Dix 43 in steel

[StrandedMariner]

I am looking at having a Dix 43 built (steel hull and centre cockpit). I am based in Shanghai, China, but the problem here is that most boat builders have experience with FRP only. The one or two that do have experience, are fully booked for years, and prefer building series over building a one-off boat.

So I am looking outside of China as well now.

I would be happy if someone could point me in the right direction with:

1) A suggestion of a boat builder that is willing and able to do my project.

2) A ballpark figure on what the building of the hull and outfitting would/should cost.

Thanks in advance!

[espresso]

Lots of Dix pilot house boats being built in South Africa. Probably as cheap as China, and waaay better quality.

[StrandedMariner]

Thanks expresso.

I have also been thinking to look in South Africa, as I am running out of options in Asia.
Regarding building in aluminium, I am well aware of the advantages of aluminium, but my concern is to have any repairs done in the future. To my knowledge there are not many places (at least here in Asia) that can do aluminium welding properly.

[espresso]

An aluminium boat is very unlikely to need any repairs anyway. Structural aluminium welding may be hard to come by, but I would assume that you could find someone to do basic welding though. I have taught myself to weld Aluminium just to do odd changes on my own boat, and while I wouldn't want to do anything highly stressed, it is fairly easy to get passable welds. A lot can also be done by bolting, bonding or riveting. An aluminium sailboat came through Cape Town recently that had had a bad encounter with something hard or heavy resulting in a severe dent to the hull. The owners had simply pop riveted and Sikaflexed a sheet of 1mm Ally sheet to the outside of the hull and carried on circumnavigating.

[dincerd]

Hi!

I M A Naval Architect And Designer From Turkey/ Bodrum & Working On Building Megayachts. We Have A Great Experience On Building And Designing Boats. And Also One More Advantage Of Building Here Is Cheaper Cost Than European. If U Like, I Can Send You References Of Our Previous Works.
If You Like To Think Of Working With Us, Please Contact Me.

Best Wishes,
Dincer Dinc