what should I do?

Hey all,

I'm taking a year out next year, and so have some free time. What I would love to do is build a boat.

Now, there are several pressing problems with this idea. One is that I have nowhere to build it. I've briefly looked at renting garages, but they look expensive, and possibly too small.

The boat that I'd like to build is somewhere in the region of 16-22 ft, either monohull or trimaran, with two berths, head, and minimalist galley. Chart table would be nice, but I'm not optimistic.

Rig would ideally be a Yawl, with a Gaff main, bemudan mizzen, mizzen staysail, forestaysail, jib, and a cruising chute. That's not going to happen. Oh well. I could have a Gaff rig in the summer and a bemudan in the winter like Peyton (see this month's PBO), but that would require designing. Plus I've heard spars and sails are expensive.

The design shouldn't be a problem, as my Uncle is a yacht designer, and a reasonably well known one. (He refuses to design a gaff Yawl rig btw). He'll do it for free. Construction would be stitch and glue, ply and epoxy and fibreglass tape over the top.

Anyway, my other option is to buy a small trailer sailer in need of repair and do her up. Does anyone know what kind of work would be likely to be needed for something like that? e.g. fracturing of the gel coat, refitting the inside etc. Would that be a better bet? I've noticed that boats like that seem to go cheaply, how do you know which ones are any good?

Anyway, is there any point in me attempting this, or am I being completely unrealistic?

Thanks for help in advance...

ukebert

 

Can you move or do you have a familiy?
If you are alone, move to a warmer place with lower rent

 

What's your "primary" goal? To build something or sail?
You build to prove something, (to others or ypurself). You fix something because it is an means to an end. A way to aquire something to further the actual desire.
A year won't let you finish a proper sailboat. 2 maybe if you work steady. To repair or remodel an existing boat will have you on the water sailing. If already floating then the issue of space is solved.
Decide what you really want, then the answer will be there. Good luck.

 

I am building to sail, and would rather like to do both, but with the emphasis on sailing of course.

With the design that I have, one year should be adequate with the time avaliable to finish. Just.

I am currently leaning towards buying a floating project and taking it from there. I would get an awful lot more sailing time.

 

U,

Do not put much faith in your time estimate.

Usaully, for a first time builder, such time "estimations" are off at least 100%.

For a monohull, you had better make 22' your lower possible length if you are to fit the accomadations you wish.


TGoz

 

Yes, 22' is my limit for monohulls, but for a trimaran, I'm thinking 16' might just be enough. I'm not particularly picky anyway. A camping stove would do me fine for a galley, and a piece of wood laid over a berth becomes a table

I appreciate what you're saying about the time, and it makes sense. Hmmm, maybe a detailed look at how much time I can spare would be in order.

 

Going simple & spartan, as to the accomadations, will definetly allow a quicker finish.

Finishing out a boat to a more "yacht like" level really eats up the clock.

For basic knocking about a simple well built boat should do you fine. The money you save on going without fancy interiour fittings can be used to help you use the best (& more critical) structural fittings & materials.

Take care.

TGoz

 

I was mostly thinking of how much time the interior, systems, and standing rigging take. I promise.... twice what you thimk it will.
Your in the wrong place to take advantage of a real deal here.
My bud just "gave" away a 24' McGregor swing keel & trailer. Full sail compliment and all systems OK. Hurricane Rita tore all the bow railing off & 3 cleats. That was the only damage. He's not handy & his wife wanted it out of the yard, so he gave it to a young couple. BUT... I bet they never fix it either. Oh Well!!!!
I think ypu are right in fixing one up. Anpther plus to that is you can take the extra money you'll save and buy "top drawer' all the things you'll need. Good luck & send a picture next year.

 

The record for a Didi 26 is 400 hours for the hull only. That is 400kg of hull and structure. I think 1 to 2 kg/hour is a good rule of thumb.