Self build ??

[Guest]

I've often thought of building my own yacht based on one of the plans available. Don't think the 'diy' would be a problem for me but I'd like to hear of other peoples experiences of self build from plans. Also how do these boats sail? I'd hate to spend months building something that sails like a pig.

 

[tr7v8]

Have a hunt around on the web. Yahoo groups has a load of self build forums, such as duckworks and bolger. They both are world wide and pull no punches.

Jim
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[Jacket]

>I'd hate to spend months building something that sails like a pig.

Try years instead of months. I've just finished building a 14 foot dinghy, and it took about 3 months of work spread over a year. But it was great fun, so don't let the time commitment put you off.

 

[Guest]

I've built a Bruce Roberts 34. (Actually, father built it and I helped when I was in my teenage years. 20 years on and I've now been given the boat. It's taken the last 9 months to refit it but she went back in the water last weekend. Self build is very satisfying but I have learnt a lot from it. The next one would be so much better. Incidentally, are you thinking of buying the hull and superstructure? We did the whole thing. Including making the hull mould. Anthing else is just finishing somebody elses work.

 

[Strathglass]

Why? I have been fitting out a hull for several years. It is now virtually finished. I now have the yacht I always wanted, I know everything about it BUT In order to build it I had to give up sailing for several years. It has been quite a task but has not yet hit the water. I used to race four times a week but not now. It is very difficult to remain fixed on a task over a long period of time but it is possible. Life has to revolve around it.
Redundancy, business crashing, divorce and remarying including inheriting a stepfamily. But I am still building the boat. Perhaps I may be mad but life must go on.
Look very carefully at the logistics of achieving your ambition.
Iain

 

[PaulJ]

I don't know what kind of project you have in mind but you can bet your life it will turn out to be a much bigger project than you thought. I have had a 39ft steel hull built and have been fitting it out for nearly five years with about a year still to go...... I wouldn't say I bit off more than I could chew but it was certainly more than I wanted to chew. It hasn't saved that much money either, for the same money I could have bought a very nice and well equipped second hand boat of about the same size. I am not saying don't do it but do lots of homework first - try to find an example of what you want to build and talk to the guy who built it. The only good reason to do it is because you enjoy doing that kind of thing and want to do it for it's own sake..... you certainly won't save much money. Having said that, I have enjoyed building mine and I'm finding it very satisfying...... but I had rather hoped it would be in the water by now!

 

[dickh]

Yes, go for it, it is very satisfying to build your own boat. As suggested earlier speak to as many builders as you can, to gain their experience. It will keep you occupied for a long time, so you have to be committed. If you can, build it in your own backyard or at a site very close to home. otherwise you will spend a lot of time travelling etc. Make sure you have it under cover with power so you can work in inclement weather. Good Luck.

 

[mtb]

dont be daft !!

No offence intended but there are major implications involved .
Do you have the qualities to do it re skills time patience
have you got the balls to keep going when her indoors is screaming !!!
CASH its a nightmare never ending always costing more .
The place to do it , some where that's suitable neibour's wont stand for it !! the noise the sight of it will wind em right up ( if only because they want one but cant ) so again huge costs re storage and traveling.

As others have suggested buy a good second hand one use it TODAY not in ten years .
Pessimistic !! no just being realistic
Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v / cheap or swap for tug

 

[Robin2]

If you are thinking of building a wooden boat buy "The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction" which is published by the West System people. Chapter 2 includes a section "Should you build your own boat?". This sets out the issues bluntly.

I built my catamaran from plans by Richard Woods (www.sailingcatamarans.com) and I am very pleased with it.

I started construction on 1 November 1999 and launched on 8 September 2001 (my piccie was taken at the launch). I had originally estimated that it would be launched in January 2001 !. During the constrcution period I worked 4 evenings a week and Sat and Sunday - no SWMBO to report to!

At the time of launch there was virtually no interior work done - I am doing that gradually now.

 

[EASLOOP]

Go for it!
I have spent the last 8 years rebuilding my East Anglian Sloop, and I still have the inside to do. If I had known then what I know now I would have got the work done in a fraction of the time - but!
I too am seriously considering building my own boat, a good live-a-board (part time) size, say 42'. I am not sure what the best method is out of carvel, or strip plank. If anyone has any ideas on this perhaps you could share them with those of us who might be considering such an undertaking.

John