Shakedown Cruise

[beamie]

Did you say before your plans were from the Bateau book?

When I was a kid one of my dads friends build a VeeGull from the glen L plans. Had a 4 cylinder Volvo Penta IO. That was also a good riding boat.
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[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by beamie

Did you say before your plans were from the Bateau book?

When I was a kid one of my dads friends build a VeeGull from the glen L plans. Had a 4 cylinder Volvo Penta IO. That was also a good riding boat.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Yes....the plans were from Bateau.com..... C 17 model..... but I modified to a center console open layout instead of the cuddy cabin the plans called for.

In a perfect world I would build again....and go bigger!
But my hands are loosing the ability to function without pain after 48 years of construction work. I would need help with the fairing and sanding for sure.
Seems like a lot of boats get started and then stall, be it finances or family/life situations.....It takes a total commitment to see it through to completion.

[afterhours]

[QUOTE=Rmarsh;1211398on
Seems like a lot of boats get started and then stall, be it finances or family/life situations.....It takes a total commitment to see it through to completion.[/QUOTE]

Great work guys! A friend built a 23' back in the day- took 6 years and a divorce.

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by afterhours

Great work guys! A friend built a 23' back in the day- took 6 years and a divorce.

....while I was trying to decide on which boat to build and before I ordered plans for it....an add on craigslist got my attention. Someone was selling a precut marine plywood kit for the very same hull I was considering.... asking $500.

I was still undecided... then the add reappeared at a new lower price of $300. It was a two hour ride and when I got there the seller showed me a pile of indistinguishable dust covered plywood in the garage. She explained that her recently divorced husband was always starting things he couldnt finish.
I hesitated.. then told her I would give her $200 .... she said "sure I just want it gone". I loaded the large pile of plywood parts into my truck and left quickly...
Turns out there was a large piece of the sole missing....cost me $100 for a sheet of marine ply to replace..... .advertised price for the kit is over $3,000..... so it was a deal...or as my buddy likes to remind me.... a steal.
I felt a little bad for the guy...

[beamie]

I will say this when it comes to building your own 'custom' or 'homemade' boat.

There are some great boats one can build, plywood over glass etc.

But unfortunately it is really all about the passion of doing something and satisfying yourself. For there really is not much resale value in it.

Which is unfortunate for there is nothing wrong with glassed over plywood. But most people get scared of the word wood.

So if you built a 20 footer for 12K, and put a 15K motor on it and had your labor in it. What is it worth? May 15k.

Not gonna get the same as a 20' grady...........

If you have skill and no big funds to buy a new production boat you can build a great fishing boat for allot of sweat and moderate amount of money and have allot of fun doing it.

But like after-hours said.....yes many get started and not finished.

[Rmarsh]

Beamie...you make some good points.
I never really considered resale value...although I'm sure I could get more than the $3,500 I paid for the outboard.
Building my own boat is the only way I would/could ever own one.
It's definitely not something I would recommend to the average person. I have a long history of building stuff....including a home I built for my bride and I when we married at 21 years old.
I jokingly told my wife and kids I wanted a viking funeral....they didnt think it was funny! Seriously though I want it to stay in the family for as long as it lasts...and it will certainly outlast me.
Also..... I have learned every aspect of my boats mechanical systems....because I installed all of it.