Hi:

Im new to the forum and have been a speedboat enthusiast for several years and am finally falling prey to my long distance cruising desires.

I have been reading for a while now on how to estimate the costs assoiated with building a metal boat, whether it be steel or aluminum. Various factors, as Jim Kennedy has kindly mentioned, include weight and location of te build. Also, finish, etc. Are there any other rules of thumb besides $5 to $10 per pound?

For instance, let's suppose I would like to build a 45-50' aluminum trawler, just the hull. Something much like a diesel duck, perhaps a little longer and narrower like Idlewild, with a pilothouse a bit more aft than the diesel duck. Any ideas?

Randy,

I sure hope there's some way to build a DD for less than $5/#. As an individual of considerably lesser means than those which I seem to find at this site, I will have to give up the dream if this is true.

I've read George's books. How would I build a steel DD for $1.50 to $2.00/#???

Can it be done???

My understanding is that hull materials and machinery cost what they cost; price doesn't vary a lot regardless of location. Of course, labor and overhead do vary, perhaps not as much with location as with the level of finish desired. If the price was stopping me from going cruising, I would opt for a "workboat" level of finish, rather than the "yacht" finish that Bill provides.
Just my .02.

"Go cruising now my brother, it's later than you think..."

Ok, so it's really the steel finish that eats up the dollars. If that's the case, would anyone happen to know how I could get smart on steel finishing and thus, look at the possibility of doing it my self. Does Bill divulge his secrets about how to get a beautiful finish (ie more than just through "hard work")?

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Bob:
Ok, so it's really the steel finish that eats up the dollars.

I believe (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that John Howland was referring to the overall fitting out and finishing the Duck, not just polishing the hull. Instead of teak and brass, plywood and galvanized...