Fiberglass boat building

A

albinfinity

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Oct 7, 2014
4
Hunter 30 Bluffers
I am thinking taking on a project that it could be way to much to handle for me. So I thought this is the best place to start a conversation.
The first question would be did any of you build a Bruce Roberts 53 sailboat or does anyone has a rough idea how much it would cost to finish? Hull it is ready and is being given to me.

Second question would be is this a normal for a fiberglass hull? In the photos provided you could see through the light (Hull it is out on the sun) although it still needs the gell coat.
 

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Sailvayu

Sailvayu

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Jul 25, 2007
320
-Irwin -Citation 40 Wilmington, NC
My guess a 53' boat would cost around 150,000 to 250,000 to build even if you do most of the work. Yes you may be able to do it for less but not likely in the end.

Light will pass thru raw fiberglass so what you see in the pictures is normal
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
With no gelcoat on it would easily show sunlight through it. My worry would be if the condition of the glass is still good and how old is it and has it been exposed to sunlight for extended time. Chief
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,510
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
How did this hull get created without gelcoat, which I've understood is the first layer in the mold? I suppose there are different ways to build just about anything but this makes me wonder how it was done.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,554
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
shemandr said:
How did this hull get created without gelcoat, which I've understood is the first layer in the mold? I suppose there are different ways to build just about anything but this makes me wonder how it was done.
Click to expand
"one-offs" are usually not built in a female mold. But it is curious. Usually you plank it with plywood then glass over. Glen-L sells this stuff that is reinforced fiberglass that you lay down like planks of wood. Maybe that is what was used.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
I know a person that has one moored in Sapaolo sound down by Brunswick Ga....it took him close to 30 years to build how old are you now......
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Female molds usually have gel coat first, then glass. Male molds usually have gel applied but would not require a gel coat. Sounds like a male mold hull that should have had the gel coat applied when first done. Chief
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Okay, if you post your address, we'll all come up to help you with this- immediately after happy hour is over :eek:)
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
It cost me 40,000 to rebuild an Islander 30 from a bare hull. The cost for building a boat changes exponentially as to the size. I did all of the labor and have a shop full of tools. And I had the spars and sails.
 
KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
1500 - 2500 hours labor, and about $200K USD in materials and equipment. That assumes you have the place, the tools, and the know how. There is a vast difference in boat carpentry and the "other" kinds of carpentry.

Your pics don't show it, but you may well be missing some structure (engine pads/runners, strut tube, etc, etc) that would be critical to the boat. ie, raw glass, in and of itself, is not very strong. I would be careful moving or turning, until you get some sort of strength members in place, either externally or internally.

And if you are lucky you may have a $100K boat when you are finished. Then there will be the getting insurance issue, and if you are serious about taking this on, you might want to check with some insurance brokers, beforehand.
 
A

albinfinity

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Oct 7, 2014
4
Hunter 30 Bluffers
Thank you all.

First thank you all for the kind and honest replies. I was expecting around 100K to spend on the project and doing 90% of the job myself with the help of some friends. However I have read a lot of stories that say the same thing. Don't get a project boat if you like sailing. I love sailing so I should not get into this project boat.

I still get tempted to work on a boat...but definitely a much smaller one with less work to do.
 
kito

kito

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Sep 13, 2012
2,011
1979 Hunter Cherubini 30 Clemmons
Good choice to pass on that HUGE project. Whatever you estimated in dollars....double it at least. Whatever you estimated in time......quadrupal. I know I would be dead before I got even half way done with that project.
 
Apex

Apex

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Jun 19, 2013
1,212
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
I get that same temptation: tinkering purposes. I MAY start a dingy this winter....to scratch the itch so to say.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
If I were younger I would start another because I so much enjoyed doing the one.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Of the ten or so people that I personally know that started to built a large yacht handyman-style, all but one sold them before (or within 2 years of) completion due to old age.
 
kito

kito

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Sep 13, 2012
2,011
1979 Hunter Cherubini 30 Clemmons
I have been on my H30 renovation for almost a year now. One of the things I have learned is to not ever do this again...to this extent anyway. If I was 8" shorter or 20 years younger maybe. My arms look like I've been in a fight with a rabid badger from all the tight places I need to get in.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I had several advantages. I was only 50 when I started. I am a home improvement contractor with a one man shop. so I have an abundance of tools and skills. I am only 5' 6" tall and not overweight. My boat was right beside my house and shop for me to work conveniently. We sailed for 14 years. After my wife grew her third cancer she said enough of the sailing.
 
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