Any steel boat builders on East Coast, USA?

[Finlander]

Hi forum,

been enjoying the discussions here and wishing I were floating full-time like some of you :-) I've sailed at various times throughout my life, and I'm determined to get back into the lifestyle. For now, I've done some preliminary conceptualizing and design work using the Roberts Spray 'study plans' that I bought. Now I need to go onward to the estimating phase.

I've done joinery work on sailboats, and I've also built several houses. So I know what big projects are all about. Having this experience convinces me that I'd neither have enough endurance, nor sufficient time, for the herculean task of building the hull. 20-years-ago, maybe. But not anymore. Therefore, I'm going to contract that part out.

So I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could point me to a competent STEEL boat builder on the East Coast of the United States. Preferably, he should be located somewhere between Baltimore and New York.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Finlander

Hi forum, So I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone could point me to a competent STEEL boat builder on the East Coast of the United States. Preferably, he should be located somewhere between Baltimore and New York.

My suggestion is this: ask your designer. I say this because most people only have limited experience with one, maybe two, boat builders. On the other hand, a designer (espically a well know designer who has been around like Dudley Dix) has a much better chance of giving you good builder.

[Celestialsailor]

I have built 3 steel boats. 2 of my own. It has been a while. I know this because all the scares on my arms are white now. I know you are enthusiastic about the dream of having a boat built, but it might be more than you are ready for money wise. In my honest opinion, a Spray would take 2000 hours just to get it to the bare hull stage. Then you only have 20% of a boat. So your idea of not doing it yourself is a good one.
I would suggest that there are many designs far far superior than a spray. I have sailed on one. Performance was bleak to down right dangerous at times. I have seen 1/2 finished projects on e-bay that might suit your needs. 15 years ago a friend bought a Roberts 43 that was built by a bridge engineer. It craftsmanship was amazing. He had worked on it for 10 years and was diagnosed with emphysema. It was complete except for spars...$35,000. It resides in Mexico now.

[Finlander]

Originally Posted by Maren

On the other hand, a designer (espically a well know designer who has been around like Dudley Dix) has a much better chance of giving you good builder.

Thanks. I enjoy looking at Dudley Dix' plans. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a stock design that I'm interested in right now. I wish he did.

Originally Posted by Maren

I would suggest that there are many designs far far superior than a spray. I have sailed on one. Performance was bleak to down right dangerous at times.

Yeah, I'm interested in seeing alternatives. But so far, after years of searching, I haven't found anything that suits me better. Modern designs don't excite me. At a short length of <36', I want as much volume and beaminess as possible, and it should be carried throughout the vessel's length. I have a background in motorsailers, so I'm very familiar with the concept. I'll never go to a racer/cruiser again!

Here's a nice example of the Spray 36; it's pretty close to what I want. However, my drawings are based on the Gulf 32, with the exception of having a large double berth under a (raised) cockpit. I'd start by building the interior joinery, deck fittings and rigging--all things that I can do quickly, with good precision as an experienced woodworker with some amateur welding background--and then fitting everything into/onto a professionally built hull. That's my way of optimizing.

I've seen many guys start by building the hull themselves, and then they lose motivation. Or they get diagnosed with some illness, like you said! I want to avoid that trap. At most, I'd weld the frames and prefabricate the pilothouse structure. But even that would be far more than I'd want to do.

I sincerely appreciate the replies and discussion. But still holding out for names of steel boat yards on the East Coast, USA. And yes, I'll ask the designer, too.

[Morgan3820]

Custom Steel Boats, www.customsteelboats.com, in merritt, nc. Have been building steel boats fo about 20 years. I live nearby. Please let me know if I can help.

Morgan3820
jag1999@embarqmail.com

[Finlander]

Morgan3820, that website seemed to be offline yesterday. Now I see it. Very nice information on there. Thanks!

[beiland]

Is that all of the steel builders that anyone could come up with??

[JPA Cate]

Being off the east coast rules some out.

[hpeer]

The first thing is to go to METALBOATSOCIETY.Org

Welcome to the Metal Boat Society

You will end up there some day, might as well start early.

Then I would take a look at a Wylo.


Wylo 35.5 background

Maybe they will sell you a bare hull.

But also, depending upon your budget, look a existing boats.

Here is one that would sorely tempt me. But I've got one already.

1984 Murray Custom Built Steel Cutter Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[hpeer]

Look up

Howdy Bailey Yacht Services.

Maybe also Kanter, but I think they are Canadian.

[hpeer]

I went to METALBOATSOCIETY and the only east coast builder I found was

Brian Smyth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada
+1-902-463-0741
Email to Brian

[CarlF]

Since you like it, I'd go try to find that Spray 36 from 2005. There's a better than even chance that it's on the hard with a discouraged owner.

Think of it as a hull with benefits.

[hpeer]

Ah ha! They DO sell the Wylo as a bare hull.

This boat seems to fit your description to a T.

With her raised deck she has a lot of interior space for her size.

The Wylo 35.5 is available in several stages of completion from a bare hull and deck up to a complete boat ready to sail.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Look up

Howdy Bailey Yacht Services.

They are no longer building new boats.

We just spent some time with his son, who is an excellent metal boat surveyor.

[hpeer]

Ok and thanks.

That leaves a pretty thin field.