Idlewild Expedition

The latest edition of Professional Boat Builder has a short article about retired Bison rancher Ben Gray. http://www.proboat-digital.com/proboat/20080203/ Page 22. I've posted it here as there does not seem to be a category that exactly suits the tale.

Here is his story. It is about building a troller yacht designed by Geo. Buehler and setting off. http://idlewildexpedition.ca/theplan.htm

Pericles

 

I spent a hour or two yesterday looking through this very enterprising undertaking. Thanks for bringing it to our notice !

What I could not understand is why they first veered West (towards Alaska and the Bering Strait) then East again - back on the same route ? - before making their pasage through the upper reaches of the Arctic Ocean and finally into the Atlantic.

 

Haven't go to that bit yet, but I'm going to guess seasonal sea ice.

Pericles

 

You could be right there. Had not occurred to me.

 

Thanks for the post and sites Pericles.
Now in my favourites for further reading...

Have given recently so herewith a token of my appreciation (doubles)::::::::::

 

They went west first so that when they came across the Pacific a year later they could connect the circle (around the world) at Pt. Barrow Alaska. The voyage was a stunt and apparently they didn't really enjoy the boating part. They finished in August 2006, the boat has since sat ashore for sale in Vancouver, only $500k, silly price considering there is no market for this boat.

Tad

 

Last I saw, it was $400k. I think there is a market -- just not a mass market. I like the boat -- I'm waiting for some interior pictures. I would then have to calculate the cost of a new build to compare (What's your guess?).

 

Sheet....

There are far, far more boats for sale currently than buyers seriously interested. Thus it is a buyers market, the bargains will move, the others will languish. Idlewild was still listed at 500k 6-8 months ago. Cutting the price by 20% shows something of the market interest. People who think they can sell a custom boat (from a relatively unknown builder) for what they have invested are mistaken.

She is a very small boat for her length. For the same or less money you can buy far more accommodation. The engine has many hours on it. I know her initial cost (ex-builder) was less than $400k, but she was incomplete.

A 30,000 boat, built to the lowest finish level, (no paint or fairing, crude interior) will take at least 8000 man hours to complete. 8000 hours at $65 is $520k in labour alone, before buying materials. New cost never compares to one "that's been driven off the lot".