Building a boat is a wonderful and fulfilling project to embark on. If you have decided to tackle this task you will need to ask yourself some tough questions.

Your Project

What is it you wish to build? It may be anything from a 50 foot sailboat, motor yacht to something smaller like a canoe or a pram dinghy. Whichever you choose the size and scale of the project should be doable. Your skill level may limit this. Do not attempt to build in steel if you are a natural at wood work.

It's great dreaming about building your yacht and then complete the world cruise you would like to embark on but fulfilling that dream is another thing altogether.

Be Realistic

Be realistic and tackle something you feel comfortable with and most importantly you know you are able to complete. Many projects are abandoned because the owner has lost heart. Sometimes it is the sheer size of the project that has overwhelmed them.

All adventures start with a dream but please dream in small steps and stages and that way the job will get completed. Try not to be unrealistic but at the same time do not under estimate your ability to achieve a hell of a lot more than you think you can.

The Cost

Money, money is always the bottom line. Be honest with yourself and know how much you are not only prepared to spend but also what you can realistically afford.

Dedication of Time

The next question will be what amount of time you can dedicate each day, month, year or years to see it finalised.

My first corrugated tin canoe took only one day to complete. My second project was a 16 foot ski boat made of marine ply and fibre glass and took about 6 months to finish. The third project was a 34 foot cold moulded sailing yacht which took 8 years of mainly week ends and holiday time to get to launch day and then another 6 years before she was finally ocean ready. The dream was fulfilled when my wife and I sailed the world in Footloose for 16 wonderful years.

It is not just the scale of a project that gives satisfaction but also the simple act of seeing it through to the end.

Do Your Research

Just because by you get the urge to do something, slow down and take your time. Do your research, and especially talk to the guys who are actually doing it. These people are quite easy to find. You can begin finding them by asking around at boat clubs, fishing clubs, marinas etc.

These people will save you loads of time and tons of money with their free and valuable advice thereby getting you started on the right foot. So Do It!