| You've seen them a hundred times -- partially | | | | you want something above 40 feet, this could |
| finished hulls resting on supports in the back yard | | | | easily turn into a twenty-year project, unless you |
| of an ambitious sailor building his own boat. | | | | are heir to a windfall. |
| Sometimes, it takes years and you wonder if | | | | Once you've determined the size of the boat you |
| they ever actually do any work on the vessel. | | | | wish to build, think of the use. If you want speed, |
| The answer is yes and no. Boat building requires a | | | | you'll want a long and skinny hull design. Taking the |
| lot of preplanning before actually beginning this | | | | family for long cruises, you'll want comfort, |
| task. Those yards that seem to have an | | | | stability, and maneuverability, which means a |
| unfinished craft up on stilts for years generally | | | | shorter, fatter, slower hull design. Both boat |
| have an owner who either didn't really know what | | | | building designs should move through the water |
| type of sailing he planned on doing or he was | | | | with the least resistance and best stability at all |
| very short on money and could only get involved | | | | points of sail. After that decision, you can focus |
| in boat building as funds became available. | | | | on the choices of keel, rigging and interior floor |
| Questions you should ask before you begin would | | | | plan. You can play with the interior throughout the |
| be what type of sailing do you want to do? Day | | | | building process but not with the keel. |
| sailing? Overnight cruising? How many of you will | | | | A full-length keel will give you the best ride in a |
| be using the boat at the same time? What can | | | | 30' to 40' ocean-going vessel. For those boats 40 |
| you afford? | | | | feet and above, try a modified keel for a little |
| Day sailing requires mostly getting the idea to build | | | | more boat speed without much loss in stability. In |
| a boat, and then finding the right plans. You don't | | | | boat building, accept that most all other types of |
| have to worry about long hours at the helm, or | | | | keels have a place on day sailors or racing hulls |
| inclement weather. You can pick and choose | | | | with a few exceptions. While not yet as popular in |
| when to be on the water and when to follow the | | | | the United States, a double keel bottom is very |
| ducks, and get out of the water. Any form of | | | | stable and with the shorter draft, you can visit |
| long-term cruising, however, means buckling down | | | | more interesting nooks and crannies within around |
| to the specifics and trying to think of every | | | | your anchorage. Rigging is a matter of choice and |
| possible need before you get the plans to boat | | | | you can find out what you like best by renting |
| building. Overnight cruising for more than a few | | | | any number of sailboats throughout your boat |
| days with 2, 3, and 4 people on board would need | | | | building period. If you are still unsure, visit your |
| a boat of at least 30 feet in length for comfort | | | | local boating supply store and locate some |
| and safety. | | | | designers who will be more than happy to help |
| Your next, very important, consideration is just | | | | you. Knowing what you want to do, where you |
| how much money you have to spend on boat | | | | want to sail, and how much just another foot or |
| building. Staying between 30 and 40 feet keeps | | | | two can cost you when you are building your |
| you roughly in the same ball park as far as buying | | | | boat, will be a clue to how long your own boat's |
| supplies and outfitting your choice. If your eyes | | | | berthing process will take. |
| are bigger than your pocketbook and you decide | | | | |