Annie wrote:
I know you've just done it, but surely it would be more sensible to buy another sound, second-hand boat and convert it? The fact that you have just done it, would make it easier.
Don't forget it took me over 5 years to build my boat, working full time and full days. You would probably fit it out as David intended, in painted plywood and simple joinery (not that mine is complex by any means!), but even so ... I know more than a few people who built a larger boat for family sailing, only to spend so long building it that the children had grown up and left home by the time it was finished
If you really want to build a boat, then I would only encourage you. However, you say that isn't your main reason. Boats in USA are cheap: I'd at least look at what's available before committing myself to such a project, for all that it would be great for my boat to have sisters.
Annie,
I am replying here to avoid taking over the SibLim 10m topic.
If I build a boat it will be painted plywood. I like a utilitarian boat. I don't think I have the artistic spark to create something like Fanshi.
Used boats for sale in the USA are cheap. None of them have Junk rigs and usually they are cheap because they spent 20 or more years floating at a dock, mostly unused, and have developed that usual old boat smell that I think is some combination of mold and diesel fuel.
But I suppose even ripping out the interior and re-building it is less work than starting with building a shed and frames for a new hull. Maybe a new sailboat is just not part of my lot in life.
I created this new topic to ask for help finding a good candidate for doing a conversion. I want to sail my current boat for a few more years and make some more modifications but then I think I really want something with better accommodations.
This is the criteria I have in mind, in no particular order:
1. A production boat that is common enough that I will be able to find several of them for sale and pick the one in the best condition for the price.
2. Standing headroom for myself at 6' 1".
3. The best accommodations I can get while still keeping the boat small enough for me to sail single handed. I don't want a boat so big that I need help to get in and out of the marina, but I need to be able to sleep 4 people with some amount of comfort. I think this means a 30-ish foot boat, but I welcome input from anyone and everyone.
4. Seaworthy. I know that is a vague requirement. I am not sure how to be more specific.
5. Being able to trailer the boat is no longer a priority. A boat on jack stands for the winter is OK.
6. Shoal draft is not necessary.
Any ideas?