Good to witness your boat build?

[rwoofer]

Prompted by a point raised in MoodyNick's rebuild thread, I was wondering what other peoples experiences of witnessing their boat in build was like.

For all the advantages of witnessing your boat being built, I personally felt it lessened the enjoyment of the boat at handover and the first 6 months. Why? Because you become a perfectionist during the build and want everything just right. All those small things you might never notice in your entire ownership suddenly become front of mind and gnaw at you. The reality is that unless you're paying absolutely top price for the best quality build there are always going to be compromises in the build.

Anyone else feel similarly?

 

[Sailfree]

Prompted by a point raised in MoodyNick's rebuild thread, I was wondering what other peoples experiences of witnessing their boat in build was like.


Anyone else feel similarly?

I was glad I witnessed mine as I found UK distributor had deleted bowthruster and heater from order to get bob the builder to do a cheap job. I had all the UK quality prices ready and specifications. Still took them 2 yrs to fix bowthruster leak and by then I insisted they paid for it at Osmatec (quality work!).

 

[sarabande]

as one of the forum gongoozlers of jfm's epic story of Match's build, I can say that watching someone else's boat being built is preferable.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

We spent a lot of time watching our Rustler 44 being built at the Rustler Yachts factory in Falmouth.

You do have a point, but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Sailors have to be fairly self sufficient on cruising boats and the more you know about the construction and where, if any, compromises have been made the better.

The most useful thing we have is a thousand or so photographs of the construction process and virtually every significant component being installed. When components fail, which they do, even on new boats, it is so useful to know where pipes run, where connections are made, what is behind what etc. Good drawings help, but we have found the pictures invaluable.

Perhaps the argument is less strong for straight production built boats where it doesn't matter what you say the builder has a way of doing things. On a semi customised boat like ours a major part of the fun in the build process was sitting on the boat and taking to the guys who were actually constructing it. We made loads of little design and owner modifications that way. Not necessarily big things, but ones that really make the boat your own.

 

[rwoofer]

as one of the forum gongoozlers of jfm's epic story of Match's build, I can say that watching someone else's boat being built is preferable.

I'm amazed how straightforward JFM was with his build. Given he has ordered another one to get it just right, I wonder if that was because he was so involved, wanted perfection and didn't quite get it???

It's a bit like those grand design projects where people invest so much of their heart and soul into their house it does seem to lessen the enjoyment in the end...

 

[wotayottie]

Anyone else feel similarly?

Never been able to afford a new boat.

 

[SolentBoat]

The closest I came to seeing mine in build was seeing photographs of the hi tech Polish factory before I placed my order.

I'm of the "don't spoil the magic" view. I know there must be some duff bits (that said, after 5 years of ownership, I have found any) but after a my manky old boat owning past, I really didn't want to know.

I just told the UK dealer what I wanted and didn't see the boat until she was ready for launch.

 

[RupertW]

Never been able to afford a new boat.

Even if I could I would hate the disappointment and the fact I couldn't have the boot within a week or two of deciding on it.

I much prefer to poke around an existing boat and start planning my renovations, and what I will just live with. I also couldn't bear the first scratch or scrape.

 

[The Third Man]

My wife and I really enjoyed our weekly visits to the boat builders to see our new boat take shape.

As a bonus it enabled us to see what new developments were available. And the day we first saw her with her name on the bow and stern was magic.

 

[Habebty]

Saw my 290 being built, but being 300 odd miles away meant only 3 or 4 visits. I would recommend it if you can so you can see what's behind all the joinery and take pics. Good to discuss options too.
Meeting the blokes building the boat makes it a whole lot more personal as well I think.

SWIMBO and I wrote our names on the inside of the hull before all the joinery went in

 

[mcframe]

SWIMBO and I wrote our names on the inside of the hull before all the joinery went in

I loved the tale of the QE2s final visit to Greenock (2004?) - apparently an old local couple were on the tour and the bloke asked to go somewhere deep in the bowels of the ship.

He then pointed out the "Davie Loves Jean: July 1966" he'd marked on the corner of one of the lower bulkheads saying "See, hen, I telt you a had done it, but you didn't believe me!" ;-)