Has anyone here ever had a boat built for them?

[Randy Leo]

I've procrastinated long enough!!! Instead of taking the next three years of spare time trying to build a 25+ foot boat in and around my garage I've decided that what I need to do is have someone build me a hull. I'll paint, do finish work, install the hardware and rig out the motor myself.

Would any one here be willing to share their experiences in these matters?

Any opinions/recommendations on boatyards that would be willing to take on a project like this?

Regards all!
Randy Leo

[Ariel]

Yes. Plan to have patience.

[Charlie J]

I'm a wooden boat builder in Victoria Texas, and I just sent you an Email on the subject.

[wyhjr]

I did indeed! It wasn't a 25 footer but a great experience none the less.
About 7 or 8 years ago at the Wooden Boat show in Southwest Harbor, we meet a builder showing a 12 ft. lapstrake dinghy which was just what we wanted. We met with him and his wife in their home and discussed options and details for hours. We went ahead and gave him a deposit and went home(1500mi away) to wait for the boat. The following spring after numerous letters and phone calls deciding various issues, we returned to Maine.
The builder and his wife accompanied us to a local lake for a launching complete with champagne.
All in all it was a great experience! Still have the boat. Sail and row it on a small lake in the midwest.

[rbgarr]

Although it's about the building of a fiberglass 'lobsteryacht', here's a series of articles written about the process of having a 32' boat built. There's a list of all the articles in the series at the end of this (the last) article about the boat.

http://camden.villagesoup.com/Opinions/GuestCols.cfm?StoryID=1233

If you haven't decided on a design, the process described in Antonio Dias' book "Designer and Client' is also valuable.

Good luck!

[ 08-10-2003, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: rbgarr ]

[Randy Leo]

Thanks all for sharing!

rgbarr,
Have you heard about that new theory on 'Six clicks of separation?'

Funny that you would refer me Virginia Thorndike's series of articles about Ruffian.

I met Ms. Thorndike in Rockland one cold day in late January, 2001. She had spent a day or two on USCGC Thunder Bay while they broke ice in the Penobscot and they were leaving the cutter as as I was waiting to go aboard for a tour.

Regards,
R

[ 08-11-2003, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Randy Leo ]