Has anyone here actually built a boat from scratch, either from plans or from a kit?

This isn't something I'm seriously considering for myself, I'm good with my hands and probably could do it. I'd build a scale model first though, which I might do anyway. But I think a full size boat may prove to turn into a long and expensive project, expensive compared to buying a second hand boat of similar size. Which is around the 20 foot mark, for cruising, day sailing.

If you have any experience or perhaps some plans you'd like to share.....?

There are so many great second hand boats for sale ATM, it would make no economic sense to build your own. However, if you want a project to kill years of your time, and chew up your bank balance, go ahead.

i am a boatbuilder and build to order and i can assure you the reason not many boats are built today is second hand boats are cheaper than the material list
the only time it is worthwhile is if you want something very specific and can afford to pay
having said that i am planning on building a high performace gaff rig trailable boat but every one knows im nuts just trying to find the time

Boat building is a worthwhile challenge but yeh a second hand vessel will be many many times cheaper, building your own dingy might be a good compromise

I'm currently building a small, folding dinghy as a tender to my 2nd hand 22ft cruiser. Yes it is more expensive than buying a 2nd hand dinghy. Yes it is time consuming. Yes it is hard work. But its also very satisfying and enjoyable and I will end up with exactly the dinghy to suit my needs.

My theory has always been "Don't build a boat if you want a boat. Only build a boat if want a project"

I've been following Leo and his rebuild of Tally Ho on You Tube - the best series on YouTube, IMO. He publishes a new videa every two weeks and is now on Episode 75, in which he has just started to cast the Bronze Floors. The boat is a work of art and I wish him every success. However, you can see just how much time, effort, resources and money he has put into it. If you even start to consider building your own boat, first watch this series and decide if you can commit to the same kind of investment in terms of time and money.

Mike while your in the should I Build mind, I think it's worth looking at phil bolgers catalog, it ranges from extremely elegant to strange slab sided sharpies, I still find the folding schooner amusing and the full length companion way on the bird watcher is out of the box. I have sailed and rowed the car topper, it is a hansom dingy indeed

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Achernar said..
I've been following Leo and his rebuild of Tally Ho on You Tube - the best series on YouTube, IMO. He publishes a new videa every two weeks and is now on Episode 75, in which he has just started to cast the Bronze Floors. The boat is a work of art and I wish him every success. However, you can see just how much time, effort, resources and money he has put into it. If you even start to consider building your own boat, first watch this series and decide if you can commit to the same kind of investment in terms of time and money.

Intresting I thought that guy would run out of money real quick when I first seen his videos. Seems makita still are the only maker of a 18volt router which is a pain. I just got a ozito 18volt wet and dry vac, jigsaw and 125 orbital sander must say very good quality!

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Achernar said..
I've been following Leo and his rebuild of Tally Ho on You Tube - the best series on YouTube, IMO. He publishes a new videa every two weeks and is now on Episode 75, in which he has just started to cast the Bronze Floors. The boat is a work of art and I wish him every success. However, you can see just how much time, effort, resources and money he has put into it. If you even start to consider building your own boat, first watch this series and decide if you can commit to the same kind of investment in terms of time and money.

I had a bit of a wince when he said the cost of bronze alone without the foundry costs added in was US$11,000 and then add in the labour cost of making the patterns.

Just adding fuel to the secondhand prerogative, I've built quite a few and work in the industry. While I love building new my own current boat was bought sailaway for around 25% of basic material costs, definitely secondhand and not the "prettiest" boat on the bay but full value, I could give it away free and be in front... but I won't;)
Jeff

Built four and like the ones I built (Including the one in the pic above). Twenty years ago it made great sense and you could build one, sail it and then sell at a profit. Not the case now. Build a little one as stated above.

Don't take Leo's route as he is way over the top for a normal build. I love watching the videos but he is not a third of the way through yet. I wince watching the huge amount of time and money he spends doing something that we could do with laminates in much less time and less money. Actually, he would probably be close to floating if he had ripped the frames out, trued them up with some sneaky chipboard, set them upside down and then done a strip plank, western red cedar hull with glass over. But no one would watch his channel and I couldn't marvel at his joints. How does he do such good chisel cuts, all of the time?I do worry a little for Leo. When he gets Tally Ho planked and then decked he may be almost halfway to putting her in the water. That much work before reward would kill me. Every boat I built had a time where you had to push yourself to keep going and this is for obstinate bastards who know they won't give up. But another 6 of so years of full on pace? And what about when it starts becoming properly expensive? He is at the cheapest stage now. I love it but it hurts to watch as well.

I have a set of plans for a Van de Stadt 34 that have not been used yet. They are for steel or aluminium (multi chine) construction.

You could get all the plates and components either laser, plasma or water jet cut for maybe $15,000.

Mast, rig and cruising sails for maybe $25,000.

Engine and associateds for maybe $25,000.

Paint maybe $15,000.

Fit out say $25,000.

Electrics and electronics maybe $10,000.

So what are we up to? $115,000 plus $1,000 for my plans and $9,000 for cost over run and it is $125,000.

OR

You could probably pick this one up for $35,000 or less. Is this your question answered????

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/van-de-stadt-34/240824

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woko said..
Mike while your in the should I Build mind, I think it's worth looking at phil bolgers catalog, it ranges from extremely elegant to strange slab sided sharpies, I still find the folding schooner amusing and the full length companion way on the bird watcher is out of the box. I have sailed and rowed the car topper, it is a hansom dingy indeed

Sure thing. Dynamite Payson does a range of books based on Phil Bolger's plans. As well as o e on modelling. You can even order precut patterns so you don't have to loft up. Carollers is three sheets of 4mm ply, a kilo of epoxyand some extra bits from memory.

Thanks for that, I see I was right when I said "it would be a long and expensive project". And not something I was seriously considering.

I do get a great deal of satisfaction from doing and making things for myself, apart from anything else you know how well it's is made, the strengths and weaknesses.
This weekend I'm going to make a bungee lathe, for a bit of fun. And if it works well I'll have hours of enjoyment making all sorts of things.

Leo's build looks fantastic and well above my skill level and budget. Mind you I'd love to pop over and give him a hand.

A dinghy has been mentioned a few times, perhaps a small sailing dinghy with oars would make a good project. And useful when I finally find get a boat of my own.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate you advice.

Mike.

I'm on my second build now, my experience & advice is;
everything takes 3 times as long to make as you thought it would.
You wouldn't build rather than buy to save money because you will spend more on materials than a good secondhand boat costs.
Buy plans from a reputable designer who's boats have actually been built.
Buy the best quality materials you can afford, otherwise you are just wasting the many hundreds of hours of labour you will put into a build.
Build if you can't find another boat that suites your requirements or you want something unique.I really enjoyed the the build process (I think my wife did too, having me in the shed every weekend)
I get more satisfaction sailing the boat I built than any other boat I have ever owed.
I will never sell my home build boat.

Have a funny view of Leo. Great boat builder but I found I just got sucked into the 'restoring' the Tallyho idea. Theres nothing restored at all. To me its a sister ship. Subtle but when you zoom out and really look at what happened, the original just got pulled to bits and there is nothing of it left. Its just my opinion and the whole thing doesnt sit well with me. Good on him for trying though. Back to the main topic....

Building your own is great challenge, I constantly building something,
largest 3 m rc gliders, I wouldn't have guts to go beyond that.
Anything I stretch , time wise, I never finish.
Maybe pick up someone relict and continue on that.

I spoke to a boat builder a few years ago and he said it was hard to build a finished boat that would compete with a mass produced boat on price so he built a couple of boats to a completed hull and than sold them so a handy owner could finish the boat off for just the cost of the materials much like some builders used to do years ago

I guess that by the owner starting with a completed professionally built hull it gave the build process a kickstart and a good structural base

Regards Don

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Mike367 said..

If you have any experience or perhaps some plans you'd like to share.....?

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Mike367 said..
Thanks for that, I see I was right when I said "it would be a long and expensive project". And not something I was seriously considering.

Hi Mike, I went down this path 20 yrs ago and have a set of plans for a Penobscot 17. Plans, templates, building manual and a vhs video. On that one I balked at the cost of the timber required but have build/restored a number of smaller plywood dinghies and a 5 metre trailer sailor. Unfortunately now I have a bit of epoxy sensitivity and so my boat building days are done.

smallboatsmonthly.com/article/penobscot-17/

Drop me a PM if you want the plans, happy to pass them on to someone who may enjoy looking at them.

I built my first yacht. ..a Sabot dinghy.

Learnt a lot about boatbuilding for a 12 year old.

My brother builr a Farrier tri. Wasnt a cheap exercise but its a great boat.

Usually cheaper to buy second hand but very rewarding to build your own.

So I've decided to build as 10 foot sailing, rowing dinghy, seems like a good idea as I couldn't find anything for sale quite like what I wanted. And it's a good project while I'm in stage 4 lockdown.

I've been ordering the materials online and doing what I can while waiting for the bits and bobs to arrive. One of the things I need is a sail for a balanced lug rig. I'm not sure I could make one myself but I'm willing to give it a go, if I can get the sail cloth.

The plans state the size as follows:

Head 2325
Foot 2175
Luff 1450
Leech 3050

It states that sail size is stretched, what does that mean?

I don't need a top of the line racing sail, it's just for cruising, nice and relaxed. What material to get? And where from? Preferably in Vic. 2nd hand is fine.

Thanks

Mike.

Not economically worthwhile building a boat, when you could buy a Mirror dinghy (10' 10") or similar for $600 to a grand, all inclusive.
I bought a sail of these people: isails.com/main-faq/ in autumn, a brand new sail for an 8 foot boat for $154 delivered.

I don't know what would be a suitable sail from the dimensions you quote, you might have to look at all the specs for each dinghy to find something close.
Lockdown is boring, depending on alternate hobbies/activities/work.

Question. What is more rewarding?
Building boats or sailing them????

Answer; sailing the boat you built yourself...

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Mike367 said..
So I've decided to build as 10 foot sailing, rowing dinghy, seems like a good idea as I couldn't find anything for sale quite like what I wanted. And it's a good project while I'm in stage 4 lockdown.

I've been ordering the materials online and doing what I can while waiting for the bits and bobs to arrive. One of the things I need is a sail for a balanced lug rig. I'm not sure I could make one myself but I'm willing to give it a go, if I can get the sail cloth.

The plans state the size as follows:

Head 2325
Foot 2175
Luff 1450
Leech 3050

It states that sail size is stretched, what does that mean?

I don't need a top of the line racing sail, it's just for cruising, nice and relaxed. What material to get? And where from? Preferably in Vic. 2nd hand is fine.

Thanks

Mike.

Buy a cheap blue tarp and build the first sail out of that.

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Ramona said..

Mike367 said..
So I've decided to build as 10 foot sailing, rowing dinghy, seems like a good idea as I couldn't find anything for sale quite like what I wanted. And it's a good project while I'm in stage 4 lockdown.

I've been ordering the materials online and doing what I can while waiting for the bits and bobs to arrive. One of the things I need is a sail for a balanced lug rig. I'm not sure I could make one myself but I'm willing to give it a go, if I can get the sail cloth.

The plans state the size as follows:

Head 2325
Foot 2175
Luff 1450
Leech 3050

It states that sail size is stretched, what does that mean?

I don't need a top of the line racing sail, it's just for cruising, nice and relaxed. What material to get? And where from? Preferably in Vic. 2nd hand is fine.

Thanks

Mike.

Buy a cheap blue tarp and build the first sail out of that.

clear tarp from bunnings with fiber through it stiffer and looks cool

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FabulousPhill said..
Not economically worthwhile building a boat, when you could buy a Mirror dinghy (10' 10") or similar for $600 to a grand, all inclusive.
I bought a sail of these people: isails.com/main-faq/ in autumn, a brand new sail for an 8 foot boat for $154 delivered.

I don't know what would be a suitable sail from the dimensions you quote, you might have to look at all the specs for each dinghy to find something close.
Lockdown is boring, depending on alternate hobbies/activities/work.

Hi Phil,

hope you have something to keep yourself busy during lock down.

The thing is I don't want a mirror dinghy, I couldn't find what I wanted for sale. So I did a search, asked for a materials list, got some prices and did a rough quote.

I decided on a Northumbrian 10'6" designed by Selway Fisher. Very much an older style dinghy, with oars and a balanced lug sail. Which should cost around $750 to $1000. The labour I do for love.

I'll have a look at "isails", thanks.

Cheers,
Mike.

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cisco said..
Question. What is more rewarding?
Building boats or sailing them????

Hi Cisco,

I'll let you know when I know, but I think Hort has the answer!

To be honest I'm really enjoying building the dinghy and when I'm finished I'll have a boat that I know the quality of the materials, the quality of workmanship, any weakness it may have. Also if there are any backyard bodge jobs hiding under the nice, shiny paint.

I'm not sure I'd build anything much bigger though, but for now I'm very happy with my project.

Cheers,

Mike.

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Ramona said..

Mike367 said..
So I've decided to build as 10 foot sailing, rowing dinghy, seems like a good idea as I couldn't find anything for sale quite like what I wanted. And it's a good project while I'm in stage 4 lockdown.

I've been ordering the materials online and doing what I can while waiting for the bits and bobs to arrive. One of the things I need is a sail for a balanced lug rig. I'm not sure I could make one myself but I'm willing to give it a go, if I can get the sail cloth.

The plans state the size as follows:

Head 2325
Foot 2175
Luff 1450
Leech 3050

It states that sail size is stretched, what does that mean?

I don't need a top of the line racing sail, it's just for cruising, nice and relaxed. What material to get? And where from? Preferably in Vic. 2nd hand is fine.

Thanks

Mike.

Buy a cheap blue tarp and build the first sail out of that.

Hi Ramona,

I hadn't thought of that, I was thinking of using a painters cloth drop sheet. A tarp would probably be cheaper and as a first off test sail would do the job.
I know I would hate it and would need to replace it quickly, but I think it's a good idea and it goes to the top of the list.

Cheers

Mike.

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boty said..

Ramona said..

Mike367 said..
So I've decided to build as 10 foot sailing, rowing dinghy, seems like a good idea as I couldn't find anything for sale quite like what I wanted. And it's a good project while I'm in stage 4 lockdown.

I've been ordering the materials online and doing what I can while waiting for the bits and bobs to arrive. One of the things I need is a sail for a balanced lug rig. I'm not sure I could make one myself but I'm willing to give it a go, if I can get the sail cloth.

The plans state the size as follows:

Head 2325
Foot 2175
Luff 1450
Leech 3050

It states that sail size is stretched, what does that mean?

I don't need a top of the line racing sail, it's just for cruising, nice and relaxed. What material to get? And where from? Preferably in Vic. 2nd hand is fine.

Thanks

Mike.

Buy a cheap blue tarp and build the first sail out of that.

clear tarp from bunnings with fiber through it stiffer and looks cool

Hi Boty,

I don't think Bunnings have clear tarp any more, I may have missed it and will have another look. The blue tarp is a great idea and I think the clear would look much better.

Thanks,

Mike

Search 'clear tarp' on eb*y
- plenty of choices size wise, cheap as chips!
eg: