Building hull in cross sections

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by SmallSpaceBigImagination, Mar 22, 2021.

  1. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    What is your budget?
     
  2. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    I think the average 32ft (smaller beam) is approx $50k usd. I'd expect to have to put a bit more into the plans for engineering. I'm thinking $60k usd all in, with the plan costing 10%+ with the modifications. but the rest of the build will likely be spread out over 5+ years
     
  3. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    I think that this is a very optimistic estimate - I remember @fallguy mentioning on here a little while ago that he has already invested something like $150k in building his 32' Skoota, and he was then still a long way from completion.
     
  4. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    good to know... i based it on an article I found on the net. All the more reason to want to spread out the costs. still much cheaper than the 2018 ex charter motor cqt i was obsessing over a while back!
     
  5. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    That budget is very low. $150,000 is closer to a realistic cost. For example, a pair of 40HP outboards with electric start are about $15,000. The rigging and steering will be another $3,000. Make a takeout of materials to get a cost. That should include tools you need to buy or rent and all the disposables like sandpaper, solvents, cleaning supplies, etc.
     
  6. guzzis3
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    guzzis3 Senior Member

    How many people ? I wouldn't consider a boat over 30' unless I had 18 children.

    Good point about Rob (harryproa). I hadn't noticed motor proas in his portfolio. If he has something that suits you will find no more efficient build. His build methods are magic. Economic on materials also.

    I will never understand why people want 40' boats but what would I know ?
     
  7. Dejay
    Joined: Mar 2018
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    Dejay Senior Newbie

    Oh sorry the harryproas are motorsailers at best. I'm new to boating as well but as far as sailboats go they seem very easy and forgiving with a standing mast and simple sails.

    But good to hear someone else thinks Rob is onto something :) The main thing is to design so the molds are simple to build and reusable and you can design it with tabs for multiple parts and interior furniture that can be tabbed together. So it's not just the boat but the interior that is easy to build and fit out. I'd love to see a design for a motor boat (trimaran?) that can be build like that.

    And slim, long and lightweight would be good for energy efficiency for displacement speeds e.g. for electric or solar boats with low power density. Basically adding length without having much in it. Problem is really berthing costs and transport. Maybe a detachable bow?
     
  8. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    I’m looking for a bit more than a weekender ... as I mentioned would like one day to sail to Warmer weather during the winter... and I only have 2 children that will not be coming! Just the 2 of us.

    The larger the boat the more comfortable my wife can make herself - as it is the designs I’ve looked at have a single head and that’s not sitting well - compromises... but it all boils down to happy wife happy life
     
  9. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    I have looked at Harryproa and I like a few of their designs.
    Being an older couple I’m. Not sure we could handle a proa during tack- having to basically move all the controls from one end to the other quickly.
    I’m also not averse to learning to sail.. iI’m just concerned about climbing a mast at my age or standing on a rocking deck to furl a sail! I just know I’d motor more than sail. But any opinion / advice would be awesome ...
     
  10. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    Just wanted to take a second and thank everyone for their input. It’s been great in correcting my bad initial planning and helping me frame the project...

    If I have to stay within my build area I did consider glen l’s aquacat... it’s the only cat I found that will fit my build area with a head. That may mean giving up the dream of sailing to Florida I’d be concerned sailing in the gulf mid November in a 18 foot cat. Am I way off base? Also it’s very much a weekender... limited storage space, very small cabin with low headroom.

    I haven’t given up! I’m still on the hunt for my dream plan and if I decide to build big I now know I must seek out an boat engineer/architect to help modify

    I’m really leaving towards foam core glass. I like aluminum / Steel for the strength. Im just not sure I could cut out the prices perfectly. Definitely not convinced I could properly tack it together well enough to not end with a warped keel!
     
  11. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    SSB, how about simply building a little boat (such as a tender) and buying a second hand boat that is capable of sailing to Florida from the Great Lakes?

    Here is a link to a search I did on Yachtworld for power boats under 35', and under US$50,000, for sale in the Great Lakes area.
    There are a LOT for sale.....
    (Power) Power Catamaran Boats For Sale https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp?cit=true&slim=quick&ybw=&sm=3&searchtype=advancedsearch&Ntk=boatsUK&Ntt=&is=&man=&hmid=0&ftid=0&enid=0&type=%28Power%29+Power+Catamaran&type=%28Power%29+Cruiser&type=%28Power%29+Motor+Yacht&type=%28Power%29+Pilothouse&type=%28Power%29+Trawler&fromLength=25&toLength=35&fromYear=&toYear=2015&fromPrice=20000&toPrice=50000&luom=126&currencyid=100&city=&rid=102&pbsint=&boatsAddedSelected=-1

    Here is a link to a typical example of a boat that would be very suitable for a leisurely passage south to Florida - ok, she has a rather elderly Perkins diesel, and I am not too sure how easy it is to get parts for these in North America now, but I am sure that others on here can better advise on this.
    1984 Mainship Sedan III Trawler Power New and Used Boats for Sale https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1984/mainship-sedan-iii-trawler-3712790/

    Another possibility (if you are keen on wooden boats) - this Grand Banks 32 trawler will keep you from being bored, as there will always be some essential maintenance to do.
    1968 Grand Banks 32 Sedan Power New and Used Boats for Sale https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1968/grand-banks-32-sedan-3704131/
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2021
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  12. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    In that case, a small multihull is the wrong design. They need to be quite large to have a spacious saloon on the deck and enough volume in the hulls.
     
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  13. SmallSpaceBigImagination
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    SmallSpaceBigImagination Junior Member

    That is something that hadn't occurred to me. Definite option. Only drawback I can see is spreading out the outlay won't feel as big a purchase as it really would be when it all ads together. But that large a price tag is unavoidable. Similar to 'these old things- they're not new'... I have my tricks too "seriously I only spent 20k on the boat" this year :)
     
  14. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Joking aside, if you are married it is imperative to get your spouse onboard with the project. I have seen many project end up unfinished and cause a divorce. For example, my agreement with the wife is that I can have any boat I want, as long as it is not parked in or around the house. Also, she goes boating with me as long as the boat has a working toilet and she doesn't have to steer or maneuver it. She will pass me beer and sandwiches though.
     

  15. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    I would have thought that it is a 'no brainer' really - you could buy a 'ready to go' Great Loop boat for 50k, and build yourself a nice tender for it (to satisfy your building urge), or you can spend $150k over the next 3 years (or 10.... the 'man maths' works out even better then! :) ) building yourself a 'big' boat to do the Great Loop (or even just go to Florida) - if the boat ever gets finished that is. Take heed of Gonzo's sage advice above.
     
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