scbafreak via BoatKB.com wrote:

I have two options. Option one is two go with the 42' boat with a build time
of 10,000 to 12,000 hours rather than the 49' with a build time of 14,000 to
18,000 hours. Option two is to build as much as is needed for it to be

I'm going to go on for a bit. Please excuse the ramble.

1) The average person in the US, if they work full time @ 40
hrs/week, less some stat holidays, etc. is working 2000 hours a year.
So if you work on the 49' boat full time, 5 days a week, #2 will
take at least 9 years of solid labour. That's way too long. Both are
too long IMO. First time builders usually hit or exceed the longer
range of construction time estimates by the way.

2) Don't move into a project that is underway. Your productivity
will go way down when you have to unstick the cereal box from the
freshly varnished cabinetry.

4) Buy a boat instead. It's far more rational.

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/static...chooner_1.html
Here's a bunch. Some maybe in your price range.


5) I'm currently on a rebuilding project of a 40' catamaran. Much
smaller project than building a whole boat, though still significant.

I probably only have 700 hours (bit of a WAG) into it so far, because
I have a family and a young daughter who I want to spend time with
just as much as I want to build the boat. Timelime so far:

Winter/Spring 2005 - prefabricating composite cabin panels.

Summer 2005 - haulout for 1 month. Chainsaw out old middle
bridgedeck. De-step mast, new carbon fiber mast beam, install new
diesel, new bridgedeck cabin sole, cockpit sole. Cabin panels
screwed/some glassed into position. Mast restepped and back in the
water. Lots of help from friends that month

Summer 2005 - taping external seams/fairing

Fall 2005 - taping internal seams/fairing/painting inside cabin

Winter 2005/6 - fabricate bridgedeck cabin furniture

Spring 2006 - carbon fiber chainplates, install windows & hatches

Summer 2006 - fairing, fairing, more fairing

Fall 2006 - starting to paint exterior

Winter 2006/7 - new galley cabinets, install stove, sinks, cabinetry
[do you call it cabinetry if it's made of carbon fiber/Nomex?]
- redo electrical system

Spring 2007 - install deck hardware, finish painting, finish building
dinghy

Summer 2007 - go sailing for a change

Fall 2007 - install some systems (hot water heater, cabin heater,
pressure water, watermaker)

Winter 2007/8 - fabricate and install carbon fiber radar arch/dinghy
davits/solar panel stuff

Spring 2008 - buy the electronics, install, more lockers in cabins
etc. etc. etc.

Summer 2008 - just leave 'cause it will never be finished anyway


You may begin to get the idea of how long this sort of project will
take if you are not working on it full time. Progress can be measured
in decades and there are many busted dreams along the way.

I'm a naval architect/marine engineer so designing the cabin structure
and dealing with mechanical systems is simple to me. It's also not my
first boat. We have a clear vision of the steps needed, the timeline
and budget required, and the goal (leaving for offshore cruising
summer 2008). Good luck with your dream.

My boatbuilding blog: www.maiaaboard.blogspot.com

Evan Gatehouse