1st Self built catamaran (hopefully)

[Katman]

Hi everyone

It's always been my dream to build my own boat and live on it. So i've decided to do it. I have no experience and i've only just begun to learn to sail.

I figure that if i can build it - i'll know how to fix it when it breaks!! And i'll get the size boat i want for a fraction of the price.

I have a budget of about £40 to £50k- i intend to build a 34 foot catamaran ( prout designed) there are well over my budget new (approx £150,000) do you think it's worth building it or should i just buy a old boat? I have made several enquiries and conflicting views seems to be the dish of the day. Some say it would cost twice my budget others say it's more than enough to build and kit it out.
Would i be able to sell it afterwards - or would it be worth significantly less because it was a self build?

Anyone out who can help! i would appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

Thank you

 

[ccscott49]

Do you intend to mould it yourself?

 

[tcm]

Seems that you are flexible about building/not building ...but not flexible about the living on it. So i wd buy an old one, and gradually fix it up whilst living on it.

I wd be wary about spending a whole hep of loot on self-build. It most certainkly will be worth less than factory-built. It will also look a bit self-built unless you have plenty of v decent woodworking machinery.

 

[Katman]

I intend to do everything up to rigging - in which case i have friends who can do it for me and they can also build the mast etc.

 

[ccscott49]

If you are going to try and make the moulds for this boat, then you're budget is very, very low! But if you intemnd to make it out of ply, then I hope your a very good shipwright. Good luck, don't let me put you off.

 

[Katman]

Thanks for the advice.

I do have access to a full workshop and have much experience with glassing and building moulds etc. I was also hoping to do a course/workshop with a multihull manufacturer in NZ ( i have family there so it would be cheap)

Do you think self built significantly affects the resale value? compared to a renovated boat of same value.

 

[Guest]

Many people DO self build sucessfully,

BUT........

..the plethora of projects for sale that "just need fitting out", or are "three months from completion", would suggest that a fair few people run out of time / money / patience, or just underestimate the skills required to actually build a boat succesfully.

Before making the substantial commitment to DIY, why not have a look at some of the projects for sale by others. You'll probably find a half built job for sale at less than the cost of materials. At the very least you'll discover the pitfalls, and hopefully avoid ending up in the same situation.

Alternativly, buying a knackerd factory built job, and doing it up is a challenge in itself and you'll certainly know your boat by the time you've fininshed. Perhaps more than you'd like

Whatever you do, best of luck

Jim

 

[summerwind]

I would be inclined to see if you can find a semi-completed project. But I would say that because that is what I did.

If you are goint to go down that route, take a long time looking around and a long time thinking over the project that you are buying. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting for your money.

 

[Katman]

I would like to make it out of fibre glass.
When making moulds, is it v expensive ? i've made moulds for toy cars ( for family) and it was the most time consuming but cheapest part.

You ideas are gratefully recieved

 

[Katman]

Thanks Jim

The only reservation i have is that i don't know enough about the construction techniques to know whether they'd done a good job or not. Would it be problematic to have in 'process build' surveyed?

 

[ccscott49]

Very time consuming and expensive, after all, you are building a boat, (the plug) to make a mould, to make another boat. Thats why volume manufacturers build that way, they offset the cost of the mould over many boats. One off builders dont do it that way, they build in steel, qaluminium, wood or wood strip epoxy, which might be the best idea for you, if you are experienced with the use of epoxy. It's not easy, by any means, especially a catamaran, where you will hjave to make moulds for the hulls and the deck/superstructure. As I've said I don't want to pour cold water on your dream, but it needs a lot more research on your part. I hope this helps you, best of luck, I'm signing off now and won't be back for three weeks, going cruising! Bye!

 

[Guest]

I think most surveyors would be happy to help you out. You may spend a fair bit on fees, but it's better than spending a lot on a bad job.

They'd probably be able to advise on the best way to go about finishing the job as well, if you did buy into such a project.

Are you set on a cat? Most projects seem to be mono's

Jim

 

[Trevethan]

I'd find a factory built boat and refit the thing. That's the route I chose. And even by taking this easy way, I still have problems from time to time (which these fora are great at sorting out)

Building from scratch is a very tough proposition. If you are keen to try then maybe start on a dinghy.

You can build me a little sailing tender if you like.. for less than £80... *grin*

If I were you I'd have a go at doing a couple of smallish stitch and glue affairs.

I don't think fibreglass is the right choice for the homebuilder.

Have you looked at Wharram cats?.. nice looking things often built by amateurs, presumeably stich and glue. They are of the polynesian design, but some seem to habve hade bridge deck fitted.

Good luck!

Regards,

Nick

 

[Katman]

Many thanks for the advice. It seems to be what most would do.
I had thought i'd build a scaled down model out of actual materials so i'd be able to get a feel for it. do you think this would be of any use?

 

[Katman]

i've been to most of the major manufacturers ( and even taken chartered holidays abroad). I've also spoken to several small independant boat builders.
I prefer the layout of the cats simply because you get more space on deck and below (compared to a similar sized monohull)

Also there seems to be a great deal of debate on the quality of a lot of production boats. The general message is that modern cost efficient production methods tend to produce poorer quality vessels. This was one of the reasons that i decided to try and do it myself. I had a conversation with a chap from canada and he purchased a new yacht direct from the yard, the hull cracked during a mild storm whilst anchored. the boat was later sold and he built his own for a third of the cost to buy it new. When he had his boat surveyed it was worth more than it cost to build not including the cost of his own labour. He subsequently built 3 more boats.

Whether this story is true or not is'nt clear.

 

[steveh]

Try this link http://www.ybw.com/ybw/class/boats.htm
If you do a search for 'catamaran' you will find an unfinished project for sale. You may well find the older boats are heavier built. We done a similar thing to a late 70's Heavenly Twin catamaran and found it to be very well made. Best of luck!

 

[Katman]

Thanks for your help steven.

V Useful - do you think that older boats tend to be of higher quality? Many people have remarked - newer production boats may not be as strong/long lasting or durable enough to use regularly.

 

[Gunfleet]

not as a boat, no, but you know, if you added it to the kids' cars you've already moulded, you could be on your way to starting a model village. Some people like model villages.
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by JohnM on 12/09/2002 23:31 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[tcm]

Re: Self build and resale

There a large number who won't buy any car/boat except a new one. There's a much larger number who'll buy a second hand car/boat - but not a self-build. They'd run a mile, and so would I. Sure, there's a market - but only when your is priced far below all the others. It's not like a self-build house. It will be cheaper to build your own - but only whilst you own it , not if you ever sell it - then the lower sales price will eat up some or all or more than the savings. IMHO.

 

[chippie]

Have a look at Kelsall Catamarans www.kelsall.com They run workshops for owner builders here and in other places where there is a demand.

Here in NZ, Catamarans NZ are offering hull and deck packages for NZ $295 000 for a 13.6 m sailing cat which is some indication of the money involved.(a lot).

How modern is the prout design you are considering? In the pictures I have seen they look quite dated.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Good luck