dreaming-- how to prepare myself?

[Bernie Arnest]

Hi,
I'm young, but already starting to dream about building that 45 ft or even 85 ft yacht and sailing the family around the world.... ok, far-fetched. At least I'd like to start with a 20ft open runabout.

Anyway, it's easy enough to say that I want to build a boat, but hardly to do. I've been doing woodworking for only a couple years and am still building my shop. A boat will take woodworking for seats and fictures and the interior, but will take electronics to control the steering and maybe some navigational equipment, mechanics with the engine, rudder.. learning upholstery, fiberglassing. That would be for the runabout. Then any serious cruising boat to be built decades from today will add advanced electrical knowledge for hooking up the stove, fridge, etc in the galley, lots of lighting, and then knowledge of plumbing for the showers and toilets and sinks, and the carpentry expertise to build entire rooms and furnish them, not just fruit bowls, lol. So I have a long way to go. Where to begin, how to prepare?

I've read a little about steel or aluminum being quicker than plywood and fiberglass. Time is of the essence, I have 1 lifetime to learn everything and apply it, and then somewhere I have to squeeze in my career and future family. I read elsewhere on the forum of someone saying that a 27' boat with some provisions in the way of bunks and a tiny galley would take 2500+ hrs, that's a work year, so if I intend to build a much larger boat still at some point I can't wait till I'm 50 to start thinking about it, I should start working towards it now. I'm looking into adult education classes in welding come spring. But what else do I need to know? Just how much do I need to know in electricity and plumbing, are there specific books out there that cover just enough that's needed for a boat? Ways to practice? I'm still at a point in my life where my career is very open. What sort of money does a boat take to build from scratch? The 20' runabout? That 85' yacht a few decades from now? What sort of salary would be necessary to support such a hobby, that is. Location, also. Past 30' or so, can it still be trailered, and if not, can it be trucked, and if not, do you need to find a good oceanside construction lot? (all of this is far in the future). Needless to say, I'm intimidated; I suppose I'm asking for a reality check to see if I still have the right to dream about these things, even giving myself 30+ yrs to accomplish them.

More down to earth, I do want to build a 20' open runabout for fun day trips. No plumbing nor galley :-) Basic steering to learn with constructing, outboard motor, simpler upholstery and simpler carpentry. I found clarkcraft.com, and was looking at the 22' walk-through viking, that seems suitable to take a largish group of friends on. Plywood and fiberglass because I think I can do that, welding I cannot (yet). But this will still be a great challenge for an utter novice... how many hours can I expect to put in? What sort of costs? I will be building it as I can afford each part, right now I've just put together the money to start a strip canoe next week (it'll give me practice in fiberglassing, and be a fun start before my first true boat), but if a $600 canoe won't be effortless to afford, maybe even the simpler power boats will be near impossible at least for now.. I don't know.... Given hours and costs, I'd just like to start to project ahead. Will I be starting at the end of this summer and finishing before the beginning of next? Will I be starting and finishing it this very summer? Or will it in fact take a couple years if it turns out that I make many newbie mistakes or if it costs not hundreds of dollars but thousands?

thanks!
-Bernard

[John C]

Hi Bernie
Before you get too caught up in a life of boatbuilding, get a job as a deckhand on a large yacht and cruise the Caribbean or the Med. If you're that much of a beginner, you need to know if you are going to like the life, or if you will spend your time vomiting over the side. Ask around (by phone) in Fort Lauderdale or Newport RI for jobs. There are agents looking for crew. Or else go to your local yacht clubs and see if there is anyone planning to cross the Atlantic. The experience will stand you in good stead. Good luck

[willibuch3]

I suggest you start by reading and studying often and hard the book "Boat Building" by Howard Chapelle. This book describes all the key elements you will need to build a credible boat. It also has useable plans for several boats, both power and sail. I built the 10 ft rowing and sailing dinghy several years ago and it has a good performing little boat. You will need a dinghy for your next boat so you might as well get some good experience. There are several other books you can read which you can use to add to your experience. It seems you are in a hurry to get started but I don't think you need be. I started when I was 35 with the dinghy. I am on my third boat at 68 years. This one is a 34 foot sharpie design to be built in wood.The previous boat was a 25 ft Cape Cod Catboat built of foam cored fiberglass. That boat is still sailing after 31 years. You are welcome to reply any time.

Bill.

[betelgeuserdude]

It's much easier, faster, and less expensive to study proper construction techniques through active repair work aboard an existing boat.

This "practice boat" will exhibit what works and what doesn't, what you find agreeable and what you don't. You'll have some ability to enjoy a boat as a boat, rather than a boat as a boatyard project. Too many amatuer builders forget what a boat really is, as they become bogged down in the minutiae of construction, and the finances and decisions that are required.

I would suggest picking up a used runabout and expect to pay no more than 5% of the cost of a similarly sized one-off boat. Use the boat, rehab the boat, sell the boat (or not). Your ideas for the next boat, be it another used one, or one built with your own hands, will blossom as you gain experience.

I still buy reference materials whenever I feel stumped by a watermaker, or a gearbox, rigging, or upholstery. Bookmark Amazon.com and start a wish list. Howard Chapelle, and Robert Steward are good to have on hand. Nigel Calder's books are good for systems. There are any number of other books suited to particular situations, and in time, you will discover your own needs.

Don't worry too much about committing to a single method or material, they all have their reasons for existing, and bear consideration. Likewise, try not to champion a particular type. Like women and wine, they are all worthy of exploration. Your own experience is far more valuable than the opinions of one who advocates his/her favorite. Try them to know them.

I'm not sure I remember who it was who said it, (Culler, Rabl, Manning, Steward, Chapelle), but I always try to advocate that:

"EXPERIENCE IS GAINED WHEN YOU BEGIN."

Enjoy the journey. Life is what happens as you're busy planning.

DC