I had typed up a considerable reply only to have he forum software throw it out because of a glitch. So here is the summary.
Firstly, does anybody have any projected cost break downs on what it costs to build a boat vs buying a boat “off the shelf”.
My homebuild was only some 20 % cheaper then the commercially offered F16's. Back in the day however there were no F16's (I have the very first one) and so homebuilding was the only option. Don't do because you expect to safe alot of money, you won't.
Homebuilding is something you must consider when you want to life the experience of building or because you want something that no commercial builder can offer you. Otherwise just get a second job in the evening working in a bar and earn the difference in purchase cost that way. This is quicker and easier.
I’d be especially interested in the price for a mast (alloy), foils, sails, cross beams/tramp, and rigging/fittings.
Phill can tell you all on this. Mast blank is I believe 850 Aus, but a very large portion is added by the mast fittings, halyards etc. Beams are cheap and you can buy a good set of the commercial Aus Blade builder (Marcus), Tramp you can easily make yourself and is inexpensive. Sails are expensive, there is no way around that; don't try to make these yourself as a good set is very hard to make and requires multiple tries. Additionally sailing an F16 with a bad set of sails is simply no fun. All rigging is expensive. Foils/rudders seem to be less expensive then most people realize and very good commercial sets can be had for the F16. The best set, so far, can be had of
www.catamaranparts.nl for, what I think, is a very respectable pricing. Shipping these items is also not expensive as they small and light.
Finally I've heard that the blade is more suitable for carrying heavier weight, what would be the ideal weight range? I weigh 100kg, and would be sailing solo, as well as with a crew (most like my partner) who weighs around 65kg.
It confirm that. This is indeed my opinion. I have a Taipan F16 myself and 2 others have Blade F16's at my club. A few times I sailed the Blade F16 and I found it to be more calm then my Taipan and significantly more capable to carry weight in a competitive sense. We've sailed it at 165 kg combined in chop and it felt just fine. That weight on my Taipan will start to feel sluggish.
Of all the homebuildable plans for racing boats that I know of (Taipan, Blade, Mosquito, A-cat, Tornado), both the Blade and Tornado will carry crew weight the best. And the Blade has the most extensive building instructions and best direct support (Phill) of them all.
I look forward to hearing from you all, I’m located in Victoria (Australia).
The Australian Blade Builder is located in Southern Australia and you should really take a look there. Or get Gary Maskiel (Victoria) to take you for a ride when his boat has been delivered. Why ?
Well I'll give you the advice that was given to me when I was considering homebuilding. It will safe you alot of time (and ready to sail boat weight) when you just buy two commercially offered hulls and then finish the boat off yourself. This still leave a very large portion of the homebuilding experience including the parts you may well want to do differently. This will get you on the water about a year earlier and by now it is very hard to compete with the commericially build hulls when homebuilding. That is in the way of weight and shape. It can be done but it will take dedication and alot of care to worling cleanly and accurately.
I would go the second route. It is simply the best of both worlds. So that is why I advice you check out the Aussie build hulls and see if they are indeed good enough to convince you to go this route as well.
Go to this thread to see pics of these hulls :
http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...er=108517&Main=107988#Post108517Wouter
