Building a boat is one of the most rewarding projects you can engage in. Before you begin, though, it’s important to have an idea of the boat’s size and ask yourself: how much would it cost to build a boat like this? With this information, you can carve out a budget that can guide you seamlessly throughout the construction process.
What to Consider
Depending on the kind of boat you want to build, the cost can be shaped by different factors, the main ones being:
1. Materials
The boat’s materials have a huge bearing on the cost. For instance, if you opt for fiberglass instead of wood, expect a venture that’s considerably more costly. Then, there’s also the issue of how much of this expensive product you’ll need to use. Naturally, a larger boat would require more of it and, as such, be a lot pricier to construct.
2. Labor
Boatbuilding requires considerable time and effort on your team’s part. In most cases, you’re going to need paid assistance to get the job done right. When you factor in the help of professionals, you must also consider the fees you have to pay them as part of the budget.
3. Accessories
Accessories also determine how much you’ll be spending on your boat’s construction. They include the range of tools and equipment that have to be secured for the building of the vessel.
Even when you complete the job on your own, without considering labor and accessories, the cost to build a boat, overall, may still vary. The project may set you back around $2,000 for a smaller boat and $10,000 for a larger one.
Should You Go for Second-Hand Boats?
With all the hours you need to put into building your own boat, why not just go for a second-hand one? Just think about it. In constructing your vessel by yourself, you will have to be directly involved in everything—from the planning and designing to the actual building. That’s plenty of hours of labor costs to add to the material expense, which may cause you to rethink the way you want to proceed with your venture.
Buying yourself a second-hand boat means you don’t have to worry about all these. If you’re not doing too bad in the salary department, and the only reason you’re looking to build your own boat is to save money, then it’s worth it to consider putting more hours into your day job to save for a boat purchase instead.
The Rewarding Experience of Building Boats
If you’re looking to make a hobby out of building boats, then good for you! There aren’t many hobbies out there that can give you an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you’re building the deck or a shed or engaging in other small projects, time just flies by when you love boat construction.
A project that involves creating a vessel that allows you to sail across the sea can really take your experience to a different level. Thus, it becomes more than just about saving money; it also becomes about the joy and satisfaction of completing something that took years to make. This, alone, would be worth more than any boat money can buy.
More often than not, a boat you built with your own hands will have more value than a vessel you bought with cash. This is because so much of your creativity and personal touch will be reflected in the boat, making it more precious. Additionally, even if you’re going by a plan, you can still alter several aspects of the building process so that the end result meets your needs and preferences.
Taking things at face value, the acquisition of a boat through buying versus its acquisition through building doesn’t really tell the entire story. If you want to make your own boat because you love to do it or want to develop it as a hobby, then you’re looking at it as more than just a money-saving project. You are seeing it as something that could enrich you with experience and allow you to learn skills you never thought you’d have.
Final Thoughts
Before you get into boat building, you must figure out your reasons for engaging in the venture in the first place. Is it something you love and want to develop as a hobby or just something you’re doing because you want to save money?
If it’s the former, then you can go on ahead and start planning your project; don’t forget to consider the material, labor, and accessory costs that can help you set an accurate budget—either for a small one or a big one. If it’s the latter, then you’ll probably be better off putting in more hours at work to buy yourself a good-quality second-hand boat.
