It's fun to read you guys talking about picking new cats.

[SpeedsterX]

Originally Posted by salticrak

Here you go.
paul anderson's Photos - Wharram Builders and Friends

That's just crazy cool! It blows my mind that people actually do this! I think of it in a way of someone building their own car from scratch. Who does that??? Well you do evidently. lol

Great job and best of luck on the completion. Love to see the finished product!

How long did it take?
What's the length?
Are you doing the 3-4 cabin thing or making more room for yourself?

[salticrak]

It's a 26 ft cat, so by modern standards she is small, yet capable.The boat as you can see is minimalist in it's accommodation. I plan to singlehand a lot but there is room for one more.It has taken me about three years, working 3 to four days a week or as money came in.

[Sand crab]

Just buy a tri.

[salticrak]

Hoo boy

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by SpeedsterX

That's just crazy cool! It blows my mind that people actually do this! I think of it in a way of someone building their own car from scratch. Who does that??? Well you do evidently. lol

Great job and best of luck on the completion. Love to see the finished product!

How long did it take?
What's the length?
Are you doing the 3-4 cabin thing or making more room for yourself?

More people do it than you might think.
I was going to post a link to a builder's forum but it seems to be down at the moment. There are guys building fantastic boats in backyards all over Australia.

Here's my own effort: http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=500&userid=3477

With second-hand boat prices so low these days, building your own is harder to justify on purely economic grounds, but it's very satisfying, and still the cheapest way to get into a NEW boat.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

More people do it than you might think. I was going to post a link to a builder's forum but it seems to be down at the moment. There are guys building fantastic boats in backyards all over Australia. Here's my own effort: http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...00&userid=3477 With second-hand boat prices so low these days, building your own is harder to justify on purely economic grounds, but it's very satisfying, and still the cheapest way to get into a NEW boat.

Seriously gorgeous cat. If only I knew the first damn thing about boat building...

[44'cruisingcat]

Thanks! Here's that forum: http://diy-yachts.com/forum/

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Thanks! Here's that forum: http://diy-yachts.com/forum/

Not including your own time, if you don't mind, what the final price on that beauty?

[44'cruisingcat]

Around $200k Aus.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Around $200k Aus.

That's a fantastic price for a brand new cat!

[SpeedsterX]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

More people do it than you might think.
I was going to post a link to a builder's forum but it seems to be down at the moment. There are guys building fantastic boats in backyards all over Australia.

Here's my own effort: http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=500&userid=3477

With second-hand boat prices so low these days, building your own is harder to justify on purely economic grounds, but it's very satisfying, and still the cheapest way to get into a NEW boat.

That's awesome and beautiful! Great job!

Originally Posted by MBLittle

Seriously gorgeous cat. If only I knew the first damn thing about boat building...

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Around $200k Aus.

What's that in US?

Disregard, found out it almost the same.

[Sundancer628]

Vary interesting reading about everyone who is going to take up sailing and purchase and upgrade a boat after they retire. Hope you all are retiring early. Not an expert here, but been sailing for over 40 years. Isn't starting this hobby at 60ish a bit of a bold move for a newbie? How old is the average sailor on here that started this in later life??

Just curious.

[Strait Shooter]

I was 50.

[Roy M]

SpeedsterX, Seven years gives you enough time to get some experience and training so you can hit the ground running with retirement. Get to know some folks at a nearby yacht club who can take you out sailing on ANYTHING that floats. The skills are the same that you will use on a multihull, except you will be happier with the speed of the multi. Learn how to trim sails, anchor, navigate, communicate, repair broken gear, how to choose which sail for the weather conditions, how to row a dinghy, become a better swimmer or diver. Learn how to fish, repair a diesel, change a boat battery, tie the boat up at the end of the day and drink beer like a sailor (cursing like one is probably not going to be a challenge). Don't sit idly by and wait for the time that you can drop some bucks and untie the docklines. This is a good time to get ready.

[Scubatony]

Great points all. Building your own and living the dream helps keep the dream alive! There is something inspiring about those that can.
Wife and I have been planning, saving and learning for the lasts 18 months. Originally we were shooting for an ex charter production cat in the 200k range but that was dependant on the sale of our house of course. We contemplated a loan until the house sold?
We recently changed our plan and decided going now is a better plan. So we sucked it up and found an older well equipped and cared for Gemini that we can live with. Great starter boat and we may find we don't need more. If we do then at least we are sailing it now and learning while we can until the house sells and we can upgrade.
Beauty of this is if we maintain her well we will likely get about the same price for her when we sell her as we paid for it?
No debt. Is always a better option.
Taking delivery first of next month and very excited!
ST