Composite Boatbuilding Service

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Adam Focht, Jan 23, 2010.

  1. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    After having worked for others building boats for the past 18+ years, my brother and I have opened up a one stop composites shop.

    We offer everything needed to go from a design to finished product, including tooling, prototyping, etc.

    For further information, please feel free to email me.

    adam@katcomposites.com
    www.katcomposites.com
     
    2 people like this.
  2. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 6,163
    Likes: 495, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1749
    Location: Tasmania,Australia

    rwatson Senior Member

    Good luck there Adam - great move. Hope you make some money so you can get a much better website established :)
     
  3. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Welcome, Adam. Good luck in your new venture. I know things in Michigan are very tough economically right now.
     
  4. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
    Posts: 1,618
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1240
    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Good luck, I hope you will have success.

    One of my clients did the same in The Netherlands (www.mrboat.nl), and he is doing great. However, it still is not a full time business for him. But there is a growing potential.

    I feel that to make a nice turnover in composites for boats, you will have to SHOW people how to do it. Think about Youtube movies, instructional diagrams, and best: workshops. Charge people a bit of money, which covers your cost, and include a small set of materials, so they can try at home. Keep it really basic.
    Advertise in local boatshops, sailing clubs, etc etc. Invite some people for the first rounds. Getting some people enthousiast about your venture is important. Also call some newspapers and magazines, they usually can use a story.

    Again, good luck, and all the best!
     
  5. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    Thanks everyone, your input and support are much appreciated.
     
  6. ian_upton
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 49
    Likes: 0, Points: 6, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan

    ian_upton Junior Member

    Where in Michigan are you located? I see an (810) area code.
     
  7. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    st clair county, off 94 and gratiot
     
  8. Boston

    Boston Previous Member

    best of luck
    I just started a new biz myself so you have both my sympathies and best wishes

    my advice would be to remain flexible
    biz is a dynamic system and going with the flow is an essential aspect of any new biz
    focus on what works and let it take its own direction

    its all about sales if you ask me
    my first salesman comes on soon as I have his business cards ready and my new business license arrives

    ps
    any good wood mills in your area
    I typically buy in Missouri but you have a few local species there I cant get in MI
     
  9. Obsession
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 68
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 35
    Location: Chicago, IL, USA

    Obsession Junior Member

    Hey Adam, are you the legendary Ross Focht's son? Were you involved with the express cats or ocean express cats or did you make your own path from the start?

    P.S. Hope you have great luck with the new business - nice to see a new business starting despite the tight economy right now.
     
  10. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    Yes I am Ross' son, I worked for him for about 15 years, then built boats for Wayne and Joe at Sunsation for several years. My brother and I have a 40' cat plug we're trying to move forward but need the work to continue to fund the project.
     
  11. Vicious Racing
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: michigan/ South Carolina

    Vicious Racing Vicious Custom Boats

    Adam, Good luck with your venture with Rossie ! Are you going to stay working with Patrick ? It was really good seeing you last month and melissa sends her love .
     
  12. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    Hey Spark, good too see you also

    Until we're able to get enough work to keep me busy full time, I'll be working with Patrick. We're working on a contract to build some small center console fishing cats for a local guy right now, the molds just showed up at the shop a couple days ago.

    My best to Melissa and the girls.
     
  13. Vicious Racing
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: michigan/ South Carolina

    Vicious Racing Vicious Custom Boats

    I really hope the best to you and Rossie, No matter where your at the marine business is in hard times.
     
  14. Adam Focht
    Joined: Jan 2010
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 39
    Location: Michigan

    Adam Focht Junior Member

    Thanks Spark, Rossie and I appreciate it, and our best to you and your ventures.
     

  15. GG
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 190
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: -30
    Location: MICH

    GG offshore artie

    Adam called and left you a voice mail along with e mail about purchasing materials days ago and glad to see that you are so busy that you do not have time to respond considering that you have just opened up a one stop composite shop with a web site that still is not up and running and to tell you the truth why bother showing a web site on this forum that is still in the build process ..................... Thank you very much !
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. fallguy
    Replies:
    120
    Views:
    8,089
  2. mrdebian
    Replies:
    15
    Views:
    1,379
  3. Chotu
    Replies:
    8
    Views:
    1,209
  4. bajansailor
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    1,263
  5. cando2
    Replies:
    10
    Views:
    1,395
  6. Robert Biegler
    Replies:
    61
    Views:
    5,509
  7. Markusik
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    1,338
  8. fallguy
    Replies:
    12
    Views:
    1,609
  9. Mark C. Schreiter
    Replies:
    29
    Views:
    2,803
  10. Scott M..
    Replies:
    61
    Views:
    7,264
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.