cost of building a Tiki 38

[Jay J Hunt]

Thanks for the add to the group.  Can anyone give an approximate cost to building a Tiki 38?  Regarding the lashings, can the lashing be done by oneself, or is Professional help and machinery required?  Thanks, Jay.

[Brett Parker]

Can't give materials cost but yes you can do the lashing on your own. A block and tackle is a help plus I have stainless steel caps over the top of each beam with an oak wedge for further tightening. Good system.

[Budget Boater]

That is a relative question. Where are you located? Materials have different costs in different locations. Do you plan to build per plans or modify? Material costs fluctuate with changes. Best materials available or average materials? Are you talking about just the bare boat? No cushions, no electronics, no engines, minimal electrical, bucket for head, one part paint, etc., etc., etc. Or are you pulling out all of the stops? Do you already have a place to build the boat? Do you already have the tools necessary? There are just too many variables to give accurate costs without more information.

This is based on rough U.S. bargain hunting pricing: Just the plywood, soft wood lumber, fiberglass, and epoxy - all purchased in bulk - will set you back no less than $25-30k. Add hardwood lumber (there is a significant requirement for this not included in the materials list), fasteners, basic hand tools, and consumables will add another $10k minimum. Standing/running rigging and sails adds another $10k. Two Yamaha 9.9 saildrives with remote gear is another $6-7k. Paint? No less than $1k latex or oil paint, $2k for epoxy paint, or $3-5k for urethane paint (U.S.) Now add building (or rent), electricity, and other overhead for 3-7 years....

....and we have not added the electrical systems, plumbing systems, navigation, cushions, canvas, refrigeration, electronics, or any of the other things most modern ocean going vessels might have aboard.

Lashings can be done by hand, but some type of lever is better to get them nice and tight, then add wedges.

[Budget Boater]

I recently did the math on my sunk infrastructure costs: Buildings, storage, electricity, garbage, tools, etc. I was quite shocked that it came to just shy of $17,000, (I thought is was about $7k) and I have a large number of tools that we are using that are borrowed, which would easily add thousands more.

[Stewart Coates]

Hi Jay, you may have already seen my reply to your question on lashings on my Facebook page, but for anyone else interested in this, the link is here 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=410489306008828&set=a.3...

[Rod Jones]

This is not answering your question but adds some comparison. A sail away Tiki 38 built by Gunther Knutt of Seascape boats in Phuket will cost $ 140,000 and will take 12 months. He has a nice used Tiki 38 2008 model offered at $75,000 asking now.

In my last boat building project, I learned that my own patience level for a project is about 18 months. To keep the project moving forward, alumni from good boat building schools can be hired for $18-20 per hour. So let's say you hire out 3000 hours of the project and you put in the other 500-1000 hours yourself. That's about $60,000 in labor
+$ 75,000 to $ 80,000 in materials. 140k plus build location. Most people don't put a value on their own labor, and the risk to family and marriage stability as you commit 5 years of their life.

You really have to enjoy spending time in the shed to spend 4-5 years working away. I enjoy sailing more, so I like enough hired help to keep the project moving along without the dream getting stale and the project sour.