Anyone with boat building experience?

S

steveo_the_newbie

Cadet
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Messages
10
I'm almost done with my current project, just having some trouble with the engine (yes I have another post asking about it). However, I already have my sights set on my next project.

I think I'm going to get one of those 'boat kits' and try building one from the ground up. It'll be lightyears ahead of what I've done, but I'll never learn anything if I don't aim high, right?

So has anyone had experience in this department? I know its going to take a lot of time, effort and green. Any tips? Links? Suggestions? Hidden costs?

And how would you go about getting the numbers and such for you boat? I don't want there to be an 'oh by the way, it'll be two grand for a mandatory safety inspection' or any of those type of costs. Anyway, just wondering if anyone is experienced with this. Thanks.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: Anyone with boat building experience?

You should hail Crab Bait. He built a nice boat.
 
K

KRS

Banned
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
2,383
Re: Anyone with boat building experience?

built two stitch and glue boats... it's easy and enjoyable. Read the info from West System on their epoxy and boatbuilding (see their website).

Glen-L has lots of designs.
 
F

fishingdan

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,045
Re: Anyone with boat building experience?

I have done it 2 times myself. It is very enjoyable. The cost is roughly equivalent to buying a decent used boat of similar design. The boat picture in my avatar was the latest. A 16' center console design from www.glen-L.com.

Getting the boat inspected and registered is nothing at all. The biggest surprise for some is that they don't realize that they must pay sales tax (at least in most states) on the materials used to build the boat if you didn't pay sales tax on those items or can't prove that they did. Keep the receipts.

A couple of good sites:

www.boatplans-online.com (great designs, great support, building method uses latest available materials).

www.glen-L.com (Many designs, but many are from the 50s/60s, site has designs for 3 different building methods, support not as good as the above site).
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Anyone with boat building experience?

check with your state registry, in Florida 1 always register mine as being 15'9" as they don't have to be inspected. keep the receipts showing the sales tax, as fishingdan said.
 
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