A CLC kayack would be a great way to get your feet wet with the tools and building techniques. I live about 5 minutes from thier factory and have seen thier kits and manuals. I even plan on bulding one in the next few years. The idea is you can try out boat building for about $1000 US for a nice kayak (completed) and one winter of building. They also use the same wood, 4mm Okume.

I would not have bought a kit if the goal was to learn how to build boats. Reading plans, thinking a bit, and then being able to loft the parts you want is essential for when you are about to begin on a larger project without a pre-cut kit. If one wants to go via the kayak route, building after plans are a far better exercise.

You can buy just plans for most of the kayak models. As Rolf said doing everything from scratch will definitely let you know if you like boat building.

Wow... Lots of ideas and discussions around here. Really interesting…

Just a precision, my goal is to build a cat to have fun on the water and gain experience on boat building. For those reasons, I don’t want to spend 10 000 Euros on this boat. But to build a good hull, like the blade, and fit it with correct fittings, mast and all, but not racing quality seems to me a good idea. I understand that the resale value and performances will not be the same but that’s ok for me.

Just a few words on my background. I currently sail on a 35 feet cruising sailboat (on lake Champlain, NY) on witch I did a lot of upgrade. So working on a boat and installing new systems like autopilots, frig or working on diesel engine is not really a problem for me. But the kids grows older each years and it’s time for us to sell this boat. Two years ago, we had a cruise, my wife, our three daughters and me, from Canada to Bahamas for 9 month. Believe me, that’s the real life. So I look for ways to stiil have fun on the water and prepare our future project that is to have a cruising catamaran to cruise around the world (when the kids will be old enough, so I have some time).

Why not a kayak? Just because I love sailing. Also, I think the kids will love that too. It will be a good motivation to finish the boat. If I can achieve a nice result on a blade, I think I will go for a large one. Just for the pleasure to build it by myself.

Thanks again for all your comments and ideas.

Alain

While you're there, have a look at this! I actually own a set of these plans, thinking someday, maybe. . .?
http://www.clcboats.com/boats/pacificproa.php

Alain,

If a world cruising cat is your end desire, I would reconsider the building method. Farrier's F41 is not a wood boat, but a foam core boat. Farrier went this way because it saved so much time and weight over the wood designs he began with. If the Farrier boat is more of what you want, then consider a smaller foam core boat as a project, maybe the F22 trimaran. This is where I ended up when I was considering a cruising cat as a project when I retire. Just some food for thought.

You should also check out CLC's sailing rig for the Chesapeake series kayaks. I have sailed this and I was very impressed. It's no catamaran, but it is lots of fun.

Alain,

I have been working on a new design for a homebuild, the idea is for a very cheap catamaran, The hull material cost will be similar to a normal cat but it will be very quick to build, more like 40 hours, and it uses the same biplane windsurfing rig that we use on our four hulled boat. As most people have said it is the rig that is one of the most expensive components, but two windsurfing rigs are much cheaper, cheaper still if you get them 2nd hand on ebay. Biplane rigs perform really well. Also the design should scale up to a bigger boat if it proves succesful.

It won't be the same performance as a blade but will be better than a Wharram, more like a H16.

I am looking for a guinea pig for my new design as I am too busy with my four hulled boat and a childrens monohull to progress this idea this year. If you are interested I will supply free plans to your specification (length, width and payload) so long as you don't pass them on.

You can contact me via gareth at fourhulls.com

All the best

Gareth
www.fourhulls.com

Alain,

http://www.f-boat.com/index.html

This website for Farrier provides a wealth of information. I just revisited it an know remember all the good information of why vertical strip foam construction is recommended, even though wood constuction is still an option for these designs. Make sure read the sections on Construction and Catamarans. Whatever your choice, I wish you all the best in pursuit of your sailing vessels!

If you are building a small cat to improve your skills in order to build a bigger multihull for cruising afterwards, you should take a look at Ian Farrier's and Derek Kelsall's designs and construction methods. Vertical foam stripping and KSS seem to be the way to go.

Good luck.

You're right, the foam strip seems to be a good method and Farrier design are interesting. I'll have a look at that too. What I didn't see for now is what are the technologies needed to build that at home.

Anyway, I'll take some time to decide what can be final building method and I will build a small cat to get experience with the selected method.

Thanks,

Alain

Alain:

There are 70 photos here. http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules...mp;file=index&include=view_album.php
Hope this will help in deciding on Blade. Found it while surfing.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com Check out our site some time.