Building schedule/Before KSS

For this project to succeed, you have to go about it in some sort of order. You have to consider how things go together, what you have to do first and all along the way. There are things that have to be done first or other things will not fit. Also, there is an easy way to do it and a hard way. I much prefer the easy way but have been known to choose the hard way. I decided to build one hull first, all the way to waterproof so I could store it outside while I built the second hull. The shed might be wide enough to build one hull while storing the other inside but I will not know that until I get the first one built. The third large project will be the center deck area and the connecting beams, cockpit, hard dodger, and bimini and that will have to be built after the two hulls are finished. The final assembly will have to be done outside the shed as the shed is only 20 feet wide.

I decided to build the starboard hull first. The detail of the first schedule is build the bulkheads, then cut the bulkheads apart at the spray rail level. This will allow me to install the lower portion of the bulkheads on a strongback and build the hull upside down and be at a comfortable height. If I do not cut the bulkheads, the keel will be 9 feet in the air when I start to build the hull. Of course, once I turn the hull over to complete the upper hull sides, the cabin top will be 9 feet in the air but I will be able to work from inside the boat and that will give me lots of standing space.

While writing this section I thought of an alternative method of construction, cut the bulkheads off at the sheer line and that would give me a 60 inch height to the bottom of the boat when it was upside down. The keel would still be above that by about 1.5 feet. It might be easier to build the hull all the way to the sheer line while it was upside down. Thinking this through, I realize that if I put the stem and stern in while the hull is upside down, I could glass everything before I turn it over. The other way, I will have to put the stem and stern in after it is turned over and then finish the outside of the hull when it it upright. It would be much easier to finish the hull while it is upside down. See what I mean about thinking things through. I will build to the sheer line upside down and finish the outside of the hull before I turn her.

Next Step

After you have decided to build a boat and bought the plans, the next thing to do is find a place to build her. A boat that is 38 feet long and 23 feet wide needs a bit more then a garage or car port to build it in. Unless you live on an acreage and have a few outbuildings, you will most likely have to rent something. I was looking for space for a couple of years before a shed became available at Shelter Island Marina in Richmond British Columbia. Shelter Island is a commercial yard and things are expensive.

Shed cost 4500 dollars, used,  and I still have to pay 650 dollars a month in rent for the space the shed sits on.

One big advantage is all the trades people you might need are there, welders, riggers, fiberglass workers, etc., and there is a store for small purchases. You do not want to buy any production material at the store as it is also expensive. But you know, a few of extra dollars at the store might save you a couple of hours driving when you need just a bit of something.