Hire builder to help with Glen-L Project

Hi All,

I took on the project of a Glen-L wooden boat thinking it would be a piece of cake but have realized it is a bit above my level of expertise to finish off. The hull has been completed but much of the wiring and interior need to be completed and I am just looking for someone to come help me out.

I live in Coral Gables, FL and have a woodshop with a small residence attached that I rent out. I would be happy to pay someone to come stay at the house and work on the boat with/without me to help get it completed before next years show in April.

Let me know if you are interested or know anyone who might be interested in an expenses paid trip to Miami to work on this beautiful boat Reply below and I'll message you. Hope to see you soon!

 

Welcome to the Forum B.

Re how your project is a Glen-L design, which design is it please? Is there a link to it in their online catalogue?
You mention 'next year's show in April' - what show is this? Are you planning on exhibiting the completed boat at this show?

How much are you willing to pay somebody to help you?
You later mention an 'expenses paid trip to Miami' - is this only expenses re food and travel, or are you happy to pay the going rate for a boatbuilder?

 

Great questions Bajansailor.

But my gosh you're going to have to be careful you don't get ripped off Boatbuildinghelp.

Ya, what's the offer and what do you expect in return?

Do you have all the tools needed? A/C? Etc.

@Boatbuildinghelp

 

Thanks for the reply Bajansailor and BlueBell! Glad to hear you are interested in helping out. For transparency sake, I am an executive assistant for the boat builder, trying to set this all up.
He would love to get on a whatsapp call to be able to walk around the boat and get everything settled.

Below is the main offer:
Pay for you to help complete the Glen-L Boat.
We expect you to have experience in boatbuilding and evidence to support the idea that if we bring you out here, the boat will be completed and have a new friend to go on the maiden voyage
Regular Economy Flight to and from MIA (Miami International Airport) paid.
Free housing at an onsite cottage in the heart of Miami. (Duration to be generally agreed upon) The boat is at a (rather nice) woodshop the size of a two car garage under an awning and backyard and one bedroom cottage that is recently vacant. It's usually rented out so great place to stay, much nicer than a shack if you're worried about that. It's a home.

To Answer Questions:
The Boat is the Glen-L Zip. (Zip https://www.glen-l.com/14-zip-twin-cockpit-runabout/products/378/)
Not necessarily bringing to the show, but would be cool! Show is much later than I realized in September but mostly irrelevant to this. (G-20!!!! (2026) - Glen-L.com https://www.glenlforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=37062)
We likely have all the tools needed / Will buy parts needed.
The Woodshop and house has A/C but the boat is outside under the awning. That said Winter in Florida is a lovely 60-70 Degrees Fahrenheit (15-20 C).

Payment:
Free Flight
Free Housing
Paid weekly, based on going rate for boatbuilder. This will be at the discretion of my boss but agreed upon before any forward action.

When:
Start date after Jan 1st. TBD

Before you fly:
Would want a basic portfolio of what you've done in the past relating to boat building. We want confidence in your ability to get the job done.
Please be able to prove your experience. Previous boats/projects etc.

This is a phenomenal opportunity for anyone that has a passion for boatbuilding and completing projects. The attached show the yellow woodshop and awning with the green house in the background.

Please let me know if you are interested and how to connect with you. I'll be in touch!

 

Excellent.

 

If you or anyone is interested, I'd love for you to shoot me a private message to discuss further.

 

I was really only asking questions on behalf of others who might be interested.
But what you are offering does sound like a good deal really for somebody who might like to come and help to finish the outfitting of the boat.

Thinking a bit 'left field' now, would you be interested in seeing if a boatbuilding school might like to finish the boat for you?
These folk have boat building programs for veterans, and they are not too far away from you.
Shake-a-Leg Miami https://www.shakealegmiami.org/programs/veterans-programs

 

Well, I've never been to Florida, let alone Miami.
It's so tempting it's ridiculous.

How many hour drive from Fort Lauderdale are you?

Your description was well presented.

What motor do you plan to put on?

 

Would love to have you here! When I visited Miami, I never left!

Fort Lauderdale Airport is between 30 min to an hour from the house depending on traffic.

Not sure on motor just yet, I'd imagine we'd take your/Glen-L's recommendation.

@bajansailor That's a great idea and certainly can look into it, but I like the Expenses Paid Vacation For a Lucky Boat Builder Idea LMK

 

@Boatbuildinghelp

Going to send you a Private Message.

BB

 

Looks like you're not receiving PM's.

You may want to unlock that...

Or I can just reprint my message here.

 

Not sure how to unlock… in the meantime sure! Happy to discuss here!

 

You need a few more posts to have PM, if I remeber correctly at least six, write a few more here.

 

You’d be surprised how much effort goes into procurement.

Before having anyone come to work; you’ll need to have the stuff there or it’ll be a drawn out process.

You will learn the person’s competance during the procurement efforts.

If the boat is to be insured; you’ll need it surveyed. To pass an insurance survey; you’ll need to meet ABYC. These are the competancy issues.

Everything starts with the propulsion unit.

Your boss will be very sad bringing someone out to Miami and not passing a survey or waiting for parts, so what you really need is a consultant off site first. Otherwise, it could be a months long affair, and if someone charges say 75 an hour; the fee would be like $35 grand. Just doesn’t compute.

If all the stuff is there; the boat can be outfitted in say 4-10 weeks depending upon how fancy the controls are, etc. More like $15-20k.

 

Great point. Would definitely make sense to order all the parts before bringing someone in. I'd imagine we'd want that person to be a part of both processes.

That said the plan was to start this after the new year so we have a bit of time to order but will not be able to start ordering until we found the right guy, for the right price.