Cheap as Chips and Staying FREE

The $21,000, 30 foot+ Catamaran!  
 Think it can't be done? Willing to put your money where your mouth is? Because I'll take that punt! The builder claims about 900 hours and he has done enough of them to know. His first one was in the seventies. The ply is covered in glass and vinylester underwater and topsides and most deck. Inside is done in Wattel Epoxy timber treatment. Just have a look at the photos and see what you think. There are no plans... he just draws em for himself on a beer carton. But don't take my word for it... read his notes below.
 Great News, Plans Now Available! After months of prodding and many email requests, Leon, the builder of the boat has agreed to copy plans from the original beer carton! Simple drawings with written overall instructions are done. These will be made available for a price commensurate with the philosophy of the boat, CHEAP! Leon warns that these plans will be intended for those with enough background to work independently after some guidance. Click on the photo below or here for more.

Pretty self explanatory but the four main panels are simply sheets of ply with the stringers and bulkhead positions glued and fixed in position (liquid nails and nail gun) then rot proofed and
flipped over and glassed and finished on the floor.

The main bulkheads are then fixed to one panel, stood up and the other panel is fixed to them. Pull the bow together and then the stern to the transom. Square up diagonally the main bulkheads and brace. Fit chine stringers and measure and fit remaining bulkheads(cut two at once of everything so both hulls are the same)Fit and cut bottom panel (two again)Now make and fit keels (you could fit daggerboards if you prefer but I believe the long flat surface of the chine gives lateral resistance) as it is easier without the chine panel. Now fit and cut chine panels (four this time) Glass and finish then flip. Fit pre-made crossbeams and do internal fitout then do cabin/decks/hatches etc.

Cockpit/saloon is all done on the floor and jacked and bolted in place and then saloon cabin is made and fitted. Sounds simple? Well it really is compared to strongbacks then stringers fitted over frames etc. This boat was designed around the rig that I had bought from a wrecked boat for $800 and was more an experiment than anything to prove to a couple of people that I probably am WACKED but not afraid to back my self.

I have to admit that the Waller concept had a lot of influence on the actual design but it was drawn up on the back
of a beer carton after a few stubbies(still got it somewhere) I think I have proven (at least to myself) that you don't have to spend your life savings and spend years to get out there and do it.

No she is not an ocean crosser, though I have seen worse do it, but as a coastal cruiser she is quick, easy to handle, comfortable and well I have come to really like the little bugger! (I think it could be love) Now having said that, it's hard to say that's it as there is always that next design eating away at what is left of the brain.

Boatbuilders never retire, they just sort of slowwwwwww down.

See Ya

Leon

 Splash!

 A sweet little coastal crusier in the water and on the cheap. Leon was building similar cats as above to lock-up and selling them for a $1,000 per foot. This one is for him. Well done I say!

And just one last picture. This one of the builder out enjoying his new boat. Leon has been building these boats for years in Townsville Queensland, and now he has decided to let the world know what have amounted to trade secrets that allowed him to build boats in his shed and sell them at lock-up for cheap, and still make a good living. A finished, ready to sail cat for about $700 per foot.. not bad... not bad at all.

 

Thanks Leon!!