On another forum this subject came up...
Quote:
| Originally Posted by richardproeller I have been sailing and chartering many years on my 52 feet monohull incl. 4 Atlantic crossings, but that was all about 11 years ago. Since then I have always had the idea to build a "big" catamaran for worldwide cruising and chartering.
I'm basically looking for a boatyard anywhere in the world capable of building the hull in aluminum to my drawings and specifications at a high level of production quality and with qualified welders and workers. The rest of the construction will be done by myself together with local workers and friends to save on costs. Somebody can point me in the right direction where I could build such a boat and what I have to expect in costs for such a construction.
I read here a while ago about prices from 6 to 10 US Dollars per kilo of structure in Thailand. Is that still realistic, as it sounds pretty good to me.
Any input is greatly appreciated |
Hello Richard,
If you wish to look at SE Asia for your alum project, I might suggest you contact Bob Mott who is doing some nice 50 footers in alum. I believe he is going about with proper alum materials and welders. He is actually building in Malaysia. I met him in Thailand several years ago when he was initially looking for a builder, and I've followed his project sparingly.
Am I to assume you already have the design you wish to build? And why are you so set on alum?
That's a pretty big cat you have in mind. What portion of the charter market are you aiming at, and what location for the charters? At the high end of the charter market you might not need so large an accomodation (vessel). Have you talked with a charter specialist? I know of one, and this one has done lots of work with large cats.
Here's one alternative idea in charter....remote area fishing groups. I once had several gentlemen talking to me about building 6 of my gamefishing cats and stationing them around the world in various prime, remote, big-game fishing areas
in lieu of a 'mothership operation' that was anchored to one location and had to be moved as a whole entity.
They figured the cost equation was near the same at 6 of my vessels.