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DIY Cruising Catamaran: Complete Building Guide

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A brand-new cruising catamaran can set you back a hefty amount of money. However, a DIY cruising catamaran provides a more affordable way to own your own boat. While building a large boat can be an extremely challenging and time-consuming experience, nothing beats the pleasure of bringing your own boat to life. 

To build a DIY cruising catamaran, buy good design plans, determine your budget and find a working space. Next, choose your hull material, buy supplies and start building the mast beam. Build and sheathe the hull, install bulkheads, the interior, and finally, launch the catamaran boat.

In this article, you will find a complete guide to building your own catamaran. You will also find detailed information on why you may want to consider building your catamaran and approximately how much this project would cost. Finally, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of building a catamaran from scratch.

Why You Might Want To Build Your Own Catamaran

Most people might think that purchasing a used boat to repair and fix it up would be cheaper than a DIY cruising catamaran. But while building your own catamaran could be an enormous undertaking, it also comes with many advantages over buying something used. 

Other than the unique opportunity to create beautiful memories and experiences while cruising, sailing, and exploring beautiful coastlines, there are a number of benefits that come along with the DIY approach.  

Knowing Your Boat

Building your own catamaran provides you with intimate knowledge of your boat. You will know every corner, including where to find every bolt, wire, bulkhead, rib, hose, and support as you installed them yourself. This knowledge will enhance your confidence while at sea since you will have entrusted your life to a boat whose history you are aware of and deeply connected to.

Pride of Ownership

The satisfaction you get from crafting something with your own hands is immense. As a result, the knowledge that you built your boat from scratch will fill you with absolute pride and an immense sense of achievement. Furthermore, as an owner-builder, you get to keep and enjoy the boat for as many years as you wish.

Substantial Cost Savings

Building your catamaran will work out cheaper than buying a new or even gently used boat. Though you will likely require some additional labor since doing some things will require an extra pair of hands, if you are particularly good at DIY, you will save a significant amount of money on labor costs as a whole. 

Freedom To Create Your Own Designs

If you decide to buy a catamaran boat, it might not be easy to find one that meets your unique needs. However, instead of choosing from production boats that bear traditional and outdated designs, you can come up with an ultra-modern design or style for your catamaran. You also get to pick your layout, size, and equipment based on your taste and budget.

Great Learning Experience

Building your own boat will help you pick up numerous skills that will come in handy later when sailing your boat. As much as you might still require an expert to help you with specialized skills like carpentry or wiring, your new skills will serve you well. This will also be beneficial when it comes to your boat’s maintenance and fixing things for yourself. 

What To Look For in Catamaran Boat Designs

When deciding on the type of catamaran boat to build, you may want to choose a design that’s simple and easy to build. This is because doing so will allow you to spend a shorter time building the boat. 

You also need to have a set of requirements to guide you in choosing your design or what you might call an ideal cruising catamaran wish list. This is essential because, ultimately, you want to build a boat that offers outstanding qualities such as:

• Delivers good speed
• Affordable to own and operate
• Agile, strong, and easy to maintain
• Has a high resistance to capsizing
• Great for sailing and cruising
• Delivers a comfortable and easy motion underway
• Good handling ability and high performance under sail
• User-friendly embarking and disembarking
• Provides ample living and accommodation space 
• Presents a reasonable resale value

It’s worth noting that, in general, catamaran boats tend to offer a fair resale value mainly because of scarcity and the high price accorded to production models. So, if you build a well-constructed catamaran, you are bound to get a return that’s much higher than the cost of materials upon resale.

It’s also good to consider whether the design you settle on is from an established designer. This is significant because documentation of the building process is just as valuable when it comes to selling the boat.

How Much Would It Cost To Build Your Own Catamaran?

The cost of building your cruising catamaran will depend heavily on the size of the boat you plan to build and the skills you bring to the table. To give you an idea of probable costs, a professionally built 40 foot (12.1 m) long cruising catamaran could go for up to $300,000. 

Though building it yourself will undoubtedly be cheaper, most DIY boatbuilders tend to underestimate the expected costs. Your final costs should cover not only the cost of material and equipment but also the labor and time it would take to come up with the final product. 

If you were to build a 40-foot (12.1-meter) catamaran, your cost of materials would range between 20-30% of the total cost. Therefore, for $300,000 total, the boat’s materials would range between $60,000 and $90,000. The hull tends to range between 15-35% of the total build. Again, this depends on the finish and furniture.

But before you even start working on the DIY project, you will need to figure out where to do the work. If your home has ample space, then you can opt for a backyard building. But if you live in a small apartment, then you might want to consider renting a small garage at first and then move on to a boatyard later. This is one of the significant costs involved in building your multi-haul.  

What You Will Need

To get a clearer picture of how much the entire project would cost, let’s have a look at what else you will need to purchase.

• Good design plans
• Working space
• Ground tackle
• Matting and roving
• Equipment such as the engine, windows, rudders, deck fittings, mast, and rigging

In addition to the above, you also need to install plumbing and electricals. You may also want to consider going electric rather than using diesel. Not only will this drastically reduce your maintenance costs, but you get to use the regenerated power for all of your housing needs while sailing. 

Some catamaran boat designs help you save costs by advocating the use of less expensive corpus materials. Most of the material goes directly into making the boat, which means there is hardly any wastage on vacuum bagging . With this method, there are few molds and temporal building forms and fewer fillers to grind off as waste. All these factors reduce the time and cost it takes to build your catamaran boat.

That said, building a boat of any kind is a huge financial undertaking. As such, you still need to have the financial ability to keep building; otherwise, your project will stall or take much longer than anticipated. Instead of enjoying yourself and making memories cruising to faraway lands, you might end up spending all your time building a seemingly never-ending boat.

To reiterate, this project is more of a labor of love, given that it involves a tremendous amount of manual work. Calculating an hourly rate on the time spent building the boat and adding this cost to that of materials may make it seem a very pricey exercise. However, it is vital to understand that your time matters, and every hour you spend working for “free” should be included. 

With that in mind, you need to ensure that you are fully devoted to the boat construction project and are sure you want to do it before you begin. Stopping halfway because it seems like too much work would be incredibly costly.

How To Build a Catamaran

When it comes to building a cruising catamaran, you have 3 main options:

• You can buy an old boat and refurbish it.
• Purchase a bare hull plus deck molding for a home-boat building.
• Start from scratch and build everything, including the hull, on your own. 

As mentioned above, renovating an existing boat may end up being more costly than starting from scratch. To build a catamaran boat from scratch, follow the below step-by-step guide.

Prepare the Essentials

Before you jump into such a large project, there are several important aspects to consider:

• Buy your plans from an established catamaran designer. You can also get inexpensive, easy-to-build catamaran designs online.
• Get access to a large working space or build a shed . Depending on your climate, you may need to opt for climate control to avoid an excess of moisture in humid areas. 
• Decide on your choice of hull material. This could be fiberglass, aluminum, steel, wood, or ferroconcrete. 
• Start working on a bill of materials estimate. Include everything that you think you need to get a better idea of the initial costs.

Build the Mast Beam

Using wood and epoxy, cut and glue together the pieces of wood that will form the mast beam. Most of the work at this stage can occur in a garage since it involves building small parts. Still, the work could take up to 4 months, so be prepared to put in long hours.

Build the Boat Hull

Now, it’s time to build the boat’s hull. A catamaran comprises two hulls which are connected with a deck. Below is a short video showing how to build a hull mold:

This work requires a larger facility, so you might need to move out of the garage and into a boatyard. If you don’t have access to a larger workshop, consider building a shed where you can work as you do the construction. Make sure there’s enough room to fit the boat and also allow you to work comfortably. To cover the shed, you can use opaque white tarps. 

Sheathe the Hull

Get all the materials you require for this stage in the construction, such as lots of resin, fiberglass, and foam for use in the hull cores. You’ll also require matting and glass roving to sheath the hull . 

Sheathing helps to make the hull impervious to water and other marine borers. But first, you need to prepare the hull using a rotary sander. To make it as smooth as possible, use light, sweeping strokes. This is a very dusty task so be prepared to wear a facemask and safety goggles. 

Install the Bulkheads

Next is installing the plywood bulkheads . You might need to call in friends to help turn the hulls or use a crane. In this step, you will need to laminate the hull sides on the molded hull panels and bond them above the bulkheads. Ensure the bulkheads are snug and sealed in place.

Construct the Interior Structure

Over the next couple of months, the boat work will involve joining the hulls together with the beams that you had made back in the garage. Then, install the cuddy cabin, decks , and the cockpit . Soon the boat will start to take the shape of a catamaran.

Next, proceed to construct the major structural components such as stairs, hatches, mini-keels, and the interior. Then comes the work of fairing the boat, which is quite labor-intensive. 

Finally, it’s time to apply primer on the catamaran boat and start the paintwork. Before painting the boat, you will need to do additional sanding to finish off the two layers of primer as well as fill all the pinholes. Since it’s a large boat, the catamaran has lots of surface area; thus, the sanding could get extremely exhausting—mentally and physically—at this point.

The painting can take a while, too. The hulls are the easiest to paint, but the topsides, non-skid, as well as masking and prepping could seem never-ending. 

The final stretch involves working on the center bridge deck cabin and other final touches like installing the engines, electricals, and plumbing. This is also the time to fix the rudders, rigging, mast, windows, and deck fittings.

Launch Your Cruising Catamaran

After many months or years of hard work, your cruising catamaran is finally ready to test the waters. After lowering the boat into the water, check carefully in case there are leaks. If none, you can set up the sails and take your catamaran out for your first cruise. 

Below is a short video that takes you through the entire boat-building process:

If you don’t have deep pockets, don’t despair. It’s also possible to build an inexpensive catamaran boat, as shown in this post from the coastal passage .

The Pros of Building a Catamaran

Though it will be a costly endeavor, there are so many things to look forward to should you decide to build your own catamaran:

• It can be lots of fun.
• You get to have a new boat.
• It’s an excellent hobby for DIY enthusiasts.
• The effort is rewarding.
• It offers a great learning experience.
• You get the exact kind of boat you want.
• You can alter building plans and tailor the boat to suit your specific needs.
• It might be cheaper than buying a new boat.

The Cons of Building a Catamaran

Though there are a number of positive aspects to a DIY build, it is just as important to keep in mind that it won’t always be easy:

• Maintenance costs can be quite high.
• It’s both mentally and physically exhausting.
• It might require some technical know-how.
• It can take many months or even years to complete.
• It requires a lot of commitment to finish the DIY project.
• It might be challenging as well as expensive to get insurance.  
• You will spend almost all your free time building the boat. 

DIY Cruising Catamaran Tips and Tricks

If you are new to boat building, it would be a good idea to build a small boat first. This would give you a good indication as to whether you’d enjoy tackling a more extensive project like building a catamaran. Again, if you are the handy type, fixing your own electronics could also save you a significant amount of money. 

Here are more tips and tricks to get the most out of your DIY cruising catamaran:

• Lower your costs. Bring down your costs even further by sourcing for parts and supplies at marine surplus outlets, Craigslist, eBay, or wholesale suppliers. 
• Enhance your resale value. Most home-built boats are not easy to sell since they tend to be too customized. To enhance your resale value, it’s advisable to work with a standard design from a well-established naval architect.
• Follow the design instructions. Make sure to follow the designer’s instructions regarding the type of materials and tools to use during the build to avoid making costly mistakes.
• Maintain your original budget. Avoid any additional customizations once you have started building the boat. Using good plans and sticking to them ensures that your budget doesn’t spiral out of control.

Final Thoughts

Building a catamaran is about more than saving money. It’s fun, exciting, fulfilling, and can be a great learning experience. While it might take many months of back-breaking work, comparative shopping and sourcing for materials will help you save a lot of money. Still, at the end of it all, you’ll have a beautiful catamaran boat, all ready for your first cruising adventure.

However, if you have neither the time nor the energy to build your own catamaran from scratch, refurbishing an existing hull might prove faster and easier. It also works out much cheaper than buying a new boat.

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

One thought on “ DIY Cruising Catamaran: Complete Building Guide ”

Hello, I am a French Quebecer who is original, imaginative, creative and who finds that all boats and catamarans have a huge flaw and a very big lack of logic. I would have a brand new concept…. I am sending this message to any catamaran creator – designer to make those who have the opportunity and the intelligence to want to know about my innovative idea which will finally upset the market much richer. An idea that will totally change the concept of sailing, navigation and save so much worry!! All I would ask for is a small percentage of each sale of the new product. To be able to make me produce one when I have enough!! It is certain that like that, you just want to tell me: come on Mr. Lessard give us your idea but do not take your word to help me in return! But, if you are the kind of man to have only one word and maybe have a proof of your good faith if the realization of the project would make it… I will be very happy!! Giving it to everyone wouldn’t bother me either…. all I would like is to be able to find flax fiber (too expensive carbon) to be able to try to make my catamaran myself. Because not rich! Have a nice day and looking forward to having a message!!

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Woods Designs specialise in the design of sailing catamarans for both home and professional builders. However we also have a small range of dinghies, trimarans and power catamarans. Scroll down to see the full list, divided into lengths and boat types. Read More...

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This range of rowing and sailing dinghies and off the beach catamarans complement the larger catamarans designed by Woods Designs

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The range of designs comprise a wide variety of open deck and bridgedeck boats. These boats have added load carrying and increased seakindliness compared to smaller designs so are more suited for offshore sailing.

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In September 2010 we were very pleased to announce the launch of our first powercat design, the trailable Skoota 20. It was a very successful boat which we cruised for two seasons in British Columbia. Seven more powercat designs are now available. In addition to the Skoota 20 there is a centre cockpit, trailable Skoota 24. Next, the Skoota 28 is a transportable coastal cruiser, and was the Woods Designs floating office/cruising home for 7 happy and successful years.

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See this article for the reasons why we chose a Skoota 28 as our newest cruising boat

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MIKE WALLER 

Yacht design, multihull boat plans by mike waller yacht designer.

TC670 TRAILER CAT This is an all plywood, trailerable, of the beach sailing cat designed for sheltered and semi-sheltered waters. The cabin has a double berth, a galley, small table area and W.C.

TC750 CATAMARAN This all plywood cat is a larger and more able development of the 670, and being wider, is capable of more extensive adventuring.

W880 CATAMARAN This true ocean going little cat sleeps 4 and is built in strip plank cedar and glass composite, and plywood. Sleeps 4, and has a seperate WC / shower area.

W1100 CATAMARAN This Ocean cruising vessel is in all plywood, and is capable of extensive ocean voyaging. Sleeps 5 in three seperate cabins, with seperate W.C / shower area.

W1160 CATAMARAN This ocean crusing family cat is built from strip plank cedar and glass composite. She sleeps 5 in 3 cabins and has a seperate WC / shower area.

W1200 CATAMARAN This ocean cruising family cat is a plywood version of the 1160, with rounded, strip planked hull bottoms and the rest of the boat in plywood. The transom is slightly extended to provide a wider boarding step.

W1350 CATAMARAN This is a family cruiser in cedar/foam/glass composite, intended for world cruising for a couple or small family

W1480 CATAMARAN This is a true, proven, live aboard world cruiser for a family of up to 6 in four cabins. The vessel is strongly constructed in strip plank cedar and glass composite, and plywood. She will take you anywhere.

CS25 CATAMARAN This little demountable cat has two seperate hulls, each with two berths. She is all plywood.

CS35 CATAMARAN This cat has two seperate hulls with V shaped truncated sections, each has a double berth. She is all plywood and has a center cockpit which can be built in to form a shelter cuddy.

CC31 CATAMARAN This full bridge deck cat is in multi-chine plywood, and has two huge double berths, a dinette and seperate WC / shower area

CC40 CATAMARAN This ocean voyaging cat is in multi-chine plywood, and has two seperate hulls, a center cockpit with cuddy, and unbelievable accomodation for a vessel of this type and size

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• Coral Sea 25

Coral Sea 25 by Mike Waller Yacht Design

25 ft plywood 'v' hull low cost cruising catamaran.

URL: http://wallerdesign.com.au/cs25.html

Description:

The CORAL SEA 25 CATAMARAN is designed specifically for the builder who wants the maximum boat for minimum cost and building time. To this end the vessel features seperate hulls connected by strongly mounted cross beams.

The vessel is demountable for trailing and employs a simple, easily built, trunkated 'V' hull shape. The trunkated 'V', is as simple to build as the straight 'V', but has better sailing characteristics, such as less wetted surface, better tacking etc. This yacht is definitely a case of the most boat for the least work and cost.

The Coral Sea 25 is designed for safe, comfortable family sailing, with bunks for 4 in 2 seperate hulls. It also has a room for a portable toilet, small cabin lockers, and a huge cockpit for socializing. There is good sitting headroom in the hulls.

For simplicity and ease of construction the hulls consist of a plywood shell wrapped around a framework of plywood bulkheads and timber stringers. This is still the easiest way to construct a timber boat, and when combined with timber / epoxy construction, is a very cost effective way to build a sound vessel.

The rig is a simple but efficient ¾ sloop, with a large sail area for light weather cruising, easily reefed in heavier winds. The rigidly mounted beams allow the vessel to carry an efficent rig which can stand up to the weather. The rigging is as simple as possible, and is based on the KISS principle. Two separate rigs are available, a standard rig for offshore and open water sailing, and a larger inshore rig. The choice is at the builders discretion.

Auxiliary power is from an outboard in a separate pod beneath the cockpit footwell. The vessel features small skeg keels for cruising simplicity, and efficient transom hung rudders for positive helm control. Steering as designed is by tiller. The Coral Sea 25 is an easily constructed vessel capable of providing it's owners with years of comfortable and fun cruising, or even ocean voyages for the more skillful and adventurous sailors.

Catamarans about same size as Coral Sea 25

Questions? Suggestions? Contact us at: [email protected]

12 Scarab 350; Ray Kendrick; Small Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab

12 Solo 12; Chris Ostlind; Personal Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

14 Docat; Paul Fisher; Dory Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Drifter; Mark Gumprecht; Outrigger/Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Duo 425; Bernd Kohler; Fast Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 14 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply/GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes 14 Hitia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 14? Hobby Cat; at The Beachcats.com; Beach Cat; Ply Plans (Free) ; at The Beachcats.com 14 Pixie; Woods Designs; Entry level fun cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Quattro 14; Woods Design; Twin trapeze racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Solo 14; Chris Ostlind; Personal Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

  15 SC435; Bernd Kohler; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs

16 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Two Man Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 16 Blue Joseph; John McCallum; Proa; Ply Plans ; Applegate Boatworks 16 Drifter; Mark Gumprecht; Outrigger/Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Duo 480; Bernd Kohler; Cat; Ply Plans ; Ikarus 16 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes 16 Hot Chili; Jeff Gilbert; Asymmetric Cat; ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Jarcat5; Ross Turner; Trailer Sailer; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner 16 La Chatte; Glen-L; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; Glen-L 16 Little Tri; Bernd Kohler; Small Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Melanesia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 16 Quattro 16; Woods Designs; Twin trapeze racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Scarab 16; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 16 Simple Surf; Paul Fisher; Day Sailer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Slider Cat; Ray Aldridge; Sit in Hull Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Slingshot 16; Smoot/Walters; Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Trilars; Jim Michalak; Outrigger Canoe; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

17 Hitia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 17 Rebel Cat; PVC Cat; PVC Plans ; Duckworks 17 W17; Mike Waters; Folding Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Small Trimaran Designs

18 A18-T; Chris Ostlind; Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Eco Cruiser; Bernd Kohler; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 18 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes   18 Hawk; Paul Fisher; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   18 Rapier; Malcolm Tennant; Racer; Ply Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   18 Rodcat; Paul Fisher; Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Scarab 18; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 18 Strike; Woods Design; Trimaran; Plywood Plans ; Duckworks 18 Tricky Five, BCA Demco; Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

19 Cat19; Selway/Fisher; Demountable Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Double Shuffle 5.6; Ray Kendrick; Cat; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 19 Trikala; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Tri; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes

20 Discovery; Chris White; Pocket Cruising Tri; Wood/Epoxy/Ply Plans ; Chris White 20 Eco 6; Bernd Kohler; Crusing Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 20 Gizmo; Michalak; Proa; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 20 Threefold 6; Dudley Dix; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   20 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Two Person Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 20 Turbo 6; Malcolm Tennant; Fast Camp Cruiser; Wood Epoxy Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 20 Worrell 1 Mk2; Graham Byrnes; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; B&B Yacht Design

21 A64; Chris Ostlind; Proa; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 21 Crabclaw Cat; Shell Boats; Crabclaw Rigged; Ply Plans ; Shell Boats 21 Tahiti Wayfarer; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 21 Tiki; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 21 Tiny Dancer; Ted Warren; Personal Proa; NA Plans/Kit ; Warren Multihulls 21 Tridarka Raider; Jeff Lehman; Sailing Tri; Ply Plans ; Platypus Boats 21 Warren 21 Proa; Ted Warren; Proa; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

22 DUO 660; Bernd Kohler; Fast Trailer catamaran; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 22 Janus; Woods Designs; Micro Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   22 KD 650; Bernd Kohler; Coastal Trailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 22 Scarab 650; Ray Kendrick; Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 22 Scarab 670; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 22 Scarab 22; Ray Kendrick; Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   22 Wizard; Woods Designs; Folding Micro; Cedar Strip or GRP Plans ; Woods Designs   22 Wizzer; Woods Design; Racing Micro; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

23 Chevron; Malcolm Tennant; Trailer Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   23 Hinemoa; James Wharram; Dayboat/Overnight Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 23 Konktiki 23; Catamaran Designs; Sailing Cat; Ply Plans ; Catamaran Design   23 Streaker; Malcolm Tennant; Performance Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   23 Trailerable Tri; Kurt Hughes; Pocket Cruiser; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes   23 Warren 23; Ted Warren; Fast Tri Daysailer; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

24 Coral Coast 24; Ross Turner; Coastal Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner   24 DK24; Dennis Davis; Solo Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Dennis Davis Designs 24 Strider; Woods Design; Classic; Cold Mold, Strip, GRP Plans ; Duckworks   24 Shadow; Woods Design; Cruiser; Cold Mold, Strip, GRP Plans ; Duckworks

25 Cat 25; Paul Fisher; Class Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 25 Eco 7.5; Bernd Kohler; Economy Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 25 Gwahir; Woods Design; Micro Racer; Cold Molded or Strip Cedar Plans ; Woods Design 25 Trillo, BCA Demco; Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

26 Coaster; Malcolm Tennant; Coastal Cruiser; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   26 Merlin; Woods Design; Micro Racer; Strip Cedar Plans ; Woods Design   26 Pahi; James Wharram; Wingsail Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   26 Proa; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   26 Scarab 8.0; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   26 Spyder MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Class Racer; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 26 Tiki; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 26 Trailerable Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes

27 Cat 254; Paul Fisher; Class Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   27 Demountable Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes   27 DUO 800; Bernd Kohler; Fast Coastal Trailer Sailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 27 F-25C; Ian Farrier; Fast Trailerable Trimaran; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 F-82; Ian Farrier; Fast Cruising Trimaran; Strip Plank, or Foam Core Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 F-82R; Ian Farrier; Fast Cruising Trimaran;  Foam Core Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 KD800; Bernd Kohler; Folding Cat; Ply/Strip Plans ; K - Designs 27 Warren 27; Ted Warren; Fast Tri Daysailer; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

28 Great Barrier Express; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Deck Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   28 Gypsy 28; Woods Design; Ocean Cruiser; Ply, GRP Panel Plans ; Woods Design   28 Lively; Hartley & Brooks; Family Cruiling Tri; Ply Plans ; Hartley & Brooks   28 Stinger MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Formula 28 Racer; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   28 Surfsong; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   28 Sylph; Malcolm Tennant; Folding Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

29 Coral Coast 29; Ross Turner; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner 29 KD 860; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designss 29 Tanenui; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply/Foam Plans ; James Wharram Designs

30 Avalon 9.0; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   30 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 30 Demountable 30; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 Demountable Cat; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 DUO 900; Bernd Kohler; Cruiser/Racer Trailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 30 Sagitta 30; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Strip Plank or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   30 Shilo; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   30 Skua; Woods Design; Trailerable Racer; Cedar Strip or Cold Molded Plans ; Woods Design   30 Tiki; James Wharram; Trailerable Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   30 Tomcat; Kurt Hughes; High Performance; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 Turissimo 9; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

31 F9-A; Ian Farrier; Trailerable Cruiser; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   31 D-30; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 D-30 Aft Cabin; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 DF-31; Kurt Hughes; Aft Cabin Trailer Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 Firebird; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   31 Javelin; Woods Design; Minimum Offshore Racer; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   31 Pahi; James Wharram; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   31 Scorpio; Woods Design; Minimun Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   31' Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Sliding Arm Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 Tiki; James Wharram; Workboat Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   31 Windsong; Woods Design; Minimun Offshore Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

32 Chrome 96; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   32 D-32; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   32 P95; Bernd Kohler; Fast Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 32 Red Shift; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

33 Portage 10; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 33 Trimaran 10; Angelo Lavranos; Fast Cruiser; Composite Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design   33 Turissimo 10 MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Performance Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 33 Vermillion; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Racing/Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

34 Flica 34; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   34 Hammerhead; Chris White; Cruising Tri; Plans ; Chris White Designs   34 Lively; Hartley & Brooks; Ocean Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Hartley & Brooks

35 Crazy Horse; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 35 Cruising Tri; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 35 Proteus 10.6; Angelo Lavranos; Cruising Cat; Ply CNC Kit Set Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design   35 Warren 35; Ted Warren; Trailerable Fast Cruising Tri; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

36 Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 36 Demoiselle; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   36 Mira; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar, Ply, or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 36 Northern; Malcolm Tennant;  Open Wing Cruising Cat; Composite Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 36 Nui Guinea MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 36 Raka; James Wharram; Cruising/Racing Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 36 Scylla; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 36 Seagull; Bernd Kohler; Long Distance Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 36 Tangaroa MKIV; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 36 Vorpal Blade MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/ Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

37 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridge Deck Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 37 F-36; Ian Farrier; Blue Water Cruising Trimaran; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   37 Northern - 11; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

38 Backpack 38; Dudley Dix; Tropical Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Dix Design   38 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Fast Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Demountable Tri; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply & Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Pelican; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 38 Rigger; Malcolm Tennant; Serious Cruising Cat; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   38 Sienna ; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   38 Tiki; James Wharram; Traditional Wharram Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   38 Tri; Kurt Hughes; Flared Main Hull Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes

39 Altair; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Cat 39; Bruce Roberts; Cruiser; GRP Plans ; Bruce Roberts Designs   39 Jayar; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Rigger; Malcolm Tennant; Serious Cruiser; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Targa; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Thresher; Malcolm Tennant; Coastal Racer/Cruiser; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Valencia ; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

40 Alfresco 40; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   40 Bridgedeck Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   40 Cat 40; Paul Fisher; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   40 Child of the sea; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   40 Double Eagle; Phil Bolger; Charter Cat; Ply Project ; Fritz Koschmann   40 Formula 40; Kurt Hughes; Racing Tri; Ply or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 40 Narai I, II; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 40 Pacific 40; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   40 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Flared Main Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 40 Wild Thing; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

41 Meander; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Cold Molded, Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 41 Narai III; James Wharram; Cruising; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 41 Nimbus; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; GRP Plans ; Woods Design   41 Rhea; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

42 F-41; Ian Farrier; Ocean Cruising Cat; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine 42 Manta; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs   42 Pahi; James Wharram; Deck Pod Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs  

43 Blade Runner; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 43 Dix 430; D Dix; Cruising Catamaran; GRP or Wood/epoxy Plans ; Dix   43 Indigo 43; Malcolm Tennant; Charter Cat; Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   43 Te Henga MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

44 Explorer; Chris White; Cruising Tri; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs

45' Bridgedeck Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 45 Fast Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Fast Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 45 Tiros; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

46 Aluminium 13.8; Angelo Lavranos; Cruising Cat; Alum Kit Set Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design 46 Araki; James Wharram; Cruising/Racing; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 46 Big Wednesday; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Catamaran Motorsailer; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 46 Dorsai; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 46 Ondina; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Woods Design   46 Sundiver; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Tasman; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Tiki; James Wharram; Blue Water Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   46 Timeliner 46; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Wood Epoxy Plans ; Malcolm Tennant  

47 Cirrus; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Cold Molded or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

48 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite or Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 48 Voyager; Chris White; Cruising Cat; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs

49 Challenger; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   49 Ghanian; Malcolm Tennant; Fast Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   49 Marshan; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

50 Hi-Octane; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   50 Tektron 50; John Shuttleworth; High Performance Racer/Cruiser; Composite Plans ; John Shuttleworth Yacht Design

51 Tehini; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs

52 Tektron Aerorig Cruising Cat; John Shuttleworth; Cruiseing Cat; Composite Plans ; John Shuttleworth Yacht Design 52 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes

53 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridgedeck; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 53 Sounder MS; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   53 Thai; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

54 Hammerhead; Chris White; Cruising Tri; Plans ; Chris White Designs   54 Juniper II; Chris White; Cat-Ketch Tri; Wood Plans ; Chris White Designs

56 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridgedeck; Plywood Plans ; Kurt Hughes 56 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Racer; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes

58 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes

60 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Charter Cat; Composite or CM Plans ; Kurt Hughes 60 Cordova; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   60 Disco Volante; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Proa; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

63 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 63 Concept 63; Chris White; Cruising Cat; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs   63 Pahi; James Wharram; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   63 Revolution; Malcolm Tennant; Wind Turbine Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 63 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Racer; Foam Glass Plans ; Kurt Hughes

65 Cat 65; Bruce Roberts; Charter; GRP Plans ; Bruce Roberts   65 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; CM or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes

72 Carillion; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

82 Cyan; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruiser; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennan  

Tokyo Express

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Catamaran & Small Boat Building

to my website. Here you’ll find photos, stories and information on building boats large and small, with tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way. I built this website originally to accompany my YouTube channel . The blog section has information on various topics.

A 12m cruiser/racer catamaran – 2 yrs & 9 mths to build – launched 15th August 1997. Details of the build.

Small boats

Small boats you can build in your garage.  A good family project and a way to get a taste of boat building. See how they were built.

Plans to build your own boat. Packed with information for the first time builder. Start building your boat now.

Where to start

Building your own boat and sailing off over the horizon, is a dream that lives inside many. Well at least that’s the impression I get from the many people I met while building Tokyo Express (TE) and the feedback now f rom the videos on YouTube.  After years of dreaming, at 39 years of age I finally turned that dream into reality with the launching of Tokyo Express. This website is about my journey.

You don’t need expensive kits

or exotic materials to build a boat. You don’t need expensive tools or a degree in engineering either. I fabricated most of the parts and systems on Tokyo Express (TE) from scratch. Steering system, steering wheel, doors, hatches, fore beam, catwalk, daggerboard, rudders, engine mounting, generator, electrical system and plumbing.

Even the mast I bought as a kit. I had more time than money so I built everything I could. There were no exotic materials used and yet I ended up with a robust, lightweight and extremely competitive boat that was lighter than a typical production boat.

If I hadn’t been designing and redesigning many parts of the boat, learning for the first time how to do things and building a shed, the boat would have been finished a lot quicker.

On the Tokyo Express page

page you will find an overview of the steps I took building TE. If you are thinking of starting a similar project, this is a good place to start. It was a lot of work, but it was also the most rewarding project I have undertaken. It was well worth the sweat and tears. Please look around. Email me if you have questions…

Recent Posts

• Catamaran vs Monohull

by Tim Weston | Mar 11, 2019 | Building , Cruising

Catamaran vs Monohull If you are thinking of building or buying a yacht, you have a significant choice to make, before you even start looking at individual boats. Do you want one hull or two? Deciding between a catamaran and a monohull is a big decision and one worth...

• Going fast – in small boats – hull speed.

by Tim Weston | Sep 30, 2018 | Building , Plans

Going fast - in small boats (with a small motor) This article looks at how to go fast, in a boat with a small motor. Plodding along at snail’s pace can get a little boring. No matter how relaxed I am and how much time I have nothing puts a smile on my face quicker...

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Messing about in boats since 1975.  Online Since 1997.

Home   |  Intro   |  Our Design Process   |  Stock Design Info   |  Motor Yacht Designs   |  Sailing Yacht Designs   |  Prototype Designs Plans List   |  Articles   |  Our CAD Design Stream   |  Maxsurf   |  News..!   |  SITE MAP..!   |  Site Search   | Design Team   |  Contact Us Please see the  AVAILABLE BOAT PLANS web page

Power and Sailing Yacht Plans List Copyright 2023 Michael Kasten Updated April  2023 This page provides a list of our currently available boat plans, a link to the web page for each design, and a price for each design.  What Do Plans Cost..? Below is a list of prices for each plans package that we offer. The first group lists our Sailing Yacht Designs and the second group lists our Power Yacht Designs .  Some designs are COMPLETED and others are INCOMPLETE.      COMPLETED STOCK DESIGNS :  The Estimating Plans and Building Plans prices given below in BOLD BLACK TYPE are for a FULLY COMPLETED STOCK DESIGN , the plans for which can be shipped immediately on receipt of your order.   Please see our Stock Design web page for a description of what is included, and how our prices have been determined.    INCOMPLETE OR 'SEMI-STOCK' DESIGNS :   Prices given below in PLAIN TEXT indicate plans that are INCOMPLETE.  WHY , you may ask, have I even bothered to list INCOMPLETE designs below...? Since people's circumstances often change, it is inevitable that some boat design projects will be abandoned before they are finished, and in some cases after considerable work has been done.  This can occur as is so well described in the first few pages of Rockwell Kent’s excellent non-fiction sea story, “North by East” , or as the result of a change of fortune, failing health, or for a myriad of other reasons. A few of the INCOMPLETE designs listed below (not very many) have been developed on my own, in other words, with myself as the 'client'.  Others have been created at the behest of an individual client to explore an idea or a concept.  Either way, I believe all of the designs listed below have merit.  We offer these INCOMPLETE designs at a substantial discount versus what it would cost to develop an entirely CUSTOM design, the difference being that the 'discovery' phase of the design process has already been accomplished.  Even so, there is still quite a bit of WORK REMAINING in order to complete the Plans Packages for those INCOMPLETE designs.  The prices given below reflect our actual cost to complete the Estimating Plans or the Building Plans Package for each design, assuming there will be no changes to the design as it is presented.  If you take umbrage with the cost of our INCOMPLETE designs, I urge you to read our Learning Yacht Design web page.  If one of the designs below is "close" to what you have in mind but you would like to tweak it some, I will be pleased to provide a detailed estimate for any revisions you have in mind.  If any of these designs is of interest, please inquire .    CUSTOM YACHT DESIGN :  A new CUSTOM design will necessarily include the process of " discovery " which represents Stage I of the design process, during which all options are on the table including size, type, configuration, layout, rig, materials, etc.  By comparison, given that many of the INCOMPLETE designs listed below have already had a considerable amount of design work done, very roughly the cost to create a CUSTOM design can be on the order of some 20% to 50% greater than the prices listed for the INCOMPLETE designs below, in order to accommodate the "discovery" process on the way to achieving a completed set of Building Plans.  Is the added cost worth it...?   Yes , we believe so. Please see our article on Custom Yacht Design for our best answer to that question, where you will also find an overview of the design process itself.  Our Design Stream article additionally describes how we use CAD to best advantage throughout the design process. If a new Custom Yacht Design is of interest, please inquire for more information.    COMPLETED NC CUTTING FILES :  There are several designs below for which NC Cutting files are ALREADY DEVELOPED , in which case the price is in BOLD BLACK TYPE .    DEVELOPING NEW NC CUTTING FILES :  All other NC Cutting File prices are listed in PLAIN TEXT, and reflect our actual cost to develop NC Cutting Files for that design from scratch, in which case they can be developed for metric or imperial dimensioned materials as needed. Please see our CAD Design Stream article for more information about our NC development process.    ORDERING INFORMATION : All prices are given in US Dollars and are subject to change at any time.  To place an order, please see our contact information below. To order by fax or by mail, a PDF Order Form has been provided for your convenience.    What's Included...? Estimating Plans - Building Plans - NC Cut Files... ESTIMATING PLANS :  Since all the basic information about each of our designs is available here at our web site, and for free, we no longer offer basic Study Plans.   Instead, we offer a much more useful and complete Estimating Plans for each of the designs listed below. Our Estimating Plans include the following: Drawings:    Sail Plan / Exterior Profile Drawing Interior Profile & Arrangement Drawing (one to four sheets, depending on vessel size) Structure Drawings (one or two additional sheets, depending on vessel size)    Documents:    Drawings & Documents List Written Vessel Specification Detailed Equipment List Structural Scantling List Laminate Schedule (if needed) Structure Weight & Surface Areas Builder Short List appropriate to the specific design Cover Letters to Builders re: scope of project, etc.    Our Estimating Plans are useful for study, planning, commentary, or mark-ups in the event you want to consider variations on the layout or the rig.  Primarily though, the Estimating Plans are intended for Cost Estimating .   Considering the price lists given below, the Estimating Plans represent an outstanding bargain and include quite a lot of useful information. Our Designer's Cover Letter serves as an introduction to the builder and outlines the scope of our involvement.  Our Owner's Cover Letter is a template which you can modify as needed in order to provide an introduction to the builder; to outline your intended build timing; and to let them know what stage of completion you intend their quotation to cover. NOTE :  Estimating Plans do not contain sufficient detail for actual construction of the vessel.  However the Estimating Plans do provide enough information so that builders can provide a firm quotation for construction, and to allow a preliminary construction contract to be negotiated.    BUILDING PLANS : Prior to your construction contract being finalized, and in order to actually build the boat, the complete Building Plans will be required.  Our Building Plans include all the contents of our Estimating Plans as listed above, plus all the remaining detail drawings required for construction, including the following: Drawings:    Lines Drawing Offsets (if not CNC cut) Structural Sections Joinery Sections Joinery Details Construction Details (Several Sheets Including Hull & Deck Fittings; Ports; Doors; etc.) Spar Plans (Sail: Several Sheets Including Spar Dimensions; Spar Fitting Details; etc.) Machinery Plans (Power:  Several Sheets as Needed) Numerous Detail Drawings as Needed       Vessel Design Data, including:    Hydrostatics & Trim Stability Compliance Report Performance Analysis Hull Data for Propeller Calcs Endurance & Range Under Power    Building Plans also include a thorough review of and revision of the Equipment List and Vessel Specification in order to suit your specific equipment preferences. If the drawings or documents require further revision for your use, for example to make changes to the layout or the rig, we'll be pleased to provide an estimate for making those revisions. Please see our Stock Plans page for more information about what's included, and how we can customize a stock design to suit your requests.    CUSTOM DESIGN : We can modify any of our Stock Designs to suit a newly defined purpose, or we can work with you to create an entirely new design based on your requests. Please feel free to inquire about any modifications you may have in mind, or about creating a new Custom Design to suit your specific requirements.  In way of inspiration we have provided quite a variety of Prototype Designs , any one of which can be modified as needed to create a fully completed yacht design.    NC CUTTING FILES : Several of the Stock Designs listed below for construction in metal have already been developed for automated NC cutting of the metal parts. "NC" simply means 'Numerically Controlled' - a technology for creating pre-cut boat parts directly from the 3D design model. For details regarding the benefits of NC Cutting and to find out what's included with an NC Cutting File Package , check out our article on Our CAD Design Stream and the articles linked from there.    MORE INFO :  Please see our Site Map to quickly find any of our designs, to peruse our portfolio, and to find our articles on a variety of boat related topics.  

What Will the Boat Cost..?

This is the most difficult question of all, and one for which I do not have a ready answer.  However it is a question that ultimately does have an answer...!   For any meaningful cost discovery it is necessary to solicit actual quotations for construction from a short list of qualified builders. 

For that purpose, we offer completed ESTIMATING PLANS for several of the designs listed below, with their prices listed in BOLD BLACK TEXT .  For any designs listed below that are INCOMPLETE, we have also provided the cost to develop ESTIMATING PLANS for that design, the prices for which are given in PLAIN TEXT.

Please see the following articles for information about boat costs, and about the process of soliciting estimates from builders:

The Cost Question | Affordable Boatbuilding | Estimating Boatbuilding Costs | What Will the Design Cost..?   

SAILING YACHT PLANS  

IMPORTANT - Please see the Introduction above which describes the difference between  the prices given in BOLD BLACK TEXT vs the prices given in PLAIN TEXT below.

Please also see the AVAILABLE DISCOUNT information below.  

*  See notes below about Aluminum vessels. ** See notes below about Wooden Vessels. *** See notes below about NC Cutting Files .  

MOTOR YACHT PLANS

* See notes below about Aluminum vessels. ** See notes below about Wooden Vessels. *** See notes below about NC Cutting Files .  

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS  

• The cost of Building Plans given above includes the cost of the Estimating Plans for that design..   
• If you order STOCK Building Plans within 90 days after purchasing STOCK Estimating Plans (for the same design), we will deduct half of what you paid for the STOCK Estimating Plans (less shipping) from your order.   
• The cost given above to complete the Building Plans for an as-yet INCOMPLETE design includes the cost to develop Estimating Plans for that design.  
• If you first arrange for completion of as-yet INCOMPLETE Estimating Plans, the subsequent cost to develop Building Plans for that design will be reduced by the full cost of having developed the Estimating Plans for that design.  In other words, the INCOMPLETE Building Plans prices given above already include the cost to develop the Estimating Plans.  
• For ALL orders, if an already completed set of STOCK NC Cutting Files are ordered along with an already completed set of STOCK Building Plans for that vessel ( both paid for in full at the same time ) we will provide a discount of 10% off your entire order.  And... this discount may be applied in addition to either of the above discount options..! Note however that this does not apply to any of our designs for which the NC Cutting Files or the Design itself remain INCOMPLETE.  

For additional clarification of the above discounts, please inquire .  

IMPORTANT DESIGN NOTES

GRP or PLYWOOD : Any of our Aluminum or Steel designs can be converted for construction in GRP or cold moulded plywood. The cost of any such revisions will be quoted separately. For more information, please inquire .

STEEL : Any Steel vessel can easily be re-specified with an aluminum structure. To convert a stock steel design to aluminum, please add 20% to the cost of the Estimating Plans or the Building Plans for that design.  Conversion of NC Cutting Files from steel to aluminum will however require a completely new set of NC cutting files, for which please inquire for an estimate.

* ALUMINUM : The Aluminum vessels listed above can only be built in steel if the design is extensively modified for that purpose in order to accommodate the added weight of the structure. For more information, please inquire .  Conversion from aluminum to steel will also require a completely new set of NC cutting files, for which please inquire for an estimate.

** WOOD : Please note that our large Wooden Vessel plans are generally priced higher, since revisions will nearly always be required in order to accommodate the differing wood species that will be available for construction, and the consequent differences in scantlings and overall weight. Those revisions (within reason) are included in the prices indicated above.

*** NC CUTTING FILES : Although a complete Building Plans set is required in order build any of these boat designs, the NC Cutting Files are entirely optional . In other words, the Building Plans are required , even if you purchase the NC Cutting Files for that design. The cost of NC Cutting Files is in addition to the cost of the Building Plans. Please see above for discount options that are available...

The NC Cutting Files shown above with prices given in BOLD BLACK TYPE have already been developed , in which case they will have been created for either metric or imperial dimensioned materials, and for either steel or aluminum (noted in parentheses).

If the vessel will be built in a location that requires changing the measurement system , and / or if there is a change from steel to aluminum or aluminum to stee l structure, then additional work will be required, the cost of which will be quoted separately and in addition to the above prices. Should such changes to any of our designs be of interest, please inquire for an estimate.   

YACHT TENDERS

Our aluminum yacht tenders are the perfect companion to any of the yachts described above.

8' to 14' Prams - Building Plans: $250 . NC Cutting Files: $250 . (The Building Plans are required. The NC Cutting File is optional. The cost of the NC Cutting file includes interacting with the cutter of your choice to assure compliance with their cutting equipment.)  

PROTOTYPE YACHT PLANS

If you don't see a design here that suits your requirements, please see our Prototypes web page for links to other designs that are either under development, or that may offer a few possible ideas in way of inspiration...

Preliminary study sketches may be available for some of our Prototype Designs. If you would like to know more about one of them, please inquire .  

NACA Foil Shaped Low Drag Aluminum Paravanes

Please see our Roll Attenuation article for more information on Paravanes for Motor Yachts.

These low-drag paravanes are balanced and are adjustable for different speeds. They make use of NACA foil shaped surfaces combined with a lead ballasted NACA foil shaped bulb. They are designed to be machined out of marine grade aluminum plate and rod so that they can be shaped, and so they are lighter for a given wing area than steel paravanes would be.

The sizes given above are conservatively rated. In other words each size can be used on a larger vessel than is indicated. It is all a matter of degree. The roll attenuation will simply be more or it will be less, as compared to that of a larger or smaller wing area.

Paravane effectiveness is a function of wing area and pole length vs. your vessel’s righting moment. With a larger the vessel the poles can be made longer, achieving greater leverage, therefore a greater effect for the same size paravane.  If you have an existing vessel on which you would like to install these paravanes, but you don't have a paravane rig, we can provide a design for the rig that will fit your boat.

For more information, please inquire .   

ORDERING PLANS...

Addresses in north america.

PAYMENT OPTIONS : If you would like to make a purchase from the above plans lists, please use our PDF Order Form or please feel free to contact me for additional information. Our payment options are as follows:

• Bank Check : For orders within the US up to USD $500 your personal check will be suitable. For orders from Canada, a money order or a cashier's check drawn on a US bank in US funds will be equally suitable. For all personal check payments we will wait until your check has cleared prior to sending out your order (for domestically issued cashier's checks or money orders, clearance takes a minimum of 7 business days after it has been deposited ).
• Pay Pal:  For orders of up to USD $1,000 payment may be made via Pay Pal.  Please inquire for details.
• Credit Card : For orders of up to USD $1,000 payment may also be made by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Amex) by using our PDF Order Form . The amount billed to your credit card will be the cost in US dollars. The cost in foreign currency will depend on the exchange rate applicable at the time of the transaction. A transaction fee of 5% will be added to all credit or debit card orders.
• Wire Transfer : For ALL amounts above USD $ 1,000, a direct wire transfer is required (most secure, fastest and least costly). Please inquire by FAX or by email for our wire transfer details. See our FAX number below, or please use our PDF Order Form where our FAX number will also be found.

Please note that all prices given on this page are subject to change at any time at my discretion.  

SHIPPING OPTIONS : For standard first class mail sent to any address in the US or Canada, or for airmail sent to Mexico, please add USD $60 to cover mailing costs. For US Priority Mail to US Addresses, please add USD $75. For US Express Mail to US addresses or for US Global Priority Mail to Canada please add USD $95. For FedEx standard overnight delivery in the US and Canada, or FedEx International Economy to Mexico please add USD $175.   

FREE DELIVERY...! Delivery via email is easy, and is encouraged. It is by far the fastest and most economical way to receive your plans. If you elect this option, delivery is FREE . If you accept delivery by email, we will send you all drawings as PDF plots, and all documents as PDF's, ready for printing and / or plotting, which is easily accomplished at your nearest copy shop.  

Addresses Elsewhere Worldwide

PAYMENT OPTIONS : If you live outside North America, our payment options are as follows:

• Bank Check : For any amount up to USD $ 1,000, if you wish to pay by cashier's check or money order, it should be drawn on a US bank in US funds. It is most secure when sending funds to use a courier service such as DHL, FedEx, EMS, UPS that provide online tracking, rather than regular postal mail delivery service. If sending a cashier's check by courier, please inquire for our physical shipping address. For all payments made by check or money order we will wait until your check has cleared prior to sending out your order (for foreign issued cashier's checks or money orders, clearance takes a minimum of 10  business days after it is deposited ).
• Credit Card : For orders of up to USD $1,000, payment may also be made by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Amex) by using our PDF Order Form . The amount billed to your credit card will be the cost in US dollars, plus shipping. The cost in foreign currency will depend on the exchange rate applicable at the time of the transaction.  A transaction fee of 5% will be added to all credit or debit card orders.
• Wire Transfer : For ALL amounts above USD $1,000, a direct wire transfer is required (most secure, fastest and least costly). Please inquire by FAX or by email for our wire transfer details. See our FAX number below, or please use our PDF Order Form where our FAX number will also be found. 

SHIPPING OPTIONS: For addresses in Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, England, or any country that uses the Euro Currency, please add USD $150 for 3 to 6 day delivery via US Global Priority Mail . For faster delivery by courier (DHL, FedEx, EMS) or by US Global Express Mail please add USD $250 (usually takes 3-4 business days).

Please note that regular postal mail service s of any kind are not offered to destinations other than those listed above. In most other locations, regular postal mail has proven to be extremely unreliable.  For destinations not listed above, please add USD $350 for 3 to 4 day delivery by courier (DHL, FedEx, EMS). We will select the best delivery method depending on your location.    

FREE DELIVERY...! Delivery via email is easy, and is encouraged. It is by far the fastest and most economical way to receive your plans. If you elect this option, delivery is FREE. If you accept delivery by email, we will send you all drawings as PDF plots, and all documents as PDF's, ready for printing and / or plotting, which is easily accomplished at your nearest copy shop.  

KASTEN MARINE DESIGN, INC. Email us for our mailing address or to arrange a phone appointment.

PDF Order Form  

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