


If you decide to encapsulate a plywood hull in fiberglass, find a copy of "Covering Wooden Boats with Fiberglass" by the late Allan H. Vaitses, published in the USA by the International Marine Publishing division of McGraw Hill. It's the bible on this subject and the methods described are used by all reputable "cold molded" builders.


This project will require between 10 and 15 man years of full time work. If you live to make things, you'll have found a new and enjoyable way of life and employment. If you want to go sailing, buy a boat.


All the best
John Mardall
Vetus Maxwell Boat Equipment

[FerrariSailing]

Don’t do it, buy a used one!
I have built three bridge deck cats over a 30 year period so I speak from experience.
Don’t build one, fly to Queensland where 90% of yachts are cats and just buy one cheap then go sailing in near perfect weather inside the Great Barrier Reef
Best of luck
Rog

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by JOHNMARDALL

This project will require between 10 and 15 man years of full time work. If you live to make things, you'll have found a new and enjoyable way of life and employment. If you want to go sailing, buy a boat.


All the best
John Mardall
Vetus Maxwell Boat Equipment

My 44' Oram cat took me about 6000 hours to build. Entirely by myself.

It gets faster with experience.

Peter Snell, designer of the Easy cats, was considerably more experienced. He used to build one of his boats in 2000 hours.

Another experienced builder and designer of several monohulls built his Oram 48C, which is actually 50' long, in 11 months, with help from his wife.

10 to 15 years full time (20,000 to 30,000 hours) is a ridiculous number. Nobody would build, and boats would cost more than anyone could afford.

[Bunji]

BUY ONE, market conditions dictate the simple fact that it is cheaper to buy than build, buy, modify, refit to ones liking making sure u start from a good sound base

[44'cruisingcat]

A 15 year old example of my boat's design recently sold for well over $300,000. 15 years old.

Mine cost $200,000. to build. Brand new.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

A 15 year old example of my boat's design recently sold for well over $300,000. 15 years old.

Mine cost $200,000. to build. Brand new.

Closer to 350 than 300

[Iains boatyard]

You could also try Mike Waller Design, Aussie designer I have built and lived cruised the CC 40
Great boats simple to build , strong good performers.
Using ply glass is so simple especially for a home builder he has a very good set of instruction manuals. If you put the effort with the finishing you won’t be disappointed.
He has a web site

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Factor

Closer to 350 than 300

Yeah, thought it was, but didn't know for sure.

[Bunji]

44c u missed the point, a 39 c was sold less than 12 months ago for not much more than $100,000, Hop on go sailing realize your dream don’t become just another statistic