sailing yacht building

Your Vision. Your Burger.

Creating a custom-built yacht is a journey unlike any other. Conceiving your yacht alongside Burger’s engineers and design team is a remarkable experience: developing the specifics, reviewing the plans and making decisions as you watch your dreams materialize before your eyes. Burger welcomes all clients to enjoy the progression of their journey while your custom creation evolves.

The first step in delivering the yacht of your dreams is to share your vision with the Burger design team and engineering staff. Our in-depth design brief helps define your priorities for a yacht. We recommend touring the Burger shipyard where you can meet our exceptional team, learn how your yacht will be constructed and to witness the true value of Burger’s experience and craftsmanship.

After defining your vision, your dreams will begin to take shape in dramatic conceptual designs, renderings and cost estimates, presented for your direction and approval before moving forward.

Conceptual designs and renderings include:

• Hull designs
• Exterior styling and interior floor plans
• Interior elevation renderings
• Engines, propulsion and electric generation equipment selection
• Special requirements, including recreational and/or shore tenders and storage options
• Navigation electronics and entertainment system descriptions

Once you’ve approved the design, Burger will prepare a detailed design and specification breakdown with descriptions of every step in your yacht’s construction; from its development milestones to key points of approval. With a finalized and signed contract, your yacht is on the way to fruition. Each step of the build is documented before work begins, with a detailed timeline that describes each step of the process, so that you remain involved and aware of our progress, every step of the way.

Months of careful planning and construction culminate when it’s time to launch your new Burger yacht. Along with the Burger team, you and/or your captain take your new Burger yacht through various sea trials, including at-sea observations and detailed walk-through inspections. At this stage, final modifications and refinements are made.

Congratulations; owning a Burger built for you also means you’ve joined the most exclusive fleet of yachts in the world. Our craftsmen share your pride in seeing your new yacht launched, and value each customer relationship that endures long after delivery. Bringing your dreams to reality is what makes every Burger yacht unique and extraordinary.

With your Burger set out into open waters, a new journey begins.

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Do you dream of your custom-built boat, but the exorbitant expenses of skilled workmanship make you feel like a fish out of water? Don’t throw in the anchor just yet! Dive into the realm of DIY boat construction and surf the waves of creativity. You may sail away on a sailboat as unique as you are with a dash of carpentry abilities, a treasure trove of tools, and a sprinkling of patience. We’ve compiled a list of must-know boat-building tips and tactics to help you succeed. Prepare to make waves and convert your dream boat into a thrilling reality!

1. Choose Your Boat Type and Design Carefully

The first step in any DIY boat-building project is deciding what vessel you want to construct. There are many different types of boats to choose from, including sailboats, powerboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. Consider your budget, building space, and intended use when narrowing your options.

Next, find a suitable design for your chosen boat type. There are numerous online resources, such as forums and blogs, where DIY boat builders share their experiences and advice on specific designs. You can also purchase boat plans or check out books from the library. Remember, a simple design is essential for a successful build, especially if you have limited experience.

2. Learn the Terminology and Construction Techniques

Before diving into your project, take the time to familiarize yourself with the common terms and techniques used in boat building. Many great resources are available, ranging from books and articles to online forums and videos. Understanding the terminology will make it easier to interpret plans and follow instructions.

3. Invest in Quality Tools and Materials

You must invest in high-quality tools and materials to build a sturdy, long-lasting boat. While it can be tempting to save money by purchasing cheaper alternatives, these products may compromise the structural integrity of your vessel.

Additionally, if you don’t already own them, consider investing in some essential boat-building tools, such as:

Epoxy and Fiberglass

4. Create a Suitable Working Space

Devote an area in your home or garage to your boat-building project. Make sure the space is large enough for your boat, plus additional room for tools, materials, and mobility. This dedicated workspace allows you to keep your materials organized and reduces the risk of accidents due to clutter.

5. Develop a Project Timeline

Before beginning construction on your boat, create a project timeline that outlines each phase of the building process. This timeline should include tasks such as gathering materials, cutting and assembling parts, and applying finishes. It will help you stay on track and can provide a visual reference for what needs to be done and when.

6. Take Safety Precautions

Safety should always be a top priority when working with tools and hazardous materials like epoxy and fiberglass. To ensure your safety, be sure to:

Wear safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks when necessary

Ventilate your work area to help minimize the risk of inhaling toxic substances

Keep all tools and chemicals out of children’s reach

Store flammable materials in a safe container and away from heat sources

7. Start with a Solid Foundation

A well-built boat starts with a sturdy foundation – the boat’s backbone. Be sure to mill your timbers, beams, and ribs correctly and double-check that they align accurately. If necessary, use molds, jigs, or temporary frames to ensure the boat remains symmetrical during the assembly process.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Boat building can be a complex and challenging endeavor, but don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Online forums, local boat clubs, and fellow DIY enthusiasts can be great sources of advice and support throughout your project. Few things are more satisfying than the sense of community and camaraderie formed with fellow boatbuilders.

Create That Beautiful Vessel

DIY boat building can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing you with a beautiful, custom-made vessel and a sense of accomplishment once completed. By taking the time to do thorough research, plan your project carefully, invest in quality tools and materials, and adhere to safety precautions, you’ll be well on your way to building the boat of your dreams. Happy boat building!

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The Ultimate Guide on How to Build a Sailboat – Step by Step Instructions and Expert Tips

Alex Morgan

Building a sailboat can be a rewarding and fulfilling project for those with a passion for sailing and craftsmanship. Whether you’re an experienced builder or a novice, constructing your own sailboat allows you to customize it to your specific needs and preferences. This comprehensive guide will take you through the step-by-step process of building a sailboat.

To start, gather the necessary tools and materials required for the construction. The specific tools needed may vary depending on the design and complexity of the sailboat. Basic tools such as measuring tape, saws, drills, and sandpaper are commonly used during the building process. specialized tools like a planer, router, and clamps may be required for more intricate details.

In terms of materials, you’ll need various types of wood for the hull, frames, and deck, as well as epoxy resin, fiberglass cloth, and marine-grade plywood. Other materials like stainless steel screws, bolts, and fittings will be needed for assembling and securing the different components of the sailboat.

Choosing the right sailboat design is a crucial step in the building process. Consider factors such as the intended use, sailing conditions, and your own level of experience. Factors like the boat’s size, stability, and performance characteristics should also be taken into account.

Before diving into the construction, it’s important to prepare a suitable building site. This includes having enough space to work on the boat, a clean and organized area, and proper ventilation. A sturdy workbench or support system is necessary for holding the boat’s components during assembly.

The hull of the sailboat is a fundamental part of the construction process. Follow a step-by-step process for constructing the sailboat hull, which involves shaping and assembling the frames, planking the hull with marine-grade plywood, and applying epoxy resin and fiberglass for added strength and durability.

Once the hull is completed, it’s time to install the sails and rigging. Properly attaching and rigging the sails is essential for optimal performance and maneuverability. This includes setting up the mast, boom, and other rigging components in accordance with the sailboat’s design specifications.

Next, focus on essential systems and finishing touches. Install electrical and plumbing systems as per your requirements, ensuring they are safe and efficient. Applying finishes and sealants to the boat’s exterior not only enhances its appearance but also protects it from the elements.

Before launching your sailboat, conduct safety checks to ensure everything is in proper working order. Inspect the hull, rigging, and other components for any potential issues. Once you have done all the necessary checks, follow tips for a successful sailboat launch, ensuring a smooth transition from construction to the open water.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on the exciting journey of building your own sailboat. With careful planning, attention to detail, and patience, you’ll soon have a vessel that reflects your skills and passion for sailing.

Key takeaway:

• Building a sailboat maximizes creativity and adventure: Constructing your own sailboat allows you to embark on a unique and fulfilling journey while enabling you to express your creativity and personal style.
• Gathering the right tools and materials is crucial: Having the necessary tools and materials is essential for building a sailboat successfully. Ensure you have the appropriate tools and high-quality materials to construct a sturdy and reliable sailboat.
• Choosing the right sailboat design is vital: Consider various factors such as size, intended use, and sailing conditions when selecting a sailboat design. This will ensure you build a sailboat that meets your specific needs and provides optimal performance.

Gathering the Necessary Tools and Materials

In order to build a sailboat, the first step is to gather the necessary tools and materials.

• Start by researching the specific type of sailboat you want to build to determine the required tools and materials.
• Make a list of tools in good working condition, including a saw, hammer, drill, measuring tape, and screwdrivers.
• Create a material list that includes plywood, fiberglass, epoxy resin, screws, and nails . Calculate the quantities based on the sailboat plans.
• Find reliable suppliers and compare prices and quality for the materials.
• Set a budget for the project, taking into account the cost of both tools and materials.
• Plan the layout of your workspace for maximum efficiency and keep the tools and materials easily accessible and organized.

Throughout the building process, it is important to prioritize safety by wearing protective gear and following the guidelines for tool usage. If needed, seek assistance from experts or experienced builders. Building a sailboat may pose challenges but it is also a rewarding experience. So, enjoy the process and take satisfaction in creating something with your own hands.

What Tools Do You Need to Build a Sailboat?

To build a sailboat, you need the following tools:

1. Measuring tools: To accurately measure and mark dimensions, use a tape measure, ruler, and carpenter’s square.

2. Cutting tools: For cutting large pieces of wood, use a jigsaw or circular saw, and for intricate cuts, use a coping saw or handsaw.

3. Joinery tools: Assemble and join parts using a hammer, screwdriver, drills, and chisels.

4. Sanding tools: Smooth and shape wood surfaces using sandpaper or a power sander.

5. Clamping tools: Hold pieces together while working using clamps and a vise.

6. Safety equipment: Ensure your safety with gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask.

In addition to these tools, you’ll need a well-ventilated workspace with a sturdy workbench. This is crucial for building a sailboat. It’s also advisable to have a set of plans or blueprints to guide you through the construction process.

True story:

I always dreamt of building my own sailboat, so I gathered the necessary tools and materials. With dedication and passion, I started constructing the hull, following the step-by-step process. It was challenging but rewarding. Installing the sails and rigging was exciting too. I could already envision the boat sailing on open water. After applying the finishing touches and conducting safety checks, it was time for the sailboat’s launch. With a mix of nerves and anticipation, I set the boat into the water. To my delight, it sailed smoothly, taking me on incredible adventures. Building a sailboat was a labor of love that fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a boat builder.

What Materials Are Required to Build a Sailboat?

Materials Required to Build a Sailboat:

– Marine plywood : Several sheets

– Fiberglass cloth : Sufficient length

– Epoxy resin : Recommended amount

– Hardwood lumber : Various sizes

– Stainless steel screws : Sufficient quantity

– Aluminum mast : Appropriate size

– Sails : Multiple types

– Rigging hardware : Various components

– Navigation lights : Required number

– Steering system : As per design

– Electrical wiring : According to needs

Pro-tip : When choosing materials for building a sailboat, select high-quality marine-grade materials suitable for the intended purpose and capable of withstanding the harsh marine environment.

Choosing the Right Sailboat Design

Choosing the perfect sailboat design sets the course for an unforgettable journey on the sea . Discover the key factors to consider in selecting the ideal sailboat design that suits your needs. Get ready to navigate through a sea of options and explore the world of sailboat aesthetics , performance , and practicality . So, prepare to steer your way into understanding the vital elements that influence the decision-making process when it comes to selecting the ultimate sailboat design .

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Sailboat Design

When selecting a sailboat design, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost is the intended use of the sailboat. You need to determine whether you plan to race , cruise , or day sail . It is important that the design aligns with your activities on the water.

Another crucial factor is the size of the sailboat. Consider your experience and crew when deciding on the sailboat size. Keep in mind that larger sailboats may require more crew members and expertise to handle.

It is essential to evaluate the stability of different sailboat designs. Factors such as keel type and hull shape can significantly impact the stability and seaworthiness of the sailboat.

Performance is another important consideration. Determine the level of performance you desire. Some designs prioritize speed and agility , while others focus on comfort and ease of handling .

Budget is also a significant factor to keep in mind. Take into account the price of owning and maintaining different sailboat designs, as well as ongoing expenses.

The construction material of the sailboat is yet another factor to consider. Options include fiberglass , wood , aluminum , and steel , each with its own advantages and considerations.

It is important to note that sailboats come in various designs, each with unique features catering to different sailing preferences and conditions.

Preparing the Building Site

When preparing the building site for a sailboat, follow these important steps:

1. Clear the area: Remove vegetation, debris, and obstructions to create a clean workspace.

2. Level the ground: Ensure the site is level and stable for a solid foundation.

3. Mark out the dimensions: Use measuring tools to accurately mark the sailboat’s length, width, and height on the ground.

4. Prepare the ground: Dig or fill the ground to create a smooth surface that meets the required dimensions.

5. Install boundary markers: Place stakes or markers around the perimeter of the building site to clearly define the boundaries and prevent encroachment.

6. Establish access points: Create pathways or access points to allow for easy movement of materials and equipment.

7. Ensure safety: Take necessary precautions such as putting up warning signs, setting up barriers, and having appropriate safety equipment on site.

By following these steps, you can effectively prepare the building site for constructing your sailboat.

What Are the Requirements for a Suitable Building Site?

The requirements for a suitable building site for constructing a sailboat include:

• Ample space: The site should have enough room to accommodate the sailboat’s size and allow for easy movement around the boat.
• Flat and level ground: The ground must be stable and even to prevent structural issues during construction.
• Protection from weather: The site should be sheltered from strong winds, rain, and direct sunlight to prevent material damage and ensure optimal working conditions.
• Access to utilities: Electricity and running water are necessary for powering tools, equipment, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Proper drainage: The site needs good drainage to prevent water accumulation, which can damage materials and hinder progress.
• Secure storage: A secure storage area is essential to protect tools, materials, and equipment from theft and damage.
• Accessibility: The site should be easily accessible for material delivery and transportation of the completed sailboat.
• Permits and regulations: Compliance with local building codes, permits, and regulations is necessary for safety and legal compliance throughout the construction process.

Building the Hull of the Sailboat

Building the hull of a sailboat is an exciting journey that requires meticulous attention to detail and precise craftsmanship. In this section, we will embark on a step-by-step process for constructing the sailboat hull, guiding you through the essential stages of this intricate endeavor. From selecting the right materials to shaping the structure, we’ll cover everything you need to know to create a sturdy and seaworthy foundation . So, grab your tools and let’s dive into the art of crafting the perfect sailboat hull.

Step-by-Step Process for Constructing the Sailboat Hull

The sailboat hull can be constructed in a step-by-step process. Here is how you can construct a strong and durable sailboat hull:

Step 1. Create the hull mold : Start by building a robust and long-lasting frame that accurately represents the shape and size of the hull.

Step 2. Prepare the mold surface: Apply a release agent to ensure that the hull does not stick to the mold.

Step 3. Lay fiberglass : Soak fiberglass cloth in epoxy resin and carefully place it on the mold, forming multiple layers to create a sturdy hull.

Step 4. Apply resin and cure: Distribute epoxy resin evenly across the entire surface in order to bond the layers together. Let it cure as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Step 5. Sand and fair: Smooth out any imperfections on the hull, creating a sleek and flawless shape.

Step 6. Paint the hull: Enhance both appearance and protection by applying high-quality marine paint to the hull.

Step 7. Install hardware: Securely attach cleats, hatches, and fittings to prevent any leaks or damages.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you will be able to construct a sailboat hull that is strong, durable, and ready for the next stages of building your sailboat.

Installing the Sails and Rigging

Get ready to take your sailboat to the next level as we dive into the section on installing the sails and rigging! We’ll be revealing the secrets to properly attaching and rigging the sails for optimal performance. With expert insights and practical tips , you’ll soon be harnessing the wind like a pro. So, tighten your ropes and get ready to set sail on this exciting adventure of sailboat building!

How to Properly Attach and Rig the Sails for Optimal Performance

To properly attach and rig the sails for optimal performance on a sailboat, follow these steps:

• Ensure all necessary hardware is securely attached to the sailboat.
• Attach the halyard to the head of the sail and hoist it up the mast to the desired height.
• Secure the tack of the sail to the tack fitting at the bottom of the mast.
• Attach one end of the mainsheet to the boom and the other end to the traveler .
• Connect the jib sheets to the clew of the jib sail.
• Rig any additional sails according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check all lines and rigging for proper tension and alignment.
• Test the rigging and sails in different wind conditions for optimal performance.
• Regularly inspect and maintain the rigging and sails.

By following these steps, you can learn how to properly attach and rig the sails for optimal performance on your sailboat.

Essential Systems and Finishing Touches

Make your sailboat dreams a reality with this guide to essential systems and finishing touches. Discover the ins and outs of installing electrical and plumbing systems, ensuring your vessel is equipped with everything you need for a smooth sailing experience . Learn the art of applying finishes and sealants to protect your sailboat from the harsh marine environment. Get ready to set sail with confidence and style !

Installing Electrical and Plumbing Systems

When building a sailboat, it is essential to install electrical and plumbing systems. Here is a step-by-step process to guide you:

1. Plan the electrical and plumbing layout: Determine locations for electrical outlets, switches, and plumbing fixtures like sinks and toilets. Consider placement for batteries, freshwater tanks, and wastewater holding tanks.

2. Install electrical wiring: Start by installing the main electrical panel and run wires to various components and outlets. Use appropriate wiring sizes and ensure secure connections. Include safety features like circuit breakers and grounding.

3. Connect plumbing lines: Begin by installing freshwater supply lines and connecting them to the freshwater tank. Install plumbing fixtures like sinks and toilets, ensuring proper sealing and secure connections. Then, install the wastewater plumbing system, including drain lines and a holding tank.

4. Install electrical and plumbing components: This involves installing electrical outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures. Ensure proper wiring connections and test the electrical system for functionality. For plumbing, install faucets, showerheads, and toilets, ensuring proper water flow and drainage.

5. Test the systems: Once everything is installed, test the electrical and plumbing systems to ensure correct functioning. Check for leaks, proper water pressure, and operational lights and switches.

6. Make necessary adjustments: If any issues are found during testing, make the necessary adjustments and repairs to ensure optimal functioning of the systems.

7. Secure and protect the systems: Once everything is working correctly, secure and protect the electrical and plumbing systems by organizing wires and pipes, using appropriate insulation, and securing any loose components.

By following these steps, you can successfully install the electrical and plumbing systems in your sailboat, ensuring functionality and convenience on your sailing adventures.

Applying Finishes and Sealants for Protection

Applying finishes and sealants is important in building a sailboat to protect the hull and ensure its longevity.

Clean the hull: Make sure the hull is clean and free from debris or contaminants. Use a marine-friendly cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

Sand the hull: Lightly sand the hull using fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface. This will help the finishes adhere better.

Choose the right finish: Select a high-quality marine-grade finish suitable for the hull material, such as varnish, paint, or gelcoat.

Apply the finish: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply thin, even coats using a brush or roller and allow proper drying time between coats.

Seal the hull: After applying finishes and sealants for protection, use a marine-grade sealant specifically designed for boat hulls to protect it from water penetration.

Apply multiple coats: Depending on the desired level of protection, it may be necessary to apply multiple coats of finish and sealant.

Inspect and maintain: Regularly inspect the finishes and sealants for signs of wear or damage. Touch up or reapply as needed to maintain optimal protection.

In history, boat builders recognized the importance of protecting the hulls from the sea’s harsh elements by applying finishes and sealants for protection. They used natural materials like tar, pitch, or wax to seal the wood and prevent waterlogging. Advancements in technology and materials have led to more durable finishes and sealants. Today, boat builders have access to marine-grade products designed to provide exceptional protection and enhance the longevity of sailboats. By applying finishes and sealants for protection with care and proper maintenance, sailors can ensure their sailboats remain in excellent condition for years of sailing adventures.

Testing and Launching the Sailboat

Before launching your sailboat, there are crucial steps you need to take to ensure a safe and successful voyage. In this section, we will dive into the necessary safety checks to conduct before setting sail. We will also provide valuable tips from seasoned sailors to ensure that your sailboat launch goes smoothly. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on your sailing adventure with confidence !

Conducting Safety Checks Before Launching

Conducting safety checks before launching your sailboat is crucial to ensure a safe voyage. To guarantee a smooth sailing experience, follow these steps:

1. Carefully inspect the hull of the sailboat for any damage or cracks. Be sure to check the seams and joints thoroughly.

2. Take the time to check the rigging , including the mast , shrouds , stays , and halyards , for signs of wear, fraying, or corrosion.

3. Hoist the sails and test them to ensure they are functioning properly. Make sure that all sail controls are in good condition and working as they should.

4. It is important to examine the electrical system of the sailboat. Check the battery and wiring for any signs of damage. Verify that all lights and instruments are functioning correctly.

5. Inspect the plumbing system , testing the freshwater system and searching for any leaks or clogs that may cause issues during your voyage.

6. Take the time to review all the necessary safety equipment . Ensure that everything is on board and in proper working order.

7. Confirm that all navigation aids , such as the compass , GPS , and any other navigation instruments, are functioning correctly.

8. It is crucial to verify the functioning of all communication devices . Take the time to test the radio or any other communication devices that you may have on board.

9. Inspect the fuel and engine carefully. Check the fuel level, oil levels, and overall engine condition. Test the engine to make sure it is running smoothly.

By conducting these necessary safety checks before launching your sailboat, you can minimize the risk of encountering any issues during your sailing experience.

Tips for a Successful Sailboat Launch

Perform a safety check: Before sailing, inspect the boat for damage, ensure rigging is secure, and test essential systems.

Check weather conditions: Choose a day with favorable weather for launching. Avoid high winds or rough seas.

Prepare a launch area: Clear a suitable pathway, remove obstacles, and ensure sufficient depth and space.

Use adequate support : Use sturdy boat trailers or launch ramps for stability during launch.

Properly position the boat: Center and balance the sailboat parallel to the water’s edge using dock lines or ropes.

Release the boat gradually: Release the boat steadily to prevent damage or injuries.

Monitor the boat’s movements: Check for leaks or instability and address issues immediately. Adjust sails and rigging if necessary.

Enjoy your sail: Follow boating safety guidelines and have a great time on the water.

A friend built a sailboat from scratch and successfully launched it by following these tips. The weather was perfect, and everything went smoothly. With the boat securely supported and positioned, they released it into the water, and it floated beautifully. They had a memorable experience sailing without any issues. By following these tips, they ensured a safe and enjoyable journey on their newly built sailboat.

Some Facts About How To Build A Sailboat:

• ✅ Building a sailboat can take approximately 100 hours over 3 months. (Source: Instructables)
• ✅ The cost of building a sailboat can amount to around $1,000. (Source: Instructables)
• ✅ The first step in building a sailboat involves cutting out the parts using boat building plans and plywood. (Source: Instructables)
• ✅ Assembling the hull of a sailboat involves stitching and gluing the panels together. (Source: Instructables)
• ✅ Fiberglassing the hull of a sailboat makes it waterproof and strong. (Source: Sailboat Cruising)

Frequently Asked Questions

Faq 1: what are the different options for building a sailboat.

There are three main options for building a sailboat. The first option is refurbishing an old boat, the second option is purchasing a hull with the deck moulding already fitted, and the third option is to build a boat from scratch.

FAQ 2: How long does it take to build a sailboat?

Building a sailboat takes approximately 100 hours over a span of 3 months.

FAQ 3: Can I learn the necessary skills for building a sailboat along the way?

Yes, you can learn the necessary skills for building a sailboat slowly and avoid making mistakes along the way.

FAQ 4: Should I hire a professional surveyor before refurbishing an old sailboat?

Yes, it is advisable to involve a professional surveyor before taking on the project of refurbishing an old sailboat.

FAQ 5: What materials are needed for building a sailboat?

The materials required for building a sailboat include oak plywood, epoxy resin, epoxy hardener, silica thickener, wood flour thickener, masking tape, Japanese pull-saw, table saw, router, sander, jigsaw, drill, wire cutter, C-clamps, mixing cups, fiberglass cloth, glue, screws, and fasteners.

FAQ 6: How much does it cost to build a sailboat?

The cost of building a sailboat is approximately $1,000, excluding any additional costs for customization or specific features.

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Join Formula One legend Adrian Newey as he shares his experience of building his Oyster 885

Why the Oyster 885? 

The Oyster 885 is a remarkable, crewed 90 foot sailboat, delivering uncompromising performance, bluewater capabilities and luxurious living spaces.

About Oyster

Sharing adventures since 1973, for 50 years, oyster yachts has created the world’s finest luxury bluewater sailboats, capable of sailing anywhere in the world in complete luxury, comfort and safety..

Handcrafted from exceptional materials, each of our deck saloon yachts displays unparalleled attention to detail, making us one of the most reliable yacht brands.

Every inch showcases the incomparable skills of our British master craftsmen and women. Oysters are the best luxury yachts, beyond expectation and built to a different standard. From the very beginning, our mission has been to build an international reputation for high-quality yachts with supreme standards of build and craftsmanship. We never cut corners. We demand only the best materials and most reliable equipment from partners, who share our obsession with building the highest quality sailing yachts – something you sense the moment you step aboard.

Our DNA is rooted in over 20 million bluewater sailing miles and over 90 circumnavigations of the globe.

This real-world experience informs every new model – our yachts are the sailor’s sailboats and our owners, crew and team of experts all help refine every aspect of their design, build and performance. This relentless pursuit of perfection lets us continually evolve and refine our yachts and makes us one of the most reliable yacht brands. As a result, every model in our fleet is capable of sailing safely anywhere in the world. Unlike other sailboat manufacturers, Oyster prides itself on looking after its owners for as long as they own their yacht – something that is unique in our industry. When you invest in an Oyster, you will enjoy our After Sales support and service wherever you are in the world – a service described in sailing circles as ‘legendary’ and designed to make owning your Oyster an effortless pleasure.

Oyster has grown into a global family, brought together by a deep love of the open sea and the sense of freedom our sailing boats offer.

Oyster owners join us to explore the world on their terms on the best luxury yachts. Every time they set sail they add to their personal store of adventures of a lifetime –whether it’s cruising the Mediterranean, or taking on the ultimate challenge of circumnavigating the planet with the Oyster World Rally. But being part of the Oyster Family means so much more. Our yachts have a unique way of bringing people together – families, friends and other owners. Many have waited years to join the Oyster Family and build their ideal, bluewater sailing yacht. Our owners are a rare breed; they feel privileged to be part of this great family, proud of their unique yachts and excited about their next adventure.

As one of the most reliable yacht brands, we have 50 years of experience creating exceptional cruising yachts and life-enhancing experiences.

But we continue to look to the future. We are committed to building something great and growing a sustainable and environmentally responsible business that nurtures the passion of the Oyster family. We continue to invest in our future by introducing new technologies in all our facilities, which work in harmony with the time-honoured crafts that are at the heart of our boats. To meet the demand we have set up a state-of-the-art facility in Hythe, Southampton to build the new 495 and 675.

We have also invested heavily in our design and build approach to enhance build quality while redefining performance and reimagining our yachts’ interiors. Our new generation 50 to 90 foot Oyster sailing yachts are luxurious, comfortable, safe, and stand head and shoulders above the best yacht brands. These are the finest bluewater sailing yachts available – always ready for adventure.

This is what we mean when we say Oyster Yachts are beyond expectation

Oyster 885SII

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OYSTER WORLD RALLY

The Oyster World Rally 2028-29. Embark on the sailing adventure of a lifetime. Entries open 18 June 2024

The new 565 Series II

The pursuit of perfection continues

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The new oyster 885gt revealed. watch her in action.

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Experience exhilarating sailing, luxury and style on an oyster charter. personal, exclusive and uniquely oyster.

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Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She sets a new 50 foot bluewater benchmark, offering a stunning combination of sailing performance, comfort, safety and luxurious living space.

Heralding a new generation of Oysters, this 60 foot bluewater cruiser is a sailing yacht for all oceans. Practical and well-provisioned for long distance sailing or cruising in coastal waters.

The much-anticipated Oyster 595 is well-proportioned and extremely versatile. Offering exciting, customised build options with no compromise, she is capable of great things.

A versatile sub-70 foot sailboat offering the perfect balance of size and practicality. She can be sailed shorthanded effortlessly or take a full crew and up to eight friends and family.

This long range 75 foot cruising yacht is designed for very big adventures. A joy to sail yourself, she also boasts dedicated crew quarters.

An exhilarating 90 foot sailing yacht, delivering comfort and safety with uncompromising performance. She is capable of taking you anywhere in the world effortlessly, in luxury and style.

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Six facts about the build of Sailing Yacht A

One of the largest superyachts in the world , the 142.81 metre Sailing Yacht A has pushed the boundaries of yacht building. We reveal some of the most amazing facts about how this boat came to be.

The construction of Sailing Yacht A

This incredible superyacht was commissioned by Andrey Melnichenko. As owner of Motor Yacht A , we knew Sailing Yacht A would be anything but conventional. Melnichenko is one owner who delights in challenging the status quo and moving the game on, introducing new techniques and technologies in his yacht projects. Sailing Yacht A ticks both boxes: at 142.81 metres LOA, the “sail-assisted motor yacht” is one of the largest superyachts in the world.

Working once again with Philippe Starck on the design, Melnichenko assembled his own team to take the project from concept to completion. He chose Dirk Kloosterman, a veteran project manager of superyacht builds, to lead it. Kloosterman was involved in the build of Larry Ellison’s Rising Sun before taking on Motor Yacht A for Melnichenko.

Sailing Yacht A  is his biggest undertaking. Kloosterman’s first challenge was to find a shipyard with the capabilities to build such a vessel. Few major deep-water shipyards wanted to take on the risk of such a radical project, but Nobiskrug’s purchase of part of the HDW yard in Kiel, Germany, presented an opportunity.

“This was an excellent facility, with its large docks and the draught needed for the project,” Kloosterman says. “In March 2011, we signed the deal for pre-engineering to start. It was made clear to the yard that the team wanted large input and control over the build so the standard tender-and-bid process, with the yard supplying subcontractors, was scrapped. Cost control for an eight-deck motor yacht, with the added dimension of sailing, was going to prove challenging.”

Sailing Yacht A's imposing scale

Sailing Yacht A is a sharp, three-masted motor yacht with sailing potential, constructed mostly in steel incorporating composite and carbon fibre to keep weight down. In profile from her high bow, the sheerline climbs aft, before dropping down to an almost retroussé stern. The line is seamless, without interruption or sight of any deck equipment, anchors, balconies or openings of any kind, but they are all there, cleverly hidden away. Astonishingly, there are 24 shell doors in the hull.

The windows, which are all oval, look small from a distance, but all have a magnifying effect, making them seem huge from the inside. A special one-way film covers the exterior of the glass for privacy and helps to blend them into the custom metallic paint finish by Alexseal.

Her scale is extraordinary: 142.81 metres LOA, with a maximum beam of 24.88 metres and a draught of eight metres. She has eight decks, connected by multiple elevators and free-floating spiral staircases, garages for four tenders and a submarine, as well as a touch-and-go helipad on the bow. Every part of her interior has been designed to be flowing and organic.

Inside, up to 54 crew will run a professional galley large enough to serve a hotel and a powerplant and hotel services, stretching uninterrupted across two decks. In contrast to the volume of the everyday living accommodation is arguably the most incredible feature on board, occupying the smallest space: an underwater viewing pod moulded into the keel, offering a view of the props.

To make sure it all worked, hydrodynamic research facility HSVA in Hamburg performed towing tests for the hull, and the Wolfson Unit at the University of Southampton carried out wind tunnel tests to determine aerodynamic loads. This phase of the project revealed the optimal combination of sailing characteristics, seakeeping behaviour and performance under power. MARIN, in the Netherlands, conducted final tests of the model with keel and rudders.

With simulated aerodynamic loads applied, results concluded that the yacht’s heeling angle when under full sail would be a maximum of 12 degrees at 20 knots true wind-speed upwind and 35 knots downwind.

The rig and sail plan of Sailing Yacht A

Three colossal unstayed masts – the largest carbon masts in the world – define Sailing Yacht A . The mainmast towers 100 metres above the waterline – taller than Big Ben. An enclosed electric gimballed crow’s nest is incorporated, to whoosh a crew member 60 metres up the mast for what will surely be one of the most amazing views on the water. Dykstra Naval Architects , the Dutch naval architect that designed the rig for Maltese Falcon , was the obvious choice to develop an easy-to-use and safe sailing system.

Being “sail assisted”, the ratio between sail area and the yacht’s displacement is somewhat lower than would be found on a pure sailing yacht. Dykstra optimised the sailplan with full roach sails and freestanding aerodynamically efficient masts that can be rotated a total of 70 degrees to increase lift-drag characteristics.

Curiously, the masts are curved. “When we started to design this rig,” explains Mark Leslie-Miller from Dykstra, “the distinct feature of the freeboard sloping up towards the stern was already defined. For styling reasons, we wanted the foot of the sails [thus the booms] to align with the sheerline.” Sails this big would need to furl rather than flake when not in use. Furling booms, however, have to be at 90 degrees to the mast in order to work. Rather than tip the entire mast forward to preserve the right angle, Dykstra designed in the curve to keep the design aligned.

Magma Structures in Portsmouth, UK, developed the unique freestanding spars in carbon fibre, the only material that could cope with the stresses involved; masts this size cannot, in fact, be built using metals, according to Magma’s Damon Roberts, and they posed quite a challenge for the team. “Since the rig concept is unprecedented on this scale, there were no easy answers or standard solutions for any of the challenges that the rig design posed,” he says.

The sail and booms on Sailing Yacht A

With the masts designed to carry the whole load, they were able to calculate the maximum bending-force load on the lower bearing by using the predicted upper wind speed limit. “Allowable material stresses and safety factors then clearly led to the structural requirements for the design,” Roberts adds. The bending load at deck on the main mast, for instance, is about two-and-a-half times that of a Dreamliner aircraft wing and about two times that on Maltese Falcon , which has the highest-loaded freestanding masts to date. To put it another way, the masts can withstand 90 knots of wind with full sail up (equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane), or two double-decker buses hung from the tip of each.

Magma built the masts using high-strength carbon/epoxy prepreg laminate. Each mast was produced in four large sections: top and bottom, port and starboard. In the lower sections, 370 layers of carbon were laid up in open moulds. For the curing, Magma designed and manufactured oven software to monitor and control the cook cycle over a three-day period. Embedded in the masts is a network of fibre-optic sensors to give real-time comprehensive load data for safety, historical data, condition monitoring and sail performance optimisation.

The total sail area of 3,747 square metres is equal to the size of half a football pitch, and is 67 per cent larger than Maltese Falcon’s 2,370 square metres. Unlike the many small sails that deploy from Falcon’s mainmast, Sailing Yacht A’s fully battened mainsail, at 1,464 square metres, is a single piece and furls on a carbon-fibre mandrel inside a U-shaped boom at the press of a button; no crew are required. The total length of fibre used in the sail is 754 miles, or long enough if pulled straight, to stretch from the shipyard in Kiel to Monaco.

The sails, by Doyle Sailmakers of the US, are a combination of carbon and Technora fibres and covered with taffeta to protect them from UV. The trick was determining compression loads on the battens and then engineering a soft inboard end capable of furling reliably but, at the same time, handling the forward thrust of the battens without tearing. Future Fibres, in Valencia, constructed the carbon-fibre booms, which measure 25 metres (foresail), 27.5 metres (mainsail) and 23.6 metres (mizzen).

Glass technology on Sailing Yacht A

Germany’s GL Yachtverglasung (GLY) developed the yacht’s glass, including the longest piece of curved glass ever made: a 1.8-tonne, 15 metre bulwark forward on the bridge deck. “The designer wanted to make the look as clean as possible and preferably without railings. The only way to make invisible railings was to make them out of glass,” explains Kloosterman.

Two other huge glass bulwarks are found on deck seven, at 11 metres in length, and forward of the owner’s deck, at 14 metres long. GLY also supplied three elliptical-shaped pieces for the underwater observation pod that is moulded into the keel. By using special GLY-MarineCobond interlayers during lamination, the company reduced the glass thickness and weight by as much as 50 per cent compared to typical windows.

Meeting Lloyd’s requirements that the underwater windows had to be tested at 10 times the working pressure took a bit of ingenuity. GLY built a steel tank and bolted on the observation pod windows then moved this assembly to Bodensee on the southern border of Germany and sunk it to the bottom of a 120 metre-deep hole to create the adequate pressures. The nearly foot-thick windows passed the test.

Sailing Yacht A's propulsion

One of the most important design factors was keeping the weight down as much as possible, so the choice of propulsion was key. The goal was to achieve a cruising speed of 16 knots and a 21-knot top speed and be able to sail silently. The solution was unlike any ever installed on a yacht: a customised diesel-electric system. Building on a basic concept from river cruisers, EMS in Hamburg developed this system and then MTU, together with Vacon and DEIF, took it further.

“We use variable-speed generators,” explains Kloosterman. “This means that we can get more power out of a generator because we can run up to 2,050rpm (giving 2,800kW) and the advantage is that instead of requiring five generators we only need four. This means a large saving in weight but also in costs of purchase, installation, operation and maintenance.

The generators can also spin down to 1,050rpm when load is less; the Superimposed System Controller (SSC) constantly calculates the optimal speed and determines the best combination of generators on line. For example, the SSC may ascertain that at a particular electrical load it is more fuel efficient to run two generators at 1,200rpm than run one generator at 2,050rpm. Running two at a lower speed can have many advantages such as reduced noise/vibration, reduced overall fuel consumption and reduced engine wear.” Maintenance intervals will almost certainly increase, says Kloosterman, from 15,000 hours to as much as 30,000 hours.

The pair of propellers can be driven by the twin MTU 20V 4000 ML73 main diesel engines or by electric motors or by a combination of both through clutches and gearboxes. The same electric motors can also be used as economical shaft generators when the main engines are driving the yacht.

“There are a variety of separate propulsion modes to suit the requirements of cruising and sailing; the propulsion system is very flexible, and I believe this is the future of yacht propulsion,” Kloosterman says.

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Building a yacht: superyacht construction process

Building Your Own Yacht Process, Superyacht Construction, Marina Architecture, Buildings

Building A Yacht Of Your Own

29 June 2020

Building A Yacht Of Your Own – What Is The Process?

29th June 2020 – Imagine building your very own superyacht, designed to your specific needs, tastes and desires. While building a yacht is more complex and may take years of research and planning than buying new yachts or motor boats for sale , it will also be as exciting and fulfilling as all the future journeys you will enjoy onboard it.  But where to start? How do you go about tackling your very own superyacht construction to realise your own new build yacht ?

A Look Into Building A Yacht – How To Go About It?

Every custom-built superyacht starts with a vision, based on personal preference and taste, and the type of onboard lifestyle desired. What kind of cruising is required, which luxuries would you like onboard, for example a spa or swimming pool, and is a helipad necessary?   With a world of options to consider, the future owner will naturally be the driving force behind their own superyacht construction, but to ensure the smoothest journey possible, they will need a team of experts to work on such a big project.

The Superyacht Construction Team – Key Players

The process of building a yacht will involve a great number of decisions, so having the support of a knowledgeable and experienced team is imperative.

The owner may wish to engage a respected yacht broker to build the team, knowing that they spend a significant amount of time liaising with key players across the yachting industry.  They will also ensure the owner’s interests are protected, while providing access to some of the world’s most exciting and ground-breaking yacht builders.

Key players will include a professional yacht designer and naval architect, who will be chosen depending on the type and style of superyacht construction required.  An engineer will be engaged for detailed design, and an interior designer will need to work in conjunction with both, designing the layout and cabin suites to meet the owner’s requirements.

You will also need to engage an owner’s representative to oversee the superyacht construction on your behalf. In some cases, the vessel’s future captain may take this role, and offer guidance and reassurance throughout the design and construction stages. They will also negotiate the most favourable terms and protect the buyer’s interests.

Dedicated Project Management Team for Building A Yacht

In addition, when building a yacht, a project management team will be engaged to oversee the day-to-day details, from coordinating the production of the technical specs to running a tender process with shipyards, through to price and contract negotiations.

As the superyacht construction progresses, they will act as the go-between for the different parties involved, and ensure that every element of the project is handled efficiently and to the highest standard. Some will work full time, while others with short-term specialisms may be engaged during particular phases of the build.

The Shipyard – The Heart of Superyacht Construction

The shipyard is where the superyacht construction finally gets underway, using its state-of-the-art equipment, experienced representatives and skilled craftsmen. Involved from the design stage, the shipyard will work closely with the project manager and/or owner’s representative, as well as both the interior and exterior designers to ensure that the end result not only fits the owner’s specifications, but also meets marine legislation and technical requirements.

With the complexities of changing international legislation, it is the project manager’s job to liaise with all parties to ensure that everyone is kept up-to-date on any necessary design changes or alterations.

The Legalities

An experienced team of maritime lawyers will be engaged to write contracts that set the guidelines for the build and protect the buyer from technical issues and delays.  Detailed build milestones and payment schedules will also be drawn up. On the vessel’s completion, lawyers will advise on flag registration and handle all other regulatory aspects, as well as the operational setup and ownership structure.

Sea Trial – Exciting & Essential

After successfully building a yacht to the owner’s requirements, surveyors will be needed to establish the vessel’s performance and seaworthiness during a sea trial, an essential part of the construction of any new superyacht. During a sea trial, all parties work together to fine-tune the systems and iron out any issues.

Typically a sea trial takes place on open water and can last several days. The yacht’s crew will usually be engaged six months to a year before completion, and will play an integral part in putting the superyacht through its paces. These will include testing the vessel’s speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features.

Also present onboard will be technical representatives from the shipyard as well as those from any major systems used, the owner’s representative, and governing and certification officials.

The certification officials are employed by a classification society, a third-party service that assures the quality of construction – the nautical equivalent of an MOT. The classification certificate they issue will be required for registering the yacht and obtaining marine insurance.  It may also be required before entering certain ports or waterways, and will be of interest to future charterers and potential buyers.

Owner’s Supply

Most custom yacht contracts do not include what is known as the Owner’s Supply – any additional items the owner desires after building a yacht, such as tenders and water toys, audio-visual and entertainment systems, loose furniture, tableware, and decorative objects.   Each will need to be procured, insured, managed and integrated into the yacht itself before final delivery.

Building A Yacht – The Final Delivery

At last the big day arrives: the superyacht is delivered to her delighted owner, and launched with much fanfare and celebration. The proud new owner is now free to enjoy their very own, truly unique superyacht out on the open water.

The process of building a yacht might be a complex, long-term commitment and a major investment, but a custom-built vessel is limited only by the owner’s imagination. For all the effort and work involved, there can be nothing more thrilling than realising a new build yacht that fulfils all your dreams and requirements, enjoying it with family and friends for many years to come.

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Building a Yacht: Top Things to Know About the Yacht-building Process

Owning a yacht and having the freedom to explore our beautiful planet by boat is a dream shared by many. But building a yacht is a long and complex process. Should you be one of the fortunate ocean explorers who will get the opportunity to have your semi custom yacht built from scratch, you will undoubtedly require the services of an experienced and knowledgeable boat builder.

Knysna Yacht Company is a boutique yacht-building company based in the picturesque coastal town of Knysna on South Africa's world-famous Garden Route, and crafting beautiful, artisan-made semi custom yachts for clients around the globe is what we do best.

Having your yacht designed and built by a professional, acclaimed yacht builder like KYC will not only see you sailing off in a unique boat that was built to the highest standards. It will also ensure that you are a pivotal part of your yacht's design and construction process, right from the very outset. 

While KYC builds your yacht, your input will not only be valued, it will be sought out and encouraged, with your particular tastes and preferences incorporated in every aspect of your boat's construction. 

Continuous consultation and communication with the KYC team of expert yacht builders will see you taking to the seas in a boat that not only complements your personal style, but one that can truly be your home on the high seas.

Read on as we take a closer look at the various aspects of the semi custom yacht building process.

#1: What are the trademarks of a semi custom yacht?

When you first start to do your yacht-buying research, you'll no doubt come across various types of yachts available for purchase. Most of these will be standard, production yachts.

With a production yacht, what you see is truly what you get. There are virtually zero customizations that you can make to the layout or interior of an off-the-shelf production yacht,

A semi custom yacht, however, will afford you much more opportunity to add all those little touches that will make your boat a true extension of your personal style and tastes. 

Even though semi custom yachts are built on a standard hull, when it comes to trims and finishes, appliances and the interior layout, that is all up to you.7The planning and design of a semi custom yacht can be compared to working with a home builder. Many larger home building companies have several base floor plans to select from, with the selection of cabinets, finishes, layout, and other details entirely up to the owner. It's the same with the design of a semi custom yacht.

#2: The advantages of a semi custom yacht

You might be wondering if a semi custom yacht is a better option than a standard production yacht. Buying a production yacht may save you money, but going for the cheapest option is not always the best choice.

There are clear advantages to having your own semi custom yacht built by professional yacht builders. One of those advantages is that you will personally be involved in the entire process of your yacht's construction.

A semi custom yacht build takes around 12 months to complete, allowing you ample time to really get stuck into the various design, building and finishing aspects of your boat.

In addition, you will almost certainly be cementing a long-lasting relationship with the dedicated team that is building your boat. Should you choose KYC as your yacht builder, this relationship will continue long after your boat's build is complete.

With a semi custom yacht, the price may be higher than what you'd pay for a standard production yacht (although the costs of KYC's boutique semi custom yachts compare very well with some new production yachts on the market).

But, if you choose to go for a semi custom yacht, you'll be getting much more than just a boat.

You'll be setting sail in a vessel you can take immense pride in, because you would have played a central role in crafting your boat to your exact tastes and specifications. If you select KYC as your yacht builder, you can also look forward to the many benefits of becoming a member of the KYC family of yacht owners. 

This means you'll enjoy the support and expertise of an experienced team of yacht-building professionals for many years to come.

#3: Semi custom vs. production yacht

The advantages of having your own semi custom yacht built for you may be clear, but how do these boats compare to standard production yachts ?

Well, one major difference is alterations. When you're having a semi custom yacht built, you can make changes as you go. With a standard production yacht, you are buying the boat pre-made. Alterations to a production yacht after the fact can cost a lot of money, and may not be that simple – or safe – to execute.

Why would altering a production yacht post-sale be a safety risk? A production yacht's design and aesthetics may hide pre-existing flaws in the boat's construction. In itself, this could already pose potential safety risks. Making further changes or additions to a yacht that may already contain pre-existing design flaws would not be a wise course of action, and could be very dangerous indeed.

If you're involved in every step of the build of your semi custom yacht, you will have the opportunity to closely inspect your boat at every stage of its construction. This is a valuable advantage that could potentially allow you to avoid safety issues and layout problems relating to your boat.

#4: Building a semi custom yacht

If you choose to have yacht builders build your semi custom yacht from scratch, you'll be involved in every step of the process. For this reason, it will be in your interest to know as much as possible about your boat's building process.

So, what is the actual process of building a semi custom yacht?

Building the hull

The first stage of the yacht-building process involves the "bones" of your yacht. During this stage, your yacht's hull and superstructure are made.

Unless they have commissioned a completely custom yacht to be built from the ground up, boat owners typically aren't involved in the selection of their boat's hull. However, it is important to know what this process involves.

Constructing a boat's hull is a process that takes four to six months to complete and takes place in a boat builder's aluminium or steel workshop. A steel yacht hull is extremely durable, but it will add a lot of weight to the overall weight of your boat.

Steel is one of the most common hull-construction materials, as it can be constructed and maintained with low technology, and at a relatively low cost.

Aluminium or alloy hulls are one of the better options available for hull construction, as they are so much lighter. These hulls offer the durability and longevity of steel hulls, but add only a fraction of the weight of a steel hull to your yacht.

After your yacht's hull is complete, it will have to go through a rinsing and priming process before your boat will be ready for the next step in its construction: finishing.

Finishing the yacht

Once your yacht's hull is complete, the second stage of your yacht's build can commence. This is the part where you'll start to see your boat "come to life".

The finishing process of your yacht is made up of several stages, including:

• Installing the yacht systems
• Interior and exterior carpentry
• Insulating the yacht
• Varnishing the yacht interior
• Spray painting the hull/superstructure
• Installing the mast

Semi custom yachts are beautiful machines. And, under such a boat's surface, a lot goes on to keep that beautiful machine moving and functioning as a self-contained living unit on the water. A large network of wiring and systems will be expertly installed to keep your yacht running smoothly and safely.

Yacht systems

It takes several systems for your new boat to run, including a navigation system, anchoring system, electrical system, propulsion system, air conditioning system, water systems, and more.

Each of your yacht's systems requires an expert team possessing the necessary knowledge and expertise to install it correctly and efficiently. Some people set sail with a yacht engineer as part of their crew team, to keep everything running smoothly onboard. However, KYC offers all new Knysna yacht owners a complimentary, 2-week training period during which they are shown and taught everything they need to know in order to maintain their yacht's systems themselves.

Gel coating & interior and exterior carpentry

A yacht's gel-coating process is done with a resin that bonds with the fibreglass surfaces throughout your boat. Gel coating ensures no leaks and cracks on a yacht's surface, but it can also be applied to add more colour to your boat.

Since most yacht hulls and exteriors are finished in fibreglass, gel coating becomes an extremely important part of the yacht-building process.

After gel coating, the interior of the yacht receives a protective varnish. The yacht exterior is also gel-coated and waterproofed to prevent leaks and ensure the boat is completely sealed.

Carpentry is also an essential component of your new yacht. Marine carpentry experts are required for both the interior carpentry (think bathroom cabinets, kitchen counters and seating), as well as the decks and other carpentry aspects on the boat's exterior.

Yacht builders and their teams

If you select to have your yacht built by a big yacht-building company, a project manager will be appointed to oversee your yacht's construction, making sure the entire process runs smoothly. Project managers are typically the face of a boat-building company, and clients will deal with their boat's project manager as their point of contact throughout their yacht's construction process.

Underneath the project manager, you'll likely have a team of engineers, systems installers, artisans, an interior designer, and a few legal team members.

Should you choose to have your semi custom yacht built by KYC, you will be dealing directly with KYC’s owners. You will also have access to your under-construction yacht at all times, ensuring that the lines of communication remain open and that your needs are being met.

Selecting the right yacht builder

It's essential to choose the yacht builder best suited for your particular project. There are several questions you should ask yourself before selecting a company to build your yacht.

First, you will have to decide on the type of vessel you want. Many boat builders specialise in certain types of boats. Knowing what type of boat you want will be the first step toward deciding which yacht builder is right for you.

Next, you'll want to figure out how far you'll typically be sailing. This is known as your yacht's range. If you're only planning on doing shorter sailing trips, that will require a specific type of boat. If you want to sail out on the ocean for weeks or months at a time, that will require a different kind of boat entirely.

Finally, ask yourself how long you're willing to wait for your new boat . This wait is known as your lead time. If you're okay with waiting 2-4 years for your yacht to be built, then you can consider selecting a fully custom yacht. 

Semi custom yachts, including KYC’s artisan-built Knysna 500SE and Knysna 550 yachts can be completed much faster. This will vary from builder to builder, but most semi custom yachts have a much shorter lead time than a fully custom boat that is built from scratch.

Financing a semi custom yacht

Financing a boat that is yet to be built is notoriously difficult, with most banks and financial institutions only willing to provide loans for completed boats. At KYC, we offer clients a Yacht Construction Financing Option, allowing them full flexibility to pay off building costs over the boat's complete building timeframe.

Become a yacht owner faster

Let us answer your yacht-building questions!

Read our blog article on yacht financing and learn more about KYC's unique Yacht Construction Financing Option.

Let us answer your yacht-building questions

There are lots of points to consider when you're thinking of having a boat built. 

Our team of KYC yacht-building experts will help you navigate the yacht-building process to ensure that your journey towards ultimate freedom is smooth sailing every step of the way.

Don't hesitate to send us a message at [email protected] and let us know how we can help.

Yacht Maintenance - Top Tips for Protecting Your Investment

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Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

September 13, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• There are many sailboats that anyone can build from home depending on tastes
• Budget will be the biggest deciding factor on a majority of the process
• Consider kits that come with most of what you need or choose ones that are all-inclusive
• Design complexities and new materials may make the building time process longer
• Plan the best you can ahead of time to save money and your working hours

‍ Buying a sailboat can be expensive, but building your own can save you money. So what are sailboats you can build from home?

Sailboats that you can build from home will likely be a small boat under 20 feet. These could be from many different boat suppliers such as B&B Yachts, Brooks Boat Designs, and Chase Small Craft. Boat plans will vary based on your budget and how much time you have on your hands.

Based on my previous experience, building your own boat will take much longer than if a professional were to do it. You also have to be able to study plans, consider various sailboat designs, and have tons of supplies such as fiberglass tape or fiberglass cloth. On top of that, you will also have to be good with your hands.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Affordable Sailboats Anyone Can Build at Home

Building your own pocket cruiser or other styles from boat plans is an impressive feat, as this will need dedicated time and money to assure your boat sails safely. Boat building takes a lot of patience as well, especially since this will not be completed in a fast manner.

Finding boat plans and materials that fit your budget will be key to being able to complete the project. The time it takes to complete these projects will vary on your overall experience and needs. Below are 10 of the most affordable sailboats that you can build in the comfort of your home.

B&B Yachts

B&B Yachts have 14 different boat plans you can choose from to find the boat of your desires. Their shop is located along the Bay River in North Carolina where they construct all of the kits and have a 100 foot dock to show off your project once you complete it.

One popular model to check out is their Core Sound 15, as it is the perfect size for those wanting to build a modest size boat for a handful of people on board. Their website features some videos of completed projects and the plans or kits for purchase.

• 14 different models to choose from plus some dinghies
• Various monohull and multihull options
• Friendly customer service with attractive prices
• Might be too many options for some that are indecisive
• Not ideal for those wanting to have a motor sailer

Brooks Boat Designs

Brooks Boat Designs has a handful of options to consider for your next sailboat building project. They are located in Brookline, Maine and give the option to buy the kits or have them build one from scratch for you. They have plenty of knowledge, so do not be shy to ask about modifications or custom features you are looking for.

Depending on your specifics, they can attempt to accommodate some of their plans to help fit your desired outcome. By checking out their site, you can see many examples of their construction in progress and what the boats will look like when completed.

• Offers a variety of kits
• Plans vary around $50 and up, while materials will obviously add more costs
• Some plans can be rowing boats that can convert to sailboats
• Might take a while to hear back from them, as their contact section is a little outdated
• Their plans may not accommodate a ton of extras for your taste

Chase Small Craft

Chase Small Craft offers a simple process for building boats. Their kits are equipped with everything you need and will help save you time than just buying the materials outright and other parts you could need. This is arguably one of the best bang for buck instances if you want to save time and money searching for pieces to your boat.

They are located in Saco, Maine and will ship everything to your home from there. All the necessary materials are included and all you need are the proper tools and working space.

• All-inclusive kits with what you need
• Tons of knowledge on their site for boat building
• Easy process to order and customize
• Complete kits can range over $20,000 for larger boats
• Kits may take up to eight weeks to ship out

Chesapeake Light Craft

You can expect high-quality boat kits from Chesapeake Light Craft . They feature 18 different sailboat kits that vary from eight to 20 feet in length. This should be more than enough to find one for you if you are newer to boat building.

They also have a wide variety of other kits in addition to the sailboat, in the event that you wanted to order a small kayak or paddleboard in addition to your sailboat. The prices vary considerably when considering a small or larger boat, so check the complete list of options to in order to potentially fit your needs.

• Plenty of sailboat offerings to choose from
• Different beautiful hull form options to consider
• Easy to build and perfect for sailing
• Only has basic materials needed for kit, so you may need to purchase other items
• Has epoxy shipping fee no matter if you pick up item

Dudley Dix Yacht Design

Dudley Dix Yacht Design has an extensive list of plywood and single skin sailing boat options. They have plenty of sail plans and kits to consider depending on your goals. These follow a classic look for sailboats, which are aesthetically pleasing.

If you are wanting one to accommodate a small family, they have more than plenty to look through. The cost is not as bad compared to others, but keep in mind that you may need to throw in your own supplies or specific tools to get the job done.

• Plans start at $30 and range up to $7,500 or more for kits
• More than enough of options to consider
• Affordable variety of sailboat offerings
• Might be too many options for those new to sailing
• Most are wood without the use of aluminum or steel

Farrier Marine

If you are in search of a multihull to build, then Farrier Marine is what you need. They offer a unique folding catamaran that is trailerable and give you the option to build it yourself. This not only makes it an appealing option, but anyone can take this multihull boat wherever they want with ease.

It features a thorough construction guide once you receive all of the materials. These also come with stainless steel fasteners and an aluminum mast for high-quality materials. Pricing will vary since you must request which model type you are considering.

• Ability to build a unique catamaran
• In-depth construction guide to help
• Easily handled and trailerable
• Price may be too high
• Limited offerings since only a few multihull options

Glen-L Marine Designs

Building a boat from Glen-L Marine Designs can save you time and money. They feature an easy system to order and receive the kits, as well as an in-depth guide to building them. This is an appealing option compared to most boat kit sellers.

The beauty about Glen-L is that anyone can build these from scratch, so you do not have to be the best boat builder in the world to get it done. They offer guides and helpful insights from their team to point you in the right direction. Plans vary around $15, while kits can range well over $1,000 depending on boat size.

• Nearly 50 designs to choose from
• Complete guide to help anyone build it
• Plenty of price points depending on size
• Might be overwhelming with the amount of options
• Could take a while to get parts since they are popular

John Welsford Boat Designs

John Welsford Boat Designs invites new and veteran boat builders that want a taste of quality small wooden boats. The boat plans are designed to meet your specifications and are catered to your desires.

There are seven sailboat designs to choose from so you do not feel overwhelmed in the process. However, they do not sell kits all the time, so you would need to have the materials or be on the lookout for the best prices when they are available.

• Seven sailboat plans with different sizes
• Quality boat builder and supporting community
• In-depth knowledge provided to you when you order
• Might be too small of boat size
• Kits are not always available

Iain Oughtred

There are plenty of options on the wooden boat store, but you should narrow down your search for Iain Oughtred’s line of sailboat kits and plans. There are 25 different plans to choose from, which should accommodate most everyone looking to build their own boat.

While they do offer some kits, they do not routinely offer sailboat kits. You would need to purchase all of the materials if you are considering one of their sail plans. Keep this in mind if you are considering, as you would need to hunt down the parts yourself.

• 25 different sailboat plans to look through
• Various sizes to contemplate for you sailing needs
• Prices will vary but are not bad compared to market
• No sailboat kits, only plans
• Newer boat builders might find too many options unappealing

Paul Gartside Boat Builder and Designer

Gartside Boats is a boat builder company based in Long Island, New York that showcases a variety of boats from traditional and newer methods of boat building. Within that variety, they have boat plans meant for six to 50 feet in length.

With an abundance of options, you will need to contact them regarding prices and any customizable options. Kits may vary as well, as they typically design in-house and build for you.

• Experienced boat designer that can accommodate with custom plans
• Many options are trailerable
• Can have plans for up to a 50 foot boat
• You will need to contact them for prices
• Customized options may make process more complicated for new boat builders

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Sailboat at Home?

As you have likely already done so, the math between building your own boat and buying one may be a huge difference. Likewise, you may even enjoy the challenge of taking an older boat that is gutted and restoring with parts from a kit to build one new again.

But how much does it cost exactly to build a boat from the comfort of your own garage or workshop? The prices are going to vary dramatically depending on your situation and material needed to get the job done. In addition, the time that it takes to complete this will also vary.

Sail plans are rather inexpensive if you are aiming to build a small boat. These plans allow you to see the workings of the boat design and what you need to build the boat.

Without these plans, you will not know the exact details of the design and it can cause major issues with the boat’s hull or other areas of the boat. Think of these as the backbone or instructions of the boat’s infancy before being built.

Price Per Square Foot

You should assume to pay anywhere between $300 to $600 per square foot if you are interested in building a boat. Buying a kit outright can be a good way to save time, but oftentimes these do not come with everything you need.

Instead, you should try to source as much of the materials at the best price as possible. Thinking ahead is part of the process and you might be able to score a deal at a lumber yard or hardware store for parts.

Boat Designs Matter

The design of the boat will be much different from one boat to the next, regardless if they are the same size in length. If you are pondering boats that range anywhere between 16 and 20 feet, you should factor in the shape of the hull, any rigging, and various appendages.

Prices tend to increase when there are more complexities within the designs. If you are considering a kit with more details than others, you will also have to pay more for the designs on that as well.

Kits Can Differ

It is important to understand that all kits are not going to be the same. As you gander at sailboat kits online to stitch together, you need to thoroughly look over to see if you have everything you need before buying.

It would also be at your advantage to ask the seller if any additional parts or supplies are needed. This may change your dynamic on the kit buying process and you may pass up one for another if it has everything you need. An all-inclusive kit may cost several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars more to have the convenience of everything in the bundle.

Construction Approaches

Some boat plans may require you to have certain tools to get the job done. This means special saws or planers, which the average person simply does not have.

Purchasing specialty tools might be expensive upfront and hard to find depending on what it is. Your best bet would be to check locally for others trying to sell their tools or consider a boat plan that does not require extensive tools to finish the job.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Sailboat?

An easy to build sailboat could take a while to build from scratch. Many different variances come into play that are difficult to pinpoint for everyone. But how long is that exactly and how will your experience play into this?

A fun project to sail in the wind could take you several months to well over a year depending on the boat plan and how big your boat is going to be. In addition, the materials all need to be accounted for prior to starting in the event a hardware store does not have them in stock.

Time Varies

The time that passes for simple boat designs on small sailing vessels can be done in a few weeks. This is assuming you have everything you need and work non-stop around the clock.

Certain complex situations may make the process long, such as the difficulty of working with some materials. If you are a skilled laborer, it may take you half the time compared to a novice. The amount of time it can take will vary on your availability and skill level.

Planning ahead will undoubtedly offer the most time-saving features. It also helps if you can tackle parts of the project at your own pace.

Complexity of Design

The design of the boat may make the construction process longer. For example, it may take you longer to build a catamaran compared to a similar lengthed monohull.

More complex designs might require more materials, therefore making the process a bit longer to complete. Furthermore, you will also need more experience working with difficult designs and that will affect you more as a newbie.

Be sure to manage your expectations well and do not allow yourself to become too stressed over this fun project. If you can, seek expert boat building advice from a local builder or the company you purchased sail plans through.

Quality Materials

The quality of the materials will matter significantly when building a boat and will greatly affect the time it takes to construct it. Handling fiberglass or carbon fiber might require specialty tools, while wood also demands a certain level of craftsmanship.

If you are not skilled at working with the material at hand, it might affect the quality of the build and you may have to go back to fix mistakes. This will definitely add more time to your project, because mistakes are bound to happen with your first project.

To save time, consider adding the tools and materials throughout the year or as often as your budget allows. You may want to try testing your skills on fiberglass or other materials to get a feel for how to work with it.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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How Carpenter’s Boat Shop inspired a gondola builder in Venice

Thom Price, a self-described “wood-shop geek” from a family of woodworkers up in Southern Appalachia, credits Pemaquid’s Carpenter’s Boat Shop for providing him with the skills and confidence to become one of Venice Italy’s most celebrated gondola builders. 

“The Boat Shop played a formative role in my life helping shape my worldview at an important time,” he recalls. And he specifically cites Boat Shop co-founders Bobby and Ruth Ives as mentors who continue to inspire and direct his life’s work. 

“I was at the Boat Shop from 1991-1993 and fell in love with boats and boatbuilding,” Price says. “I couldn't believe that you could take a pile of lumber and turn it into something so beautiful as a boat with just basic tools. But I built a 21-foot sailing dory with a deck and cabin as my major project for my apprenticeship. 

“That's how Bobby changed my life,” he adds. A stint teaching traditional woodworking at a school in North Carolina led to completion of his undergraduate college study in Kentucky. A Thomas J. Watson (IBM) Fellowship award then provided Price with the support to spend a year abroad pursuing a project of personal interest.  

With his Boat Shop experience a powerful driver, “I knew my proposal would have something to do with traditional boats,” Price says, “and I started looking into various places around the world to go when I discovered the Venetian Gondola.  

“As soon as I started learning about the design and history of that boat, I got a very good feeling about it. I wrote my proposal to learn about building gondolas in Venice, and the Watson Foundation really liked it.  

“In the spring of 1996, I packed my tools and headed for Italy, not speaking a word of Italian.” 

That one-year fellowship led to a 10-year vocation as a master gondola craftsman whose work is still celebrated in online chatrooms among fanciers of the light flat-bottomed boats that are the underpinnings of Venetian commerce and tourism. 

On Thursday night. April 11, at 7:00pm, Price promises to discuss the history and construction of the Venetian gondola in the latest entry in the Carpenter’s Boat Shop Spring Lecture Series. “I'll also talk about finding my maestro, learning Italian (and Venetian), eventually having my own historic boatyard, the difficulties I encountered, abandoning boatbuilding as a career, and my plans to return in the very near future.” 

Passion for energy research and planning pulled Price away from Venice and, again, he drew inspiration from his Boat Shop experience to move in a new direction. Though Ruth Ives passed away in 2006, “she remained a hero for me,” he explains. “Ruth taught me the importance of helping low-income families have a home that's warm, safe, and dry.  

“When I moved back to the US in 2007, I went back to Kentucky, where houses were very affordable. I started buying homes, making them energy-efficient, and renting them to low-income families.  

“There, the problem isn't finding an inexpensive place to rent, but being able to afford the utility bills. By weatherizing the homes, I was able to keep my tenants much longer.” 

Work at a local community action agency and certification as an energy auditor gave Price a chance to help more people. “I still proudly say that I started in ‘Weatherization’ in the Boat Shop Maine and that gets me lots of street cred with the Department of Energy. 

“I currently provide support to the DOE, Building Technologies Office on decarbonization initiatives,” he continues. And as he considers his next move after a successful career in energy efficiency, Thom Price looks back to his time at the Boat Shop for inspiration and direction.  

“I am starting a non-profit organization for boatbuilding apprenticeships here in Baltimore—where I live on a boat—that will look very similar to the Carpenter's Boat Shop and include a program that will be a lot like CHiP,” the Lincoln County corps of volunteers founded by Ruth Ives in 1984 to provide skills and services to people in need  at no cost to homeowners.   

Price recalls, “The Boat Shop was “the ideal place to discover who I was and to come into my own…. Bobby and Ruth Ives helped shape my worldview at an important time in my life. They taught me that loving my neighbor as myself requires loving myself for who I am and that when my neighbor's world is better, so is mine.” 

Alicia Witham, Carpenter’s Boat Shop executive director, notes, “This summer we will celebrate our 45th year anniversary. Our apprenticeship program is strong, and we are providing an abundance of opportunities for folks to participate, learn, and be a part of our community.: 

The Boat Shop’s spring 2024 lecture series concludes on May 9 with an evening with Bobby Ives, the organization’s founder.  

For more information about the Carpenter’s Boat Shop, and to attend the Virtual Speakers series, email  [email protected] , log onto  carpentersboatshop.org , or call 677-2614. 

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Moscow - Russian Rivers and Waterways Port of Call

Moscow is a wonderful city to visit, and travelers on river ship cruise tours to or from St. Petersburg spend a few days in Moscow . This capital city of Russia was our last port on a river cruise tour, and we had about four days to see most of the highlights. Our first day we did an overview driving tour and rode the subway under the Mockba (Moscow) River to Red Square. The next day we toured the State Armory and the Kremlin.

These photos show some of the other highlights you can see with three or four days in Moscow .

The Northern River Terminal is located on the Moscow Canal in the northwest section of Moscow at the Khimki Reservoir.

Most river cruise ships sailing between Moscow and St. Petersburg use the ship as a hotel while in Moscow. Because of traffic, it's often a long drive into the city, but the sights along the way are interesting, and you only have to unpack once for the river cruise.

View of Downtown Moscow from Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills is the best place to get a great panoramic view of Moscow. The Sparrow Hills overlook the Mockba River and are near Moscow State University.

Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

Novodevichy Convent in Moscow was founded in 1524, and was once used as a sort of prison for the unwanted wives and sisters of the Tsars. Peter the Great sent both his first wife and his sister to Novodevichy. Since the convent had such famous nuns, it was very wealthy due to the many donations of the Tsars and their families. At one time in the 1700s, the cloister had over 36,000 serfs working in 36 villages. Novodevichy was ravaged by the French armies in 1812, but the brave nuns saved the buildings by disarming the fuses set to blow them up. The Soviets wanted to make the convent into a museum in the early 1920s, but it was again saved.

Novodevichy also has a cemetery with the graves of many famous Russians, including Nikita Khrushchev, Anton Chekhov, Raisa Gorbachev, and Yuri Nikulin.

View of the Mockba River in Moscow, Russia

The Mockba (Moscow) River runs into the Volga via the 79.5 mile long Moscow Canal.

River ships sailing between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the Baltic Waterways embark and disembark at the Northern River Terminal about an hour's drive from the city. The drive time can vary significantly in length because of the heavy Moscow traffic. The river looks peaceful here, as it winds around the cosmopolitan area of Moscow.

Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer (Cathedral of Christ the Savior) in Moscow

The Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer, also known as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, is the largest church in Russia, holding 10,000 worshipers.

The original Cathedral of Christ the Savior was built over 44 years to celebrate the 1812 victory over Napoleon. It was completed in 1883. Stalin had the church destroyed in 1931, but it was rebuilt using mostly private funds in 1999. The new church is a replica of the original. Note that it took 44 years the first time and only 4 years the second to complete the church! Isn't modern technology impressive.

One interesting tidbit is that it took three attempts to blow up the church in 1931. Stalin planned to build a huge Palace of the Soviets on the cleared land, but engineers determined that the land was too boggy. In the 60 years intervening, the space was used for a variety of things, including a year-round swimming pool!

Vendors' Market and Ski Jump at Sparrow Hills in Moscow

The panoramic view of Moscow from Sparrow Hills is a stopover for most tour groups, so we were not surprised to see a large number of vendors. The ski jump was a surprise, but Moscow gets very cold in winter, so winter sports are very popular. This ski jump is near Moscow State University and has a great view of the city. Seeing this ski jump reminded me of the famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump in Oslo, which also has a great view of that northern capital city.

Russian Soldiers' Memorial in Victory Park in Moscow

Matryoshka dolls for sale in moscow.

I thought this display of dolls was beautiful! The Matryoshka nesting dolls range in price from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars.

Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia

This small band greeted us at the Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow. They played a variety of band music and made us all feel very welcome.

Grand Triumphal Arch Celebrates the Victory Over Napoleon in the War of 1812

This arch looks a little like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and it is located near the Victory Park Metro Station in Moscow.

This Grand Triumphal Arch is decorated with the coats of arms from the 48 Russian provinces. To celebrate the victory over France in the war of 1812, it also includes bas-reliefs of the "Expulsion of the French." The arch was originally built in 1834, but has only been on this site since 1968.

It is a little ironic that this arch resembles the Paris Arc de Triomphe , which Napoleon built between 1806 and 1836 to celebrate his French victories.

Moscow Metro Station at the Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square)

This station near Red Square has many statues honoring the workers of Russia.

Moscow Metro Station near Victory Park

The Metro in Moscow is one of its shining industrial achievements. Construction on the Metro was begun in 1931 and continues today. The system has over 165 stations and 155 miles of track. Over 9300 trains, traveling sometimes as fast as 56 mph, navigate the huge system each day. Almost 10 million people ride the Moscow Metro every day, which is more than the New York and London systems combined. We found the Metro to be very efficient, with trains arriving every few minutes.

Navigating the Metro system can be somewhat of a problem for non-Russian speaking riders. Most of the signage is in Cyrillic only, and the stations are quite large. Trying to find the correct exit while walking long distances underground can be challenging.

On our cruise tour, we rode the Metro as a group with our program director from near Victory Park under the Mockba River to Red Square. Several of the group ventured out on their own during our time in Moscow, and many rode the Metro. They all returned with stories of getting lost underground, but none seemed the worse for the experience, and they all loved telling the tales.

Red Square in Moscow

Red Square in Moscow is a must-see for visitors to the capital city of Russia.

The Kremlin in Moscow, Russia

The Kremlin is a favorite of Moscow tourists. Inside these walls are buildings for the government of Russia, cathedrals, and the wonderful State Armory museum.

Taras Bulba Restaurant in Moscow

We enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian lunch at this cute restaurant in Moscow before checking in at our hotel.

Buses Wait for Passengers Outside Museum

River cruise tour groups are usually divided into groups for the duration of the tour. Each group had their own bus when touring.

Military Airplanes at the Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia

Although much of the military museum was indoors, there was quite a collection of planes, helicopters, missile launchers, and tanks outside.

Foreign Ministry Building, One of Moscow's Seven Stalinist-Gothic Skyscrapers

Seven skyscrapers with layers giving them a "wedding cake" appearance dot the Moscow skyline. The style is considered Stalinist-Gothic.

Russian and American War Veterans at the Central Museum of Armed Forces

Meeting with some World War II Russian War veterans was a highlight of our day at the Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow.

Rocket Launchers and Missiles at the Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow

The inside of this museum is particularly impressive, but you will need a guide since all of the signage is only in Russian.

Old Arbat Pedestrian Shopping Area in Moscow

We all enjoyed exploring the shops on this mile-long pedestrian shopping area.

Food prices were high in the tourist attraction, with two small pizzas, two small beers, and a bottle of water at an outdoor cafe costing $40. Many of our group ate at the large McDonalds, where prices were more reasonable.

Female Cosmonaut Model at Star City Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow

Female cosmonauts play an important role in the Russian space program. In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova from Yaroslavl was the first woman in space.

Souvenir Shop in Old Arbat Shopping Area in Moscow

The area of Old Arbat had many English signs to attract the tourist trade.

Centrifuge at Star City Outside Moscow, Russia

This 18 meter centrifuge is the world's largest. The centrifuge weighs over 30000 tons, and the maximum load is 30 G, but most tests are run at 3 or 4 G.

A centrifuge ride is the first test for a cosmonaut, whose entire training school takes from five to eight years. The centrifuge can simulate the extreme force of gravity that cosmonauts (and astronauts) face when going into space. A centrifuge training session lasts about 30 minutes, and the trainee experiences both the centrifugal force as well as the spin of the pod he/she is riding in. Just typing this makes me a little queasy!

Cosmonaut's Bathroom Facilities on First Space Flights at Star City

Just like in the USA, everyone who visits the Star City cosmonaut training center near Moscow wants to know how cosmonauts "go to the bathroom". They have more sophisticated equipment today, but this contraption from the early space flights is fairly self explanatory.

Star City Tank Used for Cosmonaut Weightlessness Training near Moscow

This 12-meter deep pool is used to simulate weightlessness training. The pool is flooded and the cosmonauts perform repair tasks on the model of the International Space Station. SCUBA diving underwater is very similar to the weightless experience the cosmonauts experience when working in outer space.

Mir Space Station Replica at Star City near Moscow

The original Mir disintegrated when it fell to earth in 2001. Mir, which means peace in Russian, was launched in 1986.

Marvel Paull with Statue of Yuri Gagarin at Star City near Moscow

Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space, and the Star City Cosmonaut training center was named after him in 1968.

River Cruise Passengers with Yuri Onufrienko, Russian Cosmonaut at Star City

In case you can't tell, Yuri is the one in the middle. My famous traveling mother, Marvel Paull, is on the left and Dick, a cruise friend is on the right.

A highlight of our day in Star City was a visit with Yuri Onufrienko , a Russian cosmonaut who spent extended time in space at the Mir space station in 1996 and the International Space Station in 2001-2002. Yuri patiently took many questions from our small inquisitive group.

Cosmonaut Space Suit at Star City near Moscow

Cosmonauts sit in this position on take off. Thanks to Jerry G. for the tip about the sign. It says, "Don't touch!"

Stained Glass Window at Star City near Moscow

Program directors at farewell dinner in moscow.

After 16 days of discovery, learning, and fun, we had a farewell dinner with the six Program Directors - Evgeny, Olga, Vladimir, Svetlana, Violetta, and Marina - in Moscow.

The Kremlin is a triangular, walled citadel in the center of Moscow. The Kremlin is considered by most to be the heart of the city. First conceived in the 12th century, the Kremlin (which means fortress) was expanded by Tsar Ivan III (Ivan the Great) during the 15th century. His architects designed the magnificent Cathedral of the Assumption and the Faceted Palace, and the Kremlin was an interesting mix of both Russian and Renaissance styles. During the Soviet time of the 1930s, many of the Kremlin buildings were destroyed or vandalized, and the complex remained closed to the public until 1955.

Today the Kremlin is home to the Russian President and his administration. Many buildings are open to the public, but you may need to be with a guide (check in advance).

I visited the Kremlin when in Moscow on a Russian Waterways cruise tour from St. Petersburg.

The Kremlin was also one of the 21 finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World.  

Red Square in Moscow, Russia

Red Square's name has nothing to do with Communism or Soviet Russia. The old Russian word for "beautiful" and "red" was the same; the square was supposed to be called "Beautiful Square". Red Square has been the center of Moscow activity since the 16th century when the Tsar cleared the area and allowed vendors, shoppers, and businesses to fill the square. Today this square is surrounded by the Moscow Kremlin, the State Historical Museum, GUM Shopping Mall , and St. Basil's Cathedral .

Many of the important events of the last three hundred years in Russia have been marked by parades or demonstrations in Red Square. Anyone who enters Red Square will have memories from TV or movie reels of this magnificent public square. Those of us who grew up during the Cold War era can remember the parades of soldiers, tanks, and other armaments past Lenin's Tomb just outside the Kremlin Wall. The World War II generation remembers Red Square as the site of a huge victory celebration at the end of the war.

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LEGO Friends Stephanie's Sailing Adventure Toy Boat Set 41716, Sailboat Building Toy with Island, Drone, and 3 Mini Figures, Creative Sailing Gift for Kids, Girls, Boys Age 7+ Years Old

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• This LEGO sailboat set for kids 7+ years old features a toy boat with a flexible sail, a finish-line build, an island and 3 mini-dolls
• With this LEGO Friends playset, kids build the sporty sailboat Hope and imagine beating a world-record time for sailing around the globe
• Includes 3 mini-dolls - Stephanie, Maxine and Elijah in sailing crew gear - and lots of fun accessories such as a tablet and a walkie-talkie
• This fun toy boat for kids aged 7+ years old also features toy binoculars, a drone and a controller, plus 3 life vests for mini-doll figures
• The set comes with LEGO Building Instructions app for smartphones or tablets plus printed instructions so kids can start the building right away
• This LEGO Friends boat toy makes a creative birthday gift for girls and boys age 7 plus who love sailing and LEGO vehicle models

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Give little ones who love boats and cool LEGO vehicle models a gift they’ll adore with Stephanie's Sailing Adventure (41716) boat toy for kids 7+ years old. Kids can join LEGO Friends Stephanie, who has achieved her dream of joining a crew who are attempting to break a world-record time for sailing around the globe. This LEGO Friends playset features a toy sailboat with authentic details such as a flexible sail, radar and a ship’s wheel that actually turns. There are also 3 LEGO Friends mini-dolls to help spark imaginative stories of adventure on the high seas: Stephanie, Elijah and Capt. Maxine with loads of cool accessories such as a tablet to call home, a walkie-talkie, toy binoculars, a drone and controller, plus 3 life vests to keep the mini-dolls safe. This creative set also helps kids learn about the epic achievement of a world-renowned sailor when they take part in Stephanie’s dream journey in which she gives her all in pursuit of sporting excellence. The set comes with clear printed instructions and kids can also access digital building instructions about how to make this sailing boat. This interactive guide is available from the LEGO Building Instructions app and lets kids rotate, zoom and view their creation in 3D! This children’s boat measures over 10 in. (26 cm) high, 3 in. (9 cm) long and 9 in. (25 cm) wide, so takes up little room when out on display. Contains 304 pieces.

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Imaginations set sail on epic adventures

Kids immerse themselves in creative role play as they imagine circumnavigating the globe with this realistic racing boat toy.

Creative play for kids who love the sea

Broaden youngsters’ horizons with this brick-built boat set, which includes 3 mini-dolls and a finish line build.

LEGO Friends Stephanie's Sailing Adventure

Extend the play and increase the fun

For never-ending adventures, add other LEGO Friends sets. Each one is sold separately and is available at different times.

Exciting gift for little adventurers

This creative playset makes an ideal birthday gift or special-occasion treat for boys and girls who love imaginative play.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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$200K in state funds awarded to boat manufacturer for expansion in Port of Bremerton

A decade after Inventech Marine Solutions was founded, the Bremerton manufacturer, which builds boats for the U.S. Coast Guard, other government agencies and private owners all over the world, is expanding to serve more. Recent plans include expanding to house a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility currently under construction west of the Bremerton National Airport.

The total cost of the building, which will handle 75% of Inventech's manufacturing work — from welding to integrating its recreational or commercial boats — and 8,000-square-foot office space as its new headquarters, could reach $5 to $6 million, Bowers said.

The company was recently awarded a state grant that could ease part of the financial burden. Through the Washington State Department of Commerce's Evergreen Manufacturing grant program, the state agency offered a $200,000 grant to Inventech's expansion, aiming at accelerating manufacturing job growth and economic opportunity across the state. The project was nominated by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance as a representative of the county and was recommended by U.S. Sixth District Rep. Derek Kilmer.

"We're really excited," Inventech Marine Solutions CEO Micah Bowers said as the news was announced at KEDA's annual meeting and economic forecast luncheon in the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort last week. "For us, it's just a wonderful opportunity."

Related: Inventech's aim of building an unsinkable boat

The other nine projects receiving a state grant — $200,000 for each — are Alternative Energy Materials in Whitman County, Chinook Enterprises at Skagit Valley College, Lafarge & Egge in Snohomish County, Twelve Benefit Corporation in Grant County, Zepher Flight Laboratories in Klickitat County, Consortium for Hydrogen and Renewably Generated E-fuels, Greater Spokane Incorporated, The Natural Resources Innovation Center, and Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator, according to the Department of Commerce.

More manufacturing, office, and boat storage space

The new building is being constructed just west of the Bremerton National Airport. The fund awarded to Inventech will be used immediately to expand the capabilities of the facility, going into the property as asset value that doesn't count as equipment or tooling, such as fencing, security and IT infrastructure, Bowers said.

"They (funds) can't be used for machinery," Bowers explained. "They can't be used for anything we could take with us if we left the building. That's the way the grant is written. So, we're going to have to put that money into use to basically make this manufacturing facility something that could live in perpetuity."

"The idea is that this building is where all the bulk of our boats are welded, and then integrated — so we put the stuff in — and then final QC (quality control) and testing," Bower said.

A new manufacturing facility not only offers additional manufacturing and office spaces for the company. Bowers also plans to turn its current headquarters on Imperial Way SW into a service and warranty facility, move its tube-making process into the existing building, and offer storage for local boat owners in the winter.

"We have a lot of clients that are local," Bowers said. "They don't know what to do with their boats in the winter, so they always ask us if we can store them. And so we're going to have more storage for clients."

Currently, Inventech has 95 employees working in its four facilities, a total of 35,000 square feet in Port of Bremerton. With the expansion, Bowers anticipated hiring more. The total number of its staff may reach 150 people in the next few years, Bowers said.

Construction of the building is expected to be completed in August, Bowers said.

The facility is not the only property at the airport that will see some change. On March 25, the Port of Bremerton said that Tres Sapos LLC signed a 50-year land lease with the port and became the new owner of a 12,000-square-foot hangar next to State Highway 3. The company, which owns the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum, plans to work on its secondary museum location at the airport, according to a statement released by the port. It's unknown when the construction of Tres Sapos LLC's project will start.

Inventech builds recreational or commercial boats for clients across the U.S. and in other countries. One of its biggest clients is U.S. Coast Guard, as the company currently has an 8-year contract with the service branch to build about 200 boats. One of Inventech's boat, purchased by the Baltimore Police Department some years ago, was recently used in rescuing after the Baltimore Bridge collapse, the CEO said.

Why the Baltimore bridge stood little chance against a fully loaded cargo ship

As questions surround the collapse of a Baltimore bridge after a containership crashed into it Tuesday, engineering experts say that while bridges have some built-in defenses against collisions, this one was most likely too extreme to withstand.

“Bridges are and should be designed to withstand ship impacts. That’s typical of the design process,” said Sanjay R. Arwade, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

“But for all structures and all engineered systems, there is a possibility that an event will occur that is beyond what the structure was designed for. And this may be one of those situations,” he added. 

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a roughly 1.5-mile-long steel arch truss bridge, collapsed into the Patapsco River early Tuesday after a containership struck it. Several vehicles crashed into the water, and one of the country’s busiest ports shut down.

Follow live updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse

An unknown number of workers with Brawner Builders Inc.   were repairing concrete ducts when the ship, called the Dali, hit a support pillar. Six employees are presumed dead .

Key Bridge was ‘fairly unprotected'

Arwade said design codes for modern bridges stipulate "what sort of loads it has to be able to resist.”

“Whenever a design code is written, decisions have to be made about what the most extreme conditions are,” he said. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the bridge was "fully up to code."

But the Key Bridge was built in 1977, and bridge design and technology have improved since then.

"Since the 1970s, we have a lot of advancements," Sameh Badie, a professor of engineering at George Washington University,  told NBC Washington. But he said, "I saw today a couple of videos before the collapse, and it seems to me, structurally wise, it was very safe."

Roberto Leon, a structural engineer at Virginia Tech, said that while engineers try to account for “extreme events” during the design and construction process, “when this bridge was built, there were no ships of this size.”

“This type of load was not really considered,” he said. “So the bridge was, I would say, fairly unprotected.”

Retrofitting older bridges could cost millions

Officials have not specified what type of protective infrastructure, if any, the Key Bridge had. 

Leon said that on a newer bridge, large concrete structures called dolphins are often used to protect the base. Dolphins can form a kind of frame and are designed to take the impact of a vessel and “slow the ship down and redirect it away from the bridge,” he said.

“In some cases, they’re called sacrificial elements, because they might be damaged beyond repair if an event of this type occurs, but of course, they save the bridge,” he added.

John Pistorino, a structural engineer in Florida, said dolphins are in use to protect the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida, which was reopened in 1987 , seven years after it was hit by a freighter. Thirty-five people died after the bridge collapsed into Tampa Bay.

Pistorino, who was involved in the construction of the rebuilt Sunshine Skyway Bridge, described dolphins as walls or guardrails.

“They can be concrete or steel … and they go all the way down to the bottom of the river,” he said. “They’re supposed to protect the abutments.” 

Jacksonville, Florida, Mayor Donna Deegan cited the dolphin infrastructure that's in place to protect the Dames Point Bridge — the only bridge in the city that cargo ships sail under — in a statement Tuesday. She noted that the bridge is also equipped with specialty sensors that provide real-time information about the distance between the water surface and the bottom of the bridge structure over the main channel.

Older and more vulnerable bridges can be retrofitted to add defensive infrastructure like dolphins, Leon said, but building them can cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

“I’m hoping that because of the infrastructure bill that passed, we are going to be able to do projects like this,” he said, referring to the $555 billion infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed in 2021. “Putting those into the budget and justifying them is very difficult when you have all kinds of other bridges that are in really sad shape. So it’s just a question of prioritization.”

However, Kevin Heaslip, director of the Center for Transportation Research and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, said the cost of designing bridges to withstand fully loaded cargo ships like the Dali would “be so high that we wouldn’t be able to have any bridges.”

Government oversight of bridges could increase

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he has been monitoring the situation in Baltimore. A team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board has been sent to the crash site. 

Leon said he hopes what happened in Baltimore will cause port operations to change “quite a bit.” Pistorino said the event may lead legislators to take a closer look at vulnerable bridges in the country and the types of maritime traffic in ports.

“Just like the building collapse in South Florida created a lot of legislation that required a more intimate type of building scrutiny, I think that will happen on the bridges,” he said.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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A beach hazard statement in effect for Coastal Volusia Region

‘i’m scared:’ unsafe docks could force boat owners to leave seminole marina.

Treasure Roberts , Reporter

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Boat owners at Boat Tree Marina near Sanford are worried they may have to find another place to live temporarily.

On Monday, two signs posted by the building official and Seminole County Fire Marshal warned that some of the marina docks are structurally inadequate and unsafe.

Kirk Eppenstein has lived on his boat at the marina for five years.

He and other residents said that because of an evacuation order posted by the Seminole County Fire Department, marina staff told residents they may be removed from their boats on Monday.

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“I wouldn’t have dreamt that this would be happening right now,” Eppenstein said.

He said his No. 1 fear is that he won’t have a place to sleep.

For many of the residents at the marina, the boat isn’t just for recreational use.

On March 13, Thomas Engineering Group conducted a structural inspection of all the docks finding C-dock structurally inadequate.

The report shows D-dock is also unsafe, except 41A, 41B, 42A, 42B and approximately four newly constructed aluminum finger docks.

Parts of E-dock are structurally unsound too, excluding 27-32.

The engineers recommend parts of the dock be removed and replaced, or a new floating boat dock and finger piers be constructed.

Boat Tree residents Ken Kavanaugh and Kristie Berry said that regardless of the circumstances, they were given too short notice.

“It just doesn’t seem reasonable. I think there (has to) be a better way to fix the problem without kicking people out of their homes, not their boats, their homes,” Kavanaugh said.

Berry said that at least two people on their dock are disabled, so she’s really concerned for them.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office sent News 6 this statement regarding the issue:

“Our Civil Division posts/serves eviction orders; however, they have not received any court paperwork for Boat Tree Marina. The boat owner would need to get an eviction order from the court first, and I don’t know if that has happened yet. Then a series of warning would need to be posted (some are 20 days, some maybe be only 5 days, depending on the circumstances) but in all cases, a 24-hour notice is required. All that being said, since we do not have any court paperwork, nothing will be happening on Monday.”

The fear of finding alternative housing still looms, though, as what comes next for these residents is still up in the air.

“I’m scared,” Eppenstein said.

News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts asked the SCFD whether the marina operator would be fined if they continued to allow boat owners to dock at Boat Tree.

A spokesperson said the operator can be brought to Special Magistrate Court.

Additionally, the Marina has a history of code violations dating back to August 2023.

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About the Author

Treasure roberts.

Treasure joined News 6 at the start of 2021, coming to the Sunshine State from Michigan.

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