Building A New Boat Process

[N4061]

I recognize not everyone on Trawler Forum (including myself) reads all the different threads from all the different sections so I thought I would make a quick post under this "General Discussion" section for anyone interested in following the process of a "new boat build" you can read our weekly posts under:

Builders / Custom - Retro-fit / Contract Sign New Build

http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s25/contract-signed-new-build-underway-23188.html

Our intent to is try and provide insight into the decision process of selecting a trawler and what really goes into building a new boat real time. Please join us on this journey and feel free to post comments and ask questions. Happy holidays!

John T.

 

[Phil Fill]

Over the years several have shared the process of building a new boat. Keep is posted, but remember if you ask for information or help, you will so many different information you will probably be more confused.

 

[FF]

The first and hardest part is deciding JUST what you want , and working with a builder that will accomidate your desirements.

Boat assemblers are like house builders they want to minimize risk and simply copy what they last built , perhaps dumping some ideas or parts that didn't work out.

No vessel can ever be maint free but things like dissolving decks , leaking windows , difficult R&R of major items , unserviceable fuel boxes and dozens of other items can be cured before the build begins.

Good luck in finding the right builder.

 

[BerettaRacer]

I've been the project engineer / owner's rep for about 10 mega yacht new builds, boxed in between the owner and shipyard. So much goes on behind the scenes.

 

[eyschulman]

A major aspect of building a boat is forking over a lot of $ and the more custom the boat the less it will be worth one week after you launch it. If you have good reason to build go for it and LOL.

 

[FF]

"the more custom the boat the less it will be worth one week after you launch it."

That really depends , a custom hull ,LLoyds 100A+ to go North passage cruising , perhaps. Not many folks share that dream.

A stock cookie with better than average White Boat outfitting there will still be losses but perhaps less.

A true custom build ,, design , hull and deck will stand on the boats merits , if its GREAT , someone may pay extra to not have a 2 year wait.

 

[eyschulman]

"the more custom the boat the less it will be worth one week after you launch it."

That really depends , a custom hull ,LLoyds 100A+ to go North passage cruising , perhaps. Not many folks share that dream.

A stock cookie with better than average White Boat outfitting there will still be losses but perhaps less.

A true custom build ,, design , hull and deck will stand on the boats merits , if its GREAT , someone may pay extra to not have a 2 year wait.

What you say rings true. But it's all about the odds and they I believe are heavily against the custom built boat mainly because of three factors. I, the production boat is what it is because that's what most want. 2, The custom boat lacks the efficiency of build of a production model and if high quality can be very labor intensive and expensive. 3, the production boat carries all the past and future advertising and potential backing of the brand name.

 

[eyschulman]

Another hint if you go custom. Hire a very competent professional to monitor the build and have this as part of your(don't just sign the builders contract) contract which should be drawn up by your marine lawyers familiar with boat build process. Have payments dependent on inspection and landmarks with approval of your third person representative and avoid allowing the builder to get ahead of you. If the boat on the shop floor has a value far less than what you have paid out the builder will have you over a barrel. Have provisions for what happens if you or your expert representative does not like the quality of some in progress work by the builder or the builders sub contractor. This is a complicated process and trust only works with some people so be prepared there is probably a lot of money at stake.

 

[FF]

The better yards , say Abeking & Rasmusen can design , build and deliver with little except internal oversight.

As always you get what you pay for.

A stock cookie boat is the easiest to sell for the assembler ,

but may not work for an experienced owner.

 

[Bob Cofer]

Thanks for the invitation, we look forward to following along.