Building my first sailboat :] how to go about doing it?

Question

ok so this will be my first sailboat build : http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=SailBoats/BlueMoon

and so i am here to ask what cheaper alternative materials could be used aside from marine plywood. the article says you can build for 500 dollars but this was back in the 70's. now just the marine plywood would be roughly 936 dollars. i would like to keep this 1000 dollars or less so what would you suggest?

note this will be used in saltwater a fair amout and i would like to kepp it for as long as possible.

thank you :]

Answer 1

if you're set on building a sailboat, the advice previously given on it's cost being 1,000's of dollars is pretty good.

If you just want a cheap sailboat, try a lien auction at any marina.  We just had one and friend of mine bought a real nice 26' C&C with wheel and an 8hp diesel for $100. It's over 30 years old but in great shape. Just needs paint, stuffing box rebuilt, new shaft and water pump. Sails were surprisingly in good condition. They taken it out several times before they hauled it out to work on it. Not counting labor, they'll end up with a nice solid little sloop for under $1,000 or so.  Call all the marinas you can find or email them. Check Craigs List and local boat yards that haul abandoned boats out.

Answer 2

Marine Plywood has risen in price leaps and bounds.   Don't cut corners when building, it will come back to bite you later.  

Fiberglass is an option, but not cheaper, and you will still need a frame or formed up plan.

Answer 3

I certainly do not want to "pop" your balloon of enthusiam...

I build boats and I encourage people all the time...

I think it is a fantastic thing to do...

but you need to do it for the right reasons...



You can not build this boat safely for $1,000 or less.  Building this boat will cost you certainly between $4,000 and $5,000... probably closer to $5,000.  (plus - do you live on the water, or do you also need a trailer?)  You not only have $1,000 in plywood, you have $1,000 in epoxy and fiberglass.

So let me make a couple of suggestions here...

I feel you are looking to build this boat - more because you have "free" plans & because you thought it would be "cheap".

So... think again!

Even at $4,000 - your main cost will not be the actual money out of your pocket - but instead, the blood, sweat, and tears of your time and labor... so make sure you make your time worth your effort.  Make sure you build something you will be really proud of.

There are a lot of boat plans "out there" that one can build and have a wonderful and beautiful boat that is safer, stronger, will last longer than anything on the market today at twice the price... but still, it is not a cheap proposition by any means.

I suggest, you pick a bigger, better plans, and spread the costs out by taking your time to build it - the way it should be built... You will be very proud of the results if you do.

Happy & Safe Boating.

  

Visit >  www.glenl.com <

             You will see what I am talking about.

Answer 4

If you want to build a boat to save money or to learn some of the skills needed, I would suggest that you start small and cheap.  If you just want to get out on the water, may I suggest a boat called a PD Racer.  Yes, it is not the best looking boat out there, but it will allow you to work on your skills in boat building and get on the water.

http://www.pdracer.com/

Answer 5

Before attempting to build a boat, especially a wooden sailboat, one should become acquainted with the work of Phil Bolger, JIM Michalak, James Wharram, Derek Kelsall and Glen-L. You can Google or Wikipedia these names for their links. Check out Yahoo groups related to boat building and sailing as well.

I have a friend who successfully built and now sails a wooden 'Core Sound' with plans from http://www.greatfallsboatworks.com/

If you want to keep the cost down, Shorty Pen has plans for very low cost boats.

A good resource for boat builders is also available here:

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/index.c...

Answer 6

Go talk to a mental health professional.

You are delusional.

I'm not trying to be mean, but this is comparable to thinking that you can poke a gorilla in the eyeball and not get pulverized.

It ain't gonna happen.

Sorry.