snowleopard
Well-Known Member
How long did it take you? Was it worth it? Did you get the 'ideal' boat? Would you do it again? Tips for others who might be tempted?
Anyone else built their own boat?
- Thread starter snowleopard
- Start date
Romeo
Well-Known Member
No, but I have been part of a community build of three St Ayles skiffs. Very satisfying building something with your friends. About 4 to 6 months for each boat, working 3 evenings a week. The boats have been very well used by the community since.
More information at www.scottishcoastalrowing.org (although the St Ayles is world wide now, not just Scotland!)
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C08
Well-Known Member
I always fancied building a boat until I realized the thousands of hours just to fit out a hull never mind the hull construction as well. I am sure it is very satisfying but I could not divert 4/6 years sailing to build my dream catamaran, apart from the problem of funding it!
It is obviously more a practical proposition if you live near boatyards or sea access etc.
It is obviously more a practical proposition if you live near boatyards or sea access etc.
roblpm
Well-Known Member
My father built an eventide in our garden when i was a kid. Seven years for the hull I think! Missed his son growing up!
Then moved to Littlehampton to fit out and tragically burned when the boatshed it was parked next to had a fire.
My Father never recovered! Bought another Eventide but wasn't the same.
So my observations. He liked building boats, wasn't that interested in sailing.
If you have any dependents think about the impact on them.
If you want to sail it is not the thing to do. My dad could have been taking me sailing rather than hiding in his boat!!
Then moved to Littlehampton to fit out and tragically burned when the boatshed it was parked next to had a fire.
My Father never recovered! Bought another Eventide but wasn't the same.
So my observations. He liked building boats, wasn't that interested in sailing.
If you have any dependents think about the impact on them.
If you want to sail it is not the thing to do. My dad could have been taking me sailing rather than hiding in his boat!!
dunedin
Well-Known Member
For some people their hobby is doing projects - and why not.
For others our hobby is sailing.
Generally we only get enough time for one or the other, not both.
For others our hobby is sailing.
Generally we only get enough time for one or the other, not both.
Bobc
Well-Known Member
A mate of mine built a steel Van De Stadt 34. Took him 14 years, but worth it.
https://www.facebook.com/Falcon-of-Gosport-607490309353519/?fref=ts
I'm the one on the steering stick in the video of us sailing downwind through Hurst in 25kts.
https://www.facebook.com/Falcon-of-Gosport-607490309353519/?fref=ts
I'm the one on the steering stick in the video of us sailing downwind through Hurst in 25kts.
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D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Part built a Wharram Tangaroa Mk IV catamaran. Sold it on as a project as it was taking too much time. A bloke finished it and sails it out of Denmark now. Too much work, too much money, it was supposed to be about getting on the water at low cost. I then spent the proceeds from the sale on chartering.
davidej
Well-Known Member
Does an A-class Unicorn catamaran count.
In the garage then lounge (when it got colder) of our first house.
better than the car engine in the bathroom of our previous flat?
In the garage then lounge (when it got colder) of our first house.
better than the car engine in the bathroom of our previous flat?
Georgio
Well-Known Member
I built a couple of sailing dinghies, one at around 9' the other around 15'. In both cases and enjoyable experience an I ended up with the boat I wanted and continue to sail now.
Would I do it again, yes, assuming I had the time.
Would I build a cruiser - probably not. Having experienced how long it took to finish the dinghies it would eat into the sailing time too much.
Would I do it again, yes, assuming I had the time.
Would I build a cruiser - probably not. Having experienced how long it took to finish the dinghies it would eat into the sailing time too much.
Triassic
Well-Known Member
I guess it rather depends on what you want to build, and why you want to build it. If, as others have said, the objective is the actual building rather than the end product then it can be a worthwhile and rewarding experience. If however you are actually after the boat then the only sensible reason for building it yourself is because what you are after simply isn't available elsewhere. Some will argue that is is more economical to build yourself, and that may be right if we are talking about something really small, but not so with larger vessels given modern construction techniques now being used commercially and the value of used boats. I grew up around the boat building business and having seen first hand some of the DIY projects my father has been called in to try and rescue you have to be very sure of what you are taking on before starting....
NormanS
Well-Known Member
I've built a few. Plywood dinghies, a strip planked Folkboat, a major rebuild/converstion of a large fishing boat, and a steel Alan Pape 33ft. Circumstances, and a reasonable offer, meant that I didn't complete the fitting out of the steel one, but I don't regret the time spent, and the knowledge gained on all these projects.
I spent more than three years building the Folkboat, and as a poorly paid apprentice, it was entirely financed by stopping smoking. At that time, 20 Players cost 4/6d, so I couldn't have afforded to have done it any quicker. She allowed me to achieve my ambition to explore the West Coast, and I've been doing it ever since, in a variety of boats, and I've never smoked since.
Building your own boat is very challenging, but gives a fantastic sense of achievement. Remember that building the hull is only about one quarter of the expense of the finished item.
I spent more than three years building the Folkboat, and as a poorly paid apprentice, it was entirely financed by stopping smoking. At that time, 20 Players cost 4/6d, so I couldn't have afforded to have done it any quicker. She allowed me to achieve my ambition to explore the West Coast, and I've been doing it ever since, in a variety of boats, and I've never smoked since.
Building your own boat is very challenging, but gives a fantastic sense of achievement. Remember that building the hull is only about one quarter of the expense of the finished item.
Minchsailor
Well-Known Member
When younger I built a tender out of 2 pieces of 4 x 8ft ply and some other bits of wood (frames, stringers, transoms, keel). Bit like a Mirror dinghy. I have an idea it was YM design. Worked out really well, but I am now not too sure of what my dad thought of me commandeering the family garage for 3-4 months during the winter.....
Concerto
Well-Known Member
My parents fitted out a Northerny 34 hull and deck in the late 1960's. This took about 18 months.
Later we built two Starlight 30's in fibreglass from plans. This was before the production version was made. The boat for my parents was a racing version with an open well cockpit, lead keel and stripped out interior. The other one was for my brother's parents in law and was a cruising version with a full interior, proper cockpit and iron keel. Both hulls were made over a male mould using C-flex planks (12" wide planks of fibreglass rods and strands between two woven sheets). This was covered with several layers of chopped strand mat and faired ready for painting. The hull was then turned over and reinforced with increasing layers of chop strand mat towards the keel, plus adding stringers, keel rib and bulkheads. Then a plywood deck was added and glass sheathed. Both hulls were taken to this point before concentrating on completing the racing version. The racing version took 9 months till she hit the water. The second took 18 months before launching. The team to do this was usually 5 people at weekends and several most days of the week. I was in charge of all the purchasing, which was a major task using catalogues and opening trade accounts. Was it all worth it? We built 2 excellent yachts that were incredibly strong and overweight, but financially it did not work out any cheaper than buying a factory built yacht and time wise it was very impacting on life in general. Would I ever consider doing it again? Never.
But I do like working on boats and am currently renovating a Westerly Fulmar. Check out my profile for a link to a the photos, but begin on the last page to see how she looked when I bought her.
Later we built two Starlight 30's in fibreglass from plans. This was before the production version was made. The boat for my parents was a racing version with an open well cockpit, lead keel and stripped out interior. The other one was for my brother's parents in law and was a cruising version with a full interior, proper cockpit and iron keel. Both hulls were made over a male mould using C-flex planks (12" wide planks of fibreglass rods and strands between two woven sheets). This was covered with several layers of chopped strand mat and faired ready for painting. The hull was then turned over and reinforced with increasing layers of chop strand mat towards the keel, plus adding stringers, keel rib and bulkheads. Then a plywood deck was added and glass sheathed. Both hulls were taken to this point before concentrating on completing the racing version. The racing version took 9 months till she hit the water. The second took 18 months before launching. The team to do this was usually 5 people at weekends and several most days of the week. I was in charge of all the purchasing, which was a major task using catalogues and opening trade accounts. Was it all worth it? We built 2 excellent yachts that were incredibly strong and overweight, but financially it did not work out any cheaper than buying a factory built yacht and time wise it was very impacting on life in general. Would I ever consider doing it again? Never.
But I do like working on boats and am currently renovating a Westerly Fulmar. Check out my profile for a link to a the photos, but begin on the last page to see how she looked when I bought her.
Scillypete
Well-Known Member
opposite answer for me as I bought a partially built Wharram Pahi 31, finished the build and fitted out and rigged it all the way I wanted. Didn't take too long to complete and all in all was an absolute bargain (one persons dream to build and sail away ended when he developed a bad allergy to the epoxy and made it possible for me) but don't think I could have built from scratch. We kept it for seven years while the kids were growing and had plenty of use and adventures with it, in the end it was a sad day when we sold her but it was time to move on to something else. I don't think I would do it again, but never say never.
I would certainly advise any would be builder to go looking for a partially complete project before considering starting from scratch.
nortonmotors
Well-Known Member
Between 1997 and '99, I built this from a bare hull moulding.
Working three-day weekends, I got a boat to suit what I wanted to do (cruise the East Coast in comfort) with a large nav area, large galley, a cosy main cabin, and a deck layout for single-handing. Total parts/materials cost was around £35k and I can honestly say I know everything about the boat and what she is (and isn't) capable of.
If I still had that energy, then I'd do it again - but the result would probably be the same.
Tips? Do it as close to home as you can, plan in detail before you start, have a realistic time scale - and keep to it.
Another self-builder started his identical Spray project at the same time as me, worked on it 'as-and-when' and now will never finish it as old age has caught up with him. In the same period, I had two years of hard work and fifteen years of sailing my own boat.
Smug? Me?
Working three-day weekends, I got a boat to suit what I wanted to do (cruise the East Coast in comfort) with a large nav area, large galley, a cosy main cabin, and a deck layout for single-handing. Total parts/materials cost was around £35k and I can honestly say I know everything about the boat and what she is (and isn't) capable of.
If I still had that energy, then I'd do it again - but the result would probably be the same.
Tips? Do it as close to home as you can, plan in detail before you start, have a realistic time scale - and keep to it.
Another self-builder started his identical Spray project at the same time as me, worked on it 'as-and-when' and now will never finish it as old age has caught up with him. In the same period, I had two years of hard work and fifteen years of sailing my own boat.
Smug? Me?
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
It was sailing a Pahi 31' that introduced me to Wharrams, the owner of the Pahi 31 then went onto build the bigger 42', Captain Cook which I watched him build. He was a Wood Working teacher and built it in about 5 years and then he sailed off.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
I've seen quite a few self-builds, being based at two DIY yards, Andrew's on Thorney (now Thornham Marina) and now Fosse Quay at Millbrook. I built my first, a 39 ft tri in 20 months while in a full-time job. A friend was so impressed with the construction method (foam sandwich) he decided to take over my space and build a 30 ft mono. After 25 years he gave up through old age. I met one guy who had been building a 50 footer for 25 years, with the odd break to travel, get married etc. He finally finished - to an incredibly high standard and launched, planning a long-distance cruise, only to have a carelessly-handled mobo ram him in the marina leaving a year's worth of repairs.
I've seen real craftsmen - hats off to anyone who builds in wood - and I've seen bodgers. And I've seen total disasters like the ferro shell that must have been plastered by throwing lumps of mortar at it and the prize: a professional laminator building a GRP Wharram over a male mould who, having seen my foam sandwich, decided he was going to leave the mould in situ and glass it in. I pleaded with him to reconsider his 'hardboard sandwich' but he assured me he would laminate up to the waterline inside and paint the rest of the interior thereby protecting his hardboard from moisture. Nothing I said would shake his belief.
I've seen real craftsmen - hats off to anyone who builds in wood - and I've seen bodgers. And I've seen total disasters like the ferro shell that must have been plastered by throwing lumps of mortar at it and the prize: a professional laminator building a GRP Wharram over a male mould who, having seen my foam sandwich, decided he was going to leave the mould in situ and glass it in. I pleaded with him to reconsider his 'hardboard sandwich' but he assured me he would laminate up to the waterline inside and paint the rest of the interior thereby protecting his hardboard from moisture. Nothing I said would shake his belief.
Dave-Shafa
N/A
1980's built Two Mirror dinghys for a chap. The second one was better.
PetiteFleur
Well-Known Member
Back in the late 60's, myself and 5 others built a Wharram 46' ORO, with the idea of sailing around the world - inspired by James Wharram himself. We built the boat in 9 months working weekends and evenings and then transported to the East coast. Lived on it for about 18months then the group broke up and the boat was sold - last heard of in Whitby a few years later.
Then marriage, kids etc got in the way until I built a 7'6" clinker pram dinghy, an early PBO design?
Then marriage, kids etc got in the way until I built a 7'6" clinker pram dinghy, an early PBO design?
Neeves
Well-Known Member
I had ambitions. Looked at Schionnings and Fusion. But, to test the temperature, I built a covered helm position for our 38' cat from 15mm foam and glass. I rapidly discovered that boat building is quick and easy - its the continual need to sand and fair, repetitively, in order to achieve a decent finish that takes the time . I refocussed my ambitions and have no desire now to build - I'd rather sail.
Jonathan
Jonathan
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