Building a Catamaran - Costs?

[Friday]

I'm interested in building a catamaran about 40 feet long. However, so far all the design plans I can find are in the $1000's, and I'm having a hard time stomaching the estimated final costs. I've been told that buying a used boat and fixing it up would be cheaper, and I'm definitely considering this as an option. However, I would still like to aquire some good plans as a guide, as I've never built a boat of this size before. Can anyone suggest some solid plans, or even a great book, that could help me build my dream boat without having to sell my house? Also, any suggestions of cheaper ways to produce this sized catamaran would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!
-Kate

[freeman]

I think your gonna have a very hard time building a 40 foot catamaran cheap, well, depending on your idea of cheap. The place i work for , we are in the process of building a 57 ft catamaran, deisel power, 2 engines, the drivetrain alone is well over $100,000 .Good luck.You may be better off finding a fixer upper.

[Eric Sponberg]

The book "The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction" gives very detailed instructions on how to build boats in wood epoxy, and in estimating construction hours and costs.

Most do-it-yourself builders will underestimate costs, almost by a factor of 10--when they think it will cost $10,000, it will really cost $100,000. Professionally built, a 40' boat will cost $300,000, give or take. You can same some on the cost of labor, but you will have to hire some labor to help you because you need more than two hands to do many things. You can also figure that the materials will run somewhere between 20% to 30% of the total cost, so for $300,000 total, your materials for the boat will be in the neighborhood of $60,000 to $90,000.

Costs for different sizes of boats will vary with the cube of the length, so based on the cost of $300,000 for a 40' boat, you can figure the cost for a 50' boat would be, roughly, $300,000 x 50^3/40^3 = $585,937.50. This again is professionally built, and if you know what you are doing, you might save some of that cost for your own labor. These number do NOT include the cost of the place to build the boat, which is another major factor.

I hope that gives some insight.

Eric

[donjames]

I'm in the design process as we speak for the same size Boat and am in the process of estimating a bill of materials for a balsa core / fiberglass / gel-coat finish This est,
is structure only and when I'm finished I could send you an e-mail with just that(Estimate) for what I have in mind .

also I have 2 two sets of study plans that I've spent several amount of bucks for Then come to change my mind... If your mind is for sure set, see if you can't find a set of study plans as close as possible to what you want it never hurts to educate yourself even though you don't use the design. The worst that could happen is that you might learn something, So the money I spent on my study plans was worth every dime, and I often chatch myself daydreaming through them, good luck
donjames

djvcwg@yahoo.com

I was in the same boat as you...till I came across www.kelsall.com. I am in the process of getting everything finalized to build a 37 foot cat. The cost??? Less than $100 000. I am not even doing everything myself. Hope this helps!

[RODNEY1234]

We Have A 42ft Tempest That Was In Process Of Building And Had To Stop Work. Can You Recommend Someone To Finish This Yacht.


We Also Have A 80ft Cat Mold And Like To Turn Into A House Boat. Can You Help On This Matter.

Rodney.
646-486-8004

[Eric Sponberg]

Rodney,

I am not familiar with the Tempest 42, and I don't know where it is located, but presumably it is in the US, somewhere on the east coast. Moving the boat is one primary concern, you want to move it the least amount of distance possible. Likewise, you would like to keep it relatively close to home so that inspecting it will be relatively easy and lower cost from the travel point of view. Since you are in New York, one place I would recommend would be New England Boat Works in Portsmouth, RI, Tel: 401-683-6110. Speak with either Dave McBain or Tom Rich.

Another builder might be Derecktor Shipyard in Mamaronek, NY. They do all yacht work and would certainly be capable. Unfortunately, I do not have a contact number or person there.

Another builder would be Eric Goetz Custom Sailboats in Bristol, RI. Tel. 401-253-2670. You can speak with Eric Goetz himself.

If the boat is elsewhere in the southern half of the coast, you may not want to move it north. Here in St. Augustine, St. Augustine Marine is quite capable. They are a yard specializing in new construction and refits. They can do fiberglass and metal construction to very good quality. There number is 904-824-4394. You can talk to Rick Barile, the general manager.

All of these builders are capable of handling the 80' mold as well. I hope that gives you some leads.

Eric

[fhrussell]

If you haven't found your project yet.........

You should look at James Wharram's designs <www.wharram.com>. They are usually very easy to build and inexpensive. If you prefer the "polynesian" look, instead of the modern plumb bow look, then this might be for you.
Also, there is a 1969 38' CSK catamaran at Gil's Catamaran in Costa Mesa, CA that is for sale and could use some finishing.
Frank

[fhrussell]

By the way, I have a 27' CSK in the process of restoration in Port Jefferson, NY if you want to see how they are put together.
Frank

[IronSailor]

I live in hauppauge, and I am looking to build or fix up a catamaran, any help you could offer would be appreciated. Thank alot.

[fhrussell]

Sure... would love to. Give me ring 631-886-1469. I have some plans of some CSK cats if interested.

[golddiver]

Hey Freeman,

You ought to think of going electric with the Solomon Technologies system. I ran the spreadsheet for the ST74 motors thru and the price comes out at a little over $60K. This also means you're not buying $3/gal. diesel and maintence as well. Not to mention it can regenerate to give you all your house power when you're sailing... Check it out:

http://www.solomontechnologies.com/F...preadsheet.xls

[nero]

Do you want a "boat" or a "yacht"?

Eric Sponberg , a top notch professional, is correct for a properly engineered yacht. (thanks for the excellent article on rudders)

Want a boat? lots cheaper. Look at a proa from Rob Denney. Decided on a cat? There is no book dedicated to the design and construction of these boats. (At least I've never found it.)

I am finding out that it takes a long time to build and design these boats. I am almost 6 months into the build of my design. It is strip planked, with glass sheathing. I didn't cut the tree or saw the logs up, but everything else I have done by myself. The photo in the thread" Removing hull from forms" is a few days old. What it doesn't show is the second set of bulkheads for the second hull that are done also. Working on the second daggerboard and the keel parts at present.

I start work at 7:00 stop for an hour an half at noon, and finish at 20:00. 7 days a week ... normally.

Still want to build? My wife just added up all the cost for supplies. (I am afraid to look at it) Probably around $12,000. This will build the two bare hulls. Guessing I have the boat structure without mast for $20,000. Probably $40,000 more for carbon and resin for mast, electric motors, lights etc. (not a solomon system. it's way too expensive)

Must add in. The barn is free. I have free access to a wood working shop for planning and sawing strips. Free use of a couple of tractors to help lift this pup out of it's cradle. If you can shop comparitively and source products then you will save lots of money over the name brand/everybody else uses items. But it will cost a lot of time. smile

[tschienque]

Basic boating costs run approximately

33% hull/deck construction
33% propulsion systems - sail - rig/sail - power = engines and ancillieries
33% outfitting

And of course another 100% for overruns

[tschienque]

Originally Posted by IronSailor

I live in hauppauge, and I am looking to build or fix up a catamaran, any help you could offer would be appreciated. Thank alot.

Check out Polynesian Catamaran Associations website www.pca-seapeople.org for contacts