Has anyone here started a boat building business from scratch?

[RealityBoatCo]

That was just the coast guard stuff. Now we need all the epa books.

[PAR]

Eric, you have the right idea on your book, though I'd write mine about all the folks who wanted to "design" a pontoon boat using corrugated PVC tubing zip tied together. They also don't have any cash, but plenty of PVC tubing . . .

[CAROLINAGIRL]

I would like to build a fiberglass boat, need to know everything from start to finish as to how it is done.

I am very good at all mechanical and electrical things, not much I have not built or fixed.

Any info as to how to build the mold, the boat, the finishes and so forth??

Thanks,
Jay

[Eric Sponberg]

Carolina Girl

The best thing for you to do is to get a job at a boatbuilder. Seeing how it is done is easier than talking about it or reading about it.

Eric

[gonzo]

Surf through the forum. There is oodles of info here.

[dereksireci]

Question:
What's the fastest way to end up being a boatbuilder with a million dollars in the bank?


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Answer:
Start with two million!

Good luck anyway.

[DYI]

Four words Forest Woods Ranger boats .

[Corpus Skipper]

Four words Forest Woods Ranger boats

Started with 2 million, now has one?

[DYI]

Originally Posted by Corpus Skipper

Started with 2 million, now has one?

Who knows how much he has But lets say 30,000.oo as an avg price per boat and 22 leave the plant every day.

[dereksireci]

This is the exception, not the rule. Another old saying in the business, well not really old because I started it is: "Almost anybody can build a great boat, but few can make money at it."

djs

[JEM]

Originally Posted by CAROLINAGIRL

I would like to build a fiberglass boat, need to know everything from start to finish as to how it is done.

I am very good at all mechanical and electrical things, not much I have not built or fixed.

Any info as to how to build the mold, the boat, the finishes and so forth??

Thanks,
Jay

Start by reading. Understandng Boat Design is a good place to start.

[DYI]

[quote=dereksireci]This is the exception, not the rule. Another old saying in the business, well not really old because I started it is: "Almost anybody can build a great boat, but few can make money at it."

Very true ! Genmar own the lions shair anyway ...including Ranger . Unless the boat you produce was so unique ...and / or ....so cheap to buy, that almost anyone could own one..... I would just forget it .. Just the motors alone now are sooooo expensive .. it puts the (regular joe ) right out of the boat buying park.. 21,000.oo for a new Mercury Veraido 250 GEEEEEES!! not this kid
What i would do if you really wanted to start Building FG boats, just to get a feel of what your up aginst . Find a small boat plan on the web say an *8 or 10 foot Mini hydroplain Build your static boat from their plans . Use heavy duty lumber all through it . This boat wont float ....Its your "PLUG' from which to build your molds from. 2 molds will be needed A top deck mold and a bottom Hull. Your molds , just like a boat, will be made from the finish out. Clear coat, jel coat fiberglass mat for a total thickness at least 3/8 inch thick for the mold . All this is done in a room of constant temp,humidity And dust free . Optimal curring conditions . After the hull molds are cured (At least 1 week ) then you can glass in your supports that hold the mold in its shape, then tie all the supports togather with stringers . Add wheels to the mold support so it can roll .. Then if you properly waxed the plug , the mold "" should """ Pop off the plug . and be ready for use to make your boats in . Be prepaired to make more molds because molds do ware out . . To make your first hull ...WAX the mold and buff it out real good . On the inside , Clear coat the mold , let dry then add your tape for stripes or pin stripes . or color changes . (get a lexan RC car body and stripe it and stuff this will give you a feel of whats going on with the boat mold ) jelcoat and let dry , backing jelcoat and let dry , add glass to thickness . add fiberglass stiffners and support pieces . Then add polyurathane foam in all the unused cavities for floatation. let dry for a week . and pop it out of the mold . Do the same to the other part of the hull . and presto you have a boat ! well not quite yet ... now you have to mate the deck and hull and rig the boat out plumb the boat with bulge and gas tank and what ever acc 's you want , wire the boat , motor, install guages , Nav lights , (USCG required) ECT ECT ECT ... This is just the tip of the ice burg and a general overview of what happens . And by NO MEANS do I make any claim to its accurcy. ITS a lot to it . Its a lot of flamable chemicals that produce their own heat , its uncomfortable to work around and you WILL het FG splinters in your hands , and ichy dust all over you . a lot of pre planning and fabercation time limits on workability . and a constant temp / humidity controlled work space Its just a LOT of work. but is done every day .

[67-LS1]

Eric,
When you write the book, I would like a copy.
I'm one of those people that has the perfect boat in mind but can't afford to build it and I still think your book would be hilarious.
Dennis
PS - And my boat would be perfect. (Bet you never heard that before)

Originally Posted by Eric Sponberg

Stephen,

No, I have not written any books--my wife is the novelist. See her book "The Kingsley House" (St. Martin's Press, 2000, and still available at Amazon.com). Her second novel is with her agent making the rounds of publishers, and the next novel is in the works.

I might like to write a book sometime later, after I retire, called "I want to build a boat but I don't have any money." It would be about all the really crazy ideas and stories that come across my desk from people who would like to build the neatest green sailing machine, but just can't afford it. I think it would be a hoot! Maybe later. Thanks for asking.

Eric

[Willallison]

I'll go a copy too!...though I bet my dream boat is better than Dennis's!!

[rob1966]

hiya mate . i.own one of these little boats but it is in a bit of a sorry state at present . it looks exactly the same apart from the power unit . it also is very old . if you want any pictures drop me an email to rhaldron@aol.com and i will send you some .