Where to build??

[siolaakis]

Hi, I am planing to build a wooden sailboat by myself. Now regardless of what design, I would like to know where is it cheaper to build in terms of wood and hardware prices. I do have several choices: USA, Britain,Ireland or anywhere in European union.I also thought about building in Malaysia since I heard that the wood is cheap there and they do have good boat builders/craftsman, in the case one would need help and advise.So please let me know if you have an idea.
Thank you Akis

[Wild Dingo]

Best advice I keep geting is Indonesia, Thialand around that area... I recall Jerry Souza once saying that India is also a pretty good option for price and workmanship

As far as Im aware US = expensive
Europe = expensive
UK = expensive

Aussie = WAY WAY OVERLY TERRIBLY SHOCKINGLY EXPENSIVE!!!... unless your a frugal sort like young Peter Sibley whos buildin a mighty fine looking pilot boat sorta design out in the scrub... but it can be done!!! Just as it can be done anywhere with a heart and will :cool: and plenty of access to funds :rolleyes:

Best with it mate! and welcome to the forum by the way :cool:

Edited to add... I just noticed your in Germany we have a couple of bods here from that particular country in Martin and Otter so maybe they'll poke their heads in and give you some suggestions based on location?

[ 07-26-2004, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: Wild Dingo ]

[Ken Hutchins]

I think the most important thing is availability of good quaility hardware materials, since you plan on building yourself the labor rates are not an issue. There are a lot of places where wood is cheaper but the good hardware probably won't be available in those places. The wood in a boat is only a small fraction of the total cost, the fastenings, hardware, rigging, sails, etc, etc. is a bigger issue. Yes this stuff is available elsewhere, but at a higher cost I'm sure unless you settle for poor quality, or the savings on the wood will be more than offset by shipping costs for the good hardware.
So, IMO the 2 best places are USA and UK.

[Klaus]

Well, I built my NIS 26 right here in Australia, where I also happen to live. I think that moving someplace just to build a boat might negate any savings that could be had due to the locality. Moving costs are not cheap, renting/ buying a place to live and to build the boat, getting a job to pay for it....

Or are you one of the lucky ones who does not have to worry about these trifle details? ;)
Klaus

[paladin]

Excellent wood etc is available in Thailand at a cost far less than anywhere else. All the major epoxies, fiberglass, Xynole fabric etc are available at a fraction of U.S. cost. You can get a factory rebuilt Yanmar engine that absolutely looks and runs like a brand new unit from the factory for less than half the new U.S. or Canadian cost....also ...Items that need to be purchased as U.S. or Canadian material can be imported and purchased in Thailand for less than wholesale prices...U.S. etc.. ....For instance..the landed cost in Thailand of my Dickenson cooker and heater was less than the local (U.S. or canadian wholesale price...the Baby Blake head was delivered and duties paid for less than $600 as against the Defender catalog price of nearly $2200........
The only drawback is the time..it will take them 4-5 times the number of man hours to build the boat...but when you are paying 5-8 dollars per hour for skilled labor and 11 cents an hour people to carry wood and sand the hull.....it still comes out a heckuva lot cheaper. I could never afford to build my boat in the U.S...it would still cost more in raw materials plus 5-8 years work for what I paid.....

[Andrew S/Y Rocquette]

Bit out of left field this one, but I just got back from honeymoon in Zanzibar, where I saw some pretty impressive dhow buiding on the beach at Nungwi on the north coast. Excellent craftmanship and woods (wood comes from Tanzanian mainland near Dar es Salaam) - no infrastrucure and would need to import all fastenings etc., but an interesting alternative! Politically quite stable, albeit somewhat corrupt and increasing instances of crime, weather excellent outside the March to May rainy season, GDP is some USD 280 per person (Thailand is some USD 2300 by comparison...). As I said, a bit out of left field...!