Custom Catamaran Cost & Builders

[Steve_C]

Originally Posted by GRIT

TP12.

Thanks for the compliments. I'll take photos when I can.


My apologies to the OP if our posts have pushed this thread off it's intended course.

Cheers.
Paul.

No Apology needed!!!!

I really appreciate your post, and I enjoyed the videos, please post more as you can!

I was looking at $500K or so for the full budget, but since I would want the entire structure complete before I start my part its looking like I would be pushing it for what I want. Most of the kit designs are NOT what I would prefer. I would also be very leary of having this done somewhere that I couldn't personally stay on top of the build process.

With the current world situation right now, I will very likely look at purchasing lightly used in the near future and doing some customization. I may be in a good situation to take advantage of the market conditions later this year.

At any rate, I do REALLY appreciate seeing what others have done.

Thanks for all the posts!!!

[GRIT]

I can't speak to the costs of a hull and deck. There was a fellow selling 48 foot catamaran hulls in Fl for $80,000. He'd build them as you wanted them, and from a mould. I think his business name was "ocean catamarans" or something similar.

We have not hit the $500,000 USD mark on our build, and don't expect to come near it. If that helps. We still have fairing and painting in the hulls to do, and some cosmetics in the pilot house. There's still a refrigerator to buy and install; but the instruments, batteries, wiring, heating, water systems, electric toilets, solar cells, watermaker, autopilot, deck gear, mast and sails, dinghy and outboard, are included in that figure. All equipment is installed, except for the sailing hardware, mast and rigging.

I agree, if things keep going the way they are, you'll have your choice of catamarans at a discount. And there is great value to be put on the time saved by NOT building.

Cheers, and good luck.
Paul.

[Sand crab]

Those ocean catamaran hulls were a Crowther design I think.

[Steve_C]

OFFSHORE CATAMARANS


https://www.offshorecatamarans.com/

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

OFFSHORE CATAMARANS


https://www.offshorecatamarans.com/

Looking at something like this US$130k to build your own basic structure is reasonable and maybe twice that for a closed structure if you got a builder to do the work. Then plus the same again for fitting out total US$390k leaves a contingency of US$110k within the US$500k budget.

In addition to the physical stuff there are lots of personal variables that will have an effect on this and are worth considering.
How old are you (and your partner)?
Are you sufficiently experienced to know what you want?
Are you still working?

A build and or a major refit is a big task and it will take longer than you expect, if you are in your twilight years then why waste cruising time building. Lots of abandoned projects are the result of ill health that usually happens to older builders.

Unlike buying a boat, building a custom boat requires lots of thinking. You effectively have a blank sheet and it is easy to make mistakes if you do not understand what you want. Just look at any hull #1 from a major manufacturer and you will often see quite radical changes and modifications on hulls #2 and #3 as a result of feedback.

If you are looking to sail off in a couple or three years then there is a lot to be said for fitting out a closed hull and deck. It will require dedication and a participating partner but can be achieved in stages with excellent results. If you are still at work you can't go full time sailing anyway. Under the right circumstances you can go sailing (partially equipped) in season and fit out off season that will give you an appreciation of what will and will not work.

If you get it right you will end up with a boat that will exceed in all respects something you can buy off the shelf.

[GRIT]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

OFFSHORE CATAMARANS


https://www.offshorecatamarans.com/

Yes, that's the fellow. He's pleasant to talk to on the phone, we had a lengthy conversation, regards wing masts.

Cheers.
Paul.

[tp12]

Originally Posted by GRIT

TP12.

Thanks for the compliments. I'll take photos when I can.


My apologies to the OP if our posts have pushed this thread off it's intended course.

Cheers.
Paul.

My pleasure. And yeah, please do take those pics when you can.


You lucky bugger...

[Steamer]

Originally Posted by Steve_C

OFFSHORE CATAMARANS


https://www.offshorecatamarans.com/

Don't feel confident with bridgedeck clearance when looking at the pics ...
May be I am wrong ...

[MIRELOS]

beautiful, congrats, did I see shafts instead of sail drives? if so ,great decision, I would never have sail drives

[GRIT]

Steamer: I agree, the clearance looks a bit short, to me. But if you're ordering the hulls, and building the rest yourself, you could have him raise the interior sides to whatever height you want.

Miralos: If that post is directed at me, thank you. Yes, we used shaft drives. I'm just not comfortable with sail-drives. It was more work, but, for me, it's worth the effort. We also installed external (to the transmission) thrust bearings, same theory as Aquadrive, but more "industrial", 1/10th the price, and easier to find parts. (VW)

Cheers.
Paul.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Steamer

Don't feel confident with bridgedeck clearance when looking at the pics ...
May be I am wrong ...

They appear to be derived from Crowther designs which are not known for low bridgedeck issues.

There are a couple of write ups here
42

https://www.blurb.co.uk/books/124661-skyus

than the 40

Crowther Offshore 40 catamaran Sonrisa - Bill Gibbs - AFTERBURNER

I scaled the line drawing for the 40 and it came out at 80cm plus

[Morph]

Look at building the boat in Australia or New Zealand--fantastically skilled builders and the exchange rate is nearly half. I had my boat built to lock up stage -- a Pescott Whitehaven 11.7m. I did the entire fit out and put the rig on. Loved every moment of it (apart from fairing the ceiling) but do not under estimate just how much work it is--took me 7 years part time. The key thing is to trust the builder, Ross Blair who did mine was amazing and as I was 12 hours drive away--I needed to trust him. To be frank there'd be a stack of builders here who would snap your hand off to build your boat! As someone suggested the Craig Schionning Spirited 480 is a fantastic boat and in kit form.

Also, do think about dagger boards--they make such a huge difference and also think about outboards. I had honda 20s. They lasted 10 years, were a third of the price, half the weight , no drag and there were no folding props to worry about/pay for. They also pushed us along at 9knots!

Phil

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Morph

Look at building the boat in Australia or New Zealand--fantastically skilled builders and the exchange rate is nearly half. I had my boat built to lock up stage -- a Pescott Whitehaven 11.7m. I did the entire fit out and put the rig on. Loved every moment of it (apart from fairing the ceiling) but do not under estimate just how much work it is--took me 7 years part time. The key thing is to trust the builder, Ross Blair who did mine was amazing and as I was 12 hours drive away--I needed to trust him. To be frank there'd be a stack of builders here who would snap your hand off to build your boat! As someone suggested the Craig Schionning Spirited 480 is a fantastic boat and in kit form.

Also, do think about dagger boards--they make such a huge difference and also think about outboards. I had honda 20s. They lasted 10 years, were a third of the price, half the weight , no drag and there were no folding props to worry about/pay for. They also pushed us along at 9knots!

Phil

For next time:

Fair the ceiling before you attach it.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Fair the ceiling before you attach it.

That's experience for you.
We used neoprene for our saloon ceiling each of the seven sections took a day each to glue in place with several days recovery to get the blood flow back in our arms.

In theory the job should have taken no more than a day, seven pieces using 2 part glue with a 20 min working time (2h 20m). An hour to set up and another couple for trimming.

Never underestimate how long boat building takes.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

That's experience for you.
We used neoprene for our saloon ceiling each of the seven sections took a day each to glue in place with several days recovery to get the blood flow back in our arms.

In theory the job should have taken no more than a day, seven pieces using 2 part glue with a 20 min working time (2h 20m). An hour to set up and another couple for trimming.

Never underestimate how long boat building takes.

Couldn't agree more.

I had a perfect faired ceiling attached and ready to paint when someone I hired to help put bog around the salon walls for fairing decided they would put it on the ceiling too.

Fast worker. They got a lot done before I could see the mistake. Now I get to install a drop ceiling.