building a tahitiana 32

[rkane]

my husband and I are seriously considering building a 32'tahitiana at the moment. We'd have the hull constructed for us and have got a price for that, but at the moment everyone we speak to is trying to put us off doing it with horrific stories of costs etc. We're both aware of how much work will be involved - we've built our own home and have restored a 24' yacht, but does anyone have a rough idea of how much we should be allowing to fit out a solid, practical sea-boat (as opposed to one with every luxury available on it)? we were thinkking in terms of £20,000, possibly buying recon. engine / cabin heater etc. but would allow £10,000 extra in our budget. Is this completely unrealistic? Does anyone have any encouragement for us? I think we'll have a go at doing it anyway, but a few postive words from someone with experienec would be great!!

[poul]

A rule of thumb says that the materials for a steel hull and deck (steel, paint, welding rods ect) are approx. 10 % of the total cost. Dont know if that helps

[gonzo]

Are you including the price of the rigging and deck hardware in that figure? How about insulation, wiring, plumbing, etc. As a marine surveyor and shipwright , I give my customers written estimates. The easiest and most accurate way of doing this, is by breaking down the jobs to the simplest possible form. For example, instead of saying: boat interior, divide it in:
bulkheads
materials: plywood, fasteners, paint, etc
labor: x hours
wiring
12 AWG wire x feet
connection boxes
terminal buss bars
breaker panels
and so on until you are sure everything is included. Then add 10% for unexpected items. Take your time and it will be more realistic. It is easy to forget important things. At least you have experience with a house and another boat to estimate labor.
Most important, we don't have and build boats because we are sane. In other words, the common sense advise may never bring your dreams to happen.

Are you in the UK you can come and have a look at my Tahitiana if you want to get some idears captcliveusuk@yahoo.com

contact me at, all one word, thecicada@qwest.net. I have info on the real costs of today in the US as we bought 50% of our gear for the one we are building. Westy Farmer was a personal friend of mine and I would love to hear from you.

If you check my Photo album at www.ImageEvent.com/dragonfire you will see at what stage I am, in building a Tahitiana 32'. So far at this stage with all steel that I need for plating, 9 each of 5X10 ,3/16mild steel I am at $1300 USD. Now I did have to cut my frames out of scrap and do alot of welding, but the cost stayed down. I am trading welding hours on the plating with a welding instructor of the college, for a old tractor I have. THis way we are both happy.

[Dragonfire]

There is a group in Yahoo "Tahitiana " join us if you want.

[Mike H]

Go for it. Cost is totaly dependant on spec but a sensible brit spec is achivable on a thirty footer for £30K good luck

New posts and photos on tahitiana@yahoogroups.com

My father passed died a cople of monts ago. My mother, brother and I decided to hang om to her. Dad built her over 14!! years with little money, ( about 14,000 pounds when it hit the water!). It has many oddities. As an agricutlural engineer he used what he was used to. The bracing beam in th cabin below the mast was from a beech tree he was asked to fell, the timber lay in the back yard for years 'till he found a use for it! The engine is a marrinised perkins 48 hp tractor engine!

I guess I am saying, there are no rules or limitations, but your patience or budget.

i will be getting her wet for the first ime this year on the 16th Sept '03 I am an experienced sailor but need advice on engine and electrical management. Please help.

Yours

Gavin.

My father died a couple of months ago. My mother, brother and I decided to hang on to dads Tahitiana. Dad built her over 14!! years with little money, ( about 14,000 pounds when it hit the water!). It has many oddities. As an agricultural engineer he used what he was used to. The bracing beam in the cabin below the mast was from a beech tree he was asked to fell, the timber lay in the back yard for years 'till he found a use for it! The engine is a marinised perkins 48 hp tractor engine!

I guess I am saying, there are no rules or limitations, but your patience or budget.

I will be getting her wet for the first time this year on the 16th Sept '03 I am an experienced sailor but need advice on engine and electrical management. Please help.

Yours

Gavin.

well at least you picked a good boat to build , a friend of mine in Aust ralia has one and shes a pleasure to sail on , I've bought the steel for mine and I'm using an old farm water pump for a motor , lister of course , with hyd drive to the prop , if anmyone has a set of plans they no longer need , please let me know .
all the best ,Tony

Hi

I liked all your photo's ,,, you are doing a good job ,,, just a question or 2 ,,,, why did you build it right way up not upside down as most seet boats seem to be done ???????? I plan on building one for myself this year some time ,,, bit easier for me though being a boilermaker and have helped some others build steel boats before ..
well I wont keep you ,,,, keep up the good work you should be proud of yourself,,,,,,Bob ,,,Brisbane Australia

[joe_evans]

I imagine that the pleasure of building your own boat must be a big part of the motivation for you; however, if you just really want a tahitiana, I do have one for sale... It's at weir quay boat yard, on the tamar. Contact the yard (mike@weir-quay.com) if you're interested; they're selling it for me. I love the boat, but my girlfriend is pregnant and my plan of living aboard has been altered accordingly! You can email me (joeevans@another.com) if you've got any questions. It's a fantastic boat.