What boat should I build?

Part 3 - some questions, or deeper analysis of our choice.

In part one we determined my builder profile (I am playing at being the first time builder to illustrate the method), and in part two chose a boat and method.

Today we are going to play with some numbers. A reader writes: "Isn't 8.50 metres (28') too big for a first time build?". Excellent question! What is the maximum size a first time builder can tackle? Well it depends... We looked at lots of the factors in "Should I build" back in November 2005. Lets go a little further today, first look at the program. Back in the '70s the length of a boat for our program - weekends in the islands and some costal cruising during the holidays - was defined in the following manner:

• one cabin per couple = 2 metres
• common space = 2 metres
• galley = 1.50 metres
• bathroom = 1 metre
• sails and material = 1 metre
• engine room = 1 metre

Which gives us a total for a couple of 8-8.50 metres. Since then naval architecture has evolved quite a bit and today a modern sailing monohull of 8.50 metres can host two couples or a family of four in comfort for that period of time.

For a multihull other factors come into play but still a catamaran like the Punch has four single berths, a minimal galley and a toilet area with sink and chemical WC. The common living area is outside on the platform between the hulls. When the boat is moored a tent can be set here as additional protection from the weather. So our boat isn't too small. Is it too big? 8.50 metres is about the largest boat you can build in a relatively short period of time. Remember that if you build cleanly and quickly the project will not become a chore. It is a size that can be handled by a family team with the builder doing most of the work alone and helping hands assisting from time to time on those tasks that can not be done alone. Friends and neighbours being called on for hull turning and other heavy lifting.

It will fit in the average European suburban garden - this boat can not be built in a garage! It can also be stored there during the winter months saving marina fees. Our catamaran can be taken apart and transported with little effort - an average SUV can tow it. Once we go over this size then I believe the project will require two builders. In these pages you have a couple of exceptions. To be quite frank with you, I do not see myself building a 40' multihull alone (as a family team). I have seen number of first time builders take on the construction of a 10-12 metre monohull to "sail around the world". The result was often a broken home, empty bank account and unfinished hull rotting away in some desolate corner of rural France...

And on the water? I think it is the ideal size for a short handed fast cruiser. It can be sailed solo, the sails are a size that is not to much to handle with modern rigging and gear. I have sailed a much sportier 8.50 metre cat and it was much easier to handle than my 15' beach cat! It will go the distance in the alotted time frame - this boat is capable of 12+ knot averages in moderate to light winds.

As for the budget, it won't cost too much to build and, more important still, to maintain. During the sailing season it can be moored on a tidal mud flat, it has long keels to sit on. A 6 HP four stroke outboard will push it along quite nicely when needed.

Now that we have convinced ourselves that we can go all the way, we need a master plan... Next time we will look at other types of boats and styles of navigation.

Tony Grant [kiwi]