This is how much sailing yachts cost.

[Eric Sponberg]

Both graphs have been corrected in this post, thanks very much to the watchfull eyes of the readers, thank you. Here they are again, together.

Eric

[PFalcon]

http://www.sponbergyachtdesign.com/Adventure.htm

A VERY detailed, insightful, informative read! I recommend it to anyone!
It was not too long to enjoy on the laptop. I loved it and your designs!

The prototype home you designed at Flagler Floating Homes, is a very clean and complete design. What a great view to the ICW.

[Eric Sponberg]

PFalcon,

Thank you for the compliments, glad you enjoyed the Adventure article.

The Flagler Floating Homes on the website are the first two prototypes, and I am in the middle of the first custom home that will be the next one built. Now that we have the construction process down, we can look a variations in architectural design to inject some variety into the concept.

The floating homes cost a lot less than a typical yacht of the same length, plus they have a lot more room to boot! The reason is because the construction is basically square, very simple design, typical household construction and finish (although the house is anchored to the barge with steel tie rods), and no installed power. I don't think we're going to have too much trouble selling them--a home on the water for less money than a yacht, and for less than just an empty lots costs on the waterway.

Thanks again,

Eric

[Saf]

Eric,

For how many years have you been a naval archi?

[Eric Sponberg]

Since December 1971 when I graduated from the University of Michigan in Naval Architecture--35 years! I have been operating Sponberg Yacht Design since August, 1978, 28 years.

Eric

[MikeJohns]

Ah, Eric you look so young, I took you for a whippersnapper I'm sorry to say !
Happy that you are an irrascible old greybeard too

On the subject of boat pricing
Dick Koopmans website ( http://www.dickkoopmans.nl ) has the attached cost breakdown . The red line is the total amount, each addition is incremental to the trend line below it.

On Dick's graph the internal fitout makes all the remaining costs look exponential but looking closely they are increasing close to a linear relationship to length.

It concurrs with my experience that hull,motor, rig deck gear costs are almost linearly related to length while the time taken for interior fitout adds the exponential factor.

Cheers

[marshmat]

Very interesting, Mike.
Looking at these various data sets leads me to believe that luxury does tend to go up with length, at least in typical yachts. I'm really starting to like the big-and-simple thing: no teak, no foreign leather, just a good strong roomy boat without any of the $$$ luxury extras.

[Ari]

Originally Posted by marshmat

Very interesting, Mike.
Looking at these various data sets leads me to believe that luxury does tend to go up with length, at least in typical yachts. I'm really starting to like the big-and-simple thing: no teak, no foreign leather, just a good strong roomy boat without any of the $$$ luxury extras.

It depends..if your boat are build from teak timber..than teak will be everywhere on board.Once upon a time that same teak is not a luxury item, it's a need.Mine build from Chengal and Resak wood/timber.So those wood will be everywhere on board. Luxury item for me is to have all those special metal alloy, even marine grade alluminium is very expensive to me,carbon graphite, kevlar, very advance sail and mast material, USD15K stove,etc. A boat hull and cabins actually is not what caused the cost to shoot up, it is the material and equipment that we add in later to make life more easier and enjoyful or to show off to the others is what make the cost to shoot up. A cargo boat with basic cabin will cost about 60 % less than a same size pleasure yacht.

[Eric Sponberg]

Mike,

Thanks for the curves from Dick Koopman. His total seems to closely follow my blue trendline in the lower size range. The hull/deck and interior costs, both about 17% of total, closely follow what I typically figure in cost breakdown, which is generally around 20%.

Ari points out that there are variables all over the world, and it is sometimes hard to establish absolutes. This is why I always advise clients that they really have to know a foreign region, its people, and its resources pretty well before they go build a boat there.

Eric

[yipster]

Originally Posted by marshmat

I'm really starting to like the big-and-simple thing: no teak, no foreign leather, just a good strong roomy boat without any of the $$$ luxury extras.

the philosofie goes to some extend
f.e. think i wouldnt mind having a chesterfield sitee
but not a leather ( attracks mildew )
my new boat: practical AND comfy but WHEN

[CDBarry]

You may want to check cost vs. international gross tonnage. (Approxiamately cubic number.)

Manhours/compensated gross tonnage (compensated by ship type) is a standard measure of shipyard productivity.

[Eric Sponberg]

Gross tonnage is never published in listings of boats or their designs, so it is not a readily available number on which to rely.

[bertho]

interresting thread.. ( always moneymoney..)
boat go by cubic if i'm not wrong, double the LOA will increase the weight much more than double, you can do cost per kilo! like patatos ! expected than if you have a lot of room, you will fill the box with expensive stuff..
did you see the ratio on industrial production as beneteau.. cost for hull and deck 15% of the total cost of the finish product ! same as the commercial cost! ... many people look after the hull/deck and thing the ''remaining detail'' will never cost more than the hull !! expensive error!
rgds
bertho

[Ari]

Originally Posted by bertho

interresting thread.. ( always moneymoney..)
did you see the ratio on industrial production as beneteau.. cost for hull and deck 15% of the total cost of the finish product ! same as the commercial cost! ... many people look after the hull/deck and thing the ''remaining detail'' will never cost more than the hull !! expensive error!
rgds
bertho

You are right there..to own a boat is not really expensive..to own a luxurious boat..yes..it is expensive.Bottom line is..how much do you want to spend..!

[brian eiland]

Regrettably my internet service was down all day so I've not had a chance to read your new site addition yet Eric. I will make a copy now that service has returned and read it tomorrow.

Meantime I thought it might be applicable to look at the 'cost breakdown' of building a yacht. I've drawn up a rough outline of such a Boat Building Cost Chart, and would welcome all input as to recommended modifications and/or additions.

I think such a chart might be of assistance in determining the possible savings one might expect to see in a cheaper labor market, by dividing out the labor verses materials and equipments equations