Plywood Catamaran

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by petee, Aug 12, 2005.

  1. petee
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 14
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    Location: ALLTEL.net

    petee Junior Member

    Greetings fellow sailors! I am new to this forum and look forward to
    finding input on my first ever construction project.
    I am retired and had to let my Hunter 280 go due to lack of funds.
    My budget is quite small, but I would like to build a catamaran using the stitch and glue method.(sailboat that is).
    My objective is to end up with a boat capable of coastal cruising, perhaps
    28 to 30 feet in length with possible crossings from Florida to the Bahamas.
    Has anyone experience building such a boat or Jim Brown Trimarans?
    I live on 4 acres in North Florida so space is not a problem, in fact if you want room to build your sailing vessel contact me.
    I would be building kind of piecemeal, that is, small amounts of plywood each month as budget permits(ouch! could be buried before I finish!).
    Thanks for your input and ideas. Pete
     
  2. nero
    Joined: Aug 2003
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    Location: Marseille, France / Illinois, US

    nero Senior Member

    Look at Kurt Hugh's catalog. His designs might be exactly what you want. There is a "low" priced seller of marine ply in the bottom of florida. If you save your pennies and then place a big order the price per sheet will drop.

    happy building
     
  3. petee
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: ALLTEL.net

    petee Junior Member

    thanks

    Appreciate the input and have sent for info from Kurt Hughes.
    It's a little intimidating as I have never built a boat before and don't want
    to overstep my abilities! Pete
     
  4. nero
    Joined: Aug 2003
    Posts: 624
    Likes: 13, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 112
    Location: Marseille, France / Illinois, US

    nero Senior Member

    If you can read a blue print, mix epoxy, use a jig saw, tolerate sanding ... you will have the same problems as the rest of us. smile
     
  5. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Probably the first thing to do is to write down a realistic budget. If you can't affford that Hunter, building a boat may be even more expensive.
     
  6. petee
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: ALLTEL.net

    petee Junior Member

    Thank-you folks!

    I do appreciate the input from you all.
    In checking out Clarkcraft.com I found a Lively 28 with frame kit etc.
    which may be the best way to go for my limited budget.
    We'll see after I check out all the info I can find. petee
     
  7. Andy
    Joined: Aug 2003
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    Location: Edinburgh

    Andy Senior Member

    Do a Google search for a design called Gypsy by Richard Woods. He built the first one for £5000 in the early 90's, and it had rave reviews in a number of boating magazines!

    Andy
     
  8. cyclops
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: usa

    cyclops Senior Member

    Go with Gonzo's idea. Maintaining a boat IS cheaper than building with no experience. Or, buy a small good boat and go out on the water with it whenever you please. A boat moving on water, is better than one upside down in a garage.
     

  9. Armada
    Joined: Mar 2005
    Posts: 33
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    Location: Turkey

    Armada Junior Member

    Dear Petee,
    I have started a Didi 26 and to complete boat at tip top condition will cost me around 15 grand
     
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