We are interested in building a larger Wharram and are currently in planning stages. One question we need to answer sooner is the size of building needed to construct a Pahi 63. Many people have access to extremely large factories but we do not and will be building a semi permanent structure using laminated arches. We are currently considering a 24x80x16' high building to house the hulls as well as the materials. Do people have any lessons learned that we could apply? One concern is the flipping of the hulls and the space required for that activity.
Patrick Gudat
That's interesting. I've been looking to do a self build. Are you suggesting you can get general labor in the Philippines for $4USD/hr? That's 5k hrs for 20k. A 3 month sabbatical and you'd have a boat!
I'm thinking more to build the boat ourselves over time however ya'll are presenting some interesting options.
Geminidawn said:
Jan 8, 2019
Geminidawn
Here's the guy that built one in Mexico: http://wharrambuilders.ning.com/profile/Tom
Jan 8, 2019
Geminidawn
Hi Patrick,
I just checked with the yard this morning and they confirmed the yard labour rate is $4USD per hour and that it would be built by the yard and by an appointed yard supervisor, however the owners can visit the project as often as they like or appoint an owners representative to do so. The terms would be an agreed price, 50% payment up front and the remaining 50% broken down as payments on completion of certain stages, then a handover when completed or in sail-away condition. The build would be as per plan, any modifications would be extra and would have to go through the designers first.
Here are the bad points:
There is not a snowballs chance in hell, the boat will be finished in 3 months, not even close, even the Wharrams estimated 4,000 hrs is optimistic. The Philippines is a developing country, everyone is on island time and everything is done by hand. We don’t have the luxury here of having tools and quality materials at hand so everything has to planned in advance and imported with customs, logistics and lead in times.
Some materials are readily available, but we have to be very selective. Plywood here is good quality but not the best. I boil test it often and it passes but what they sell as 3/4” is actually 15mm, ½” is actually 10mm and ¼” is actually 5mm.
There is no quality marine paint, pulleys, engines, winches, blocks and electronics available here at a reasonable price if you were to buy locally you can expect to pay up to 3 x the price in duties on what the Philippine Customs call luxury items.
Here are the Good points:
Well it certainly won’t take you 6 years! Having it built by a yard frees up your time to do other things and I’m sure it will come in cheaper than building it at home. Shed space will be included so you’ll not have to worry about that.
If you wish it could be built to structure only or in sail-away condition so it would be cheaper on you. To add your own personal touch you could finish the electronics, mechanics and interiors yourselves.
The yard is in a Tax Free Zone so the afore mentioned marine paint, pulleys, engines, winches, blocks and electronics, even your own choice of hardwood and plywood can all be imported Tax Free at OEM prices and may work out cheaper than buying retail at home.
My best advice to you is to set out your priorities of time and money, pros and cons, have a good long look at what’s important to you, crunch the numbers between building it at home, Mexico or the Philippines.
I’ve been living and working here as a Lloyd’s Qualified Small Craft Surveyor, Boat Builder and Boat Building Instructor for 6 years now and I could write a book about boat building in the Philippines and what to watch out for so I can assist you on this side of things any which way I can. Maybe Tom can help you with how things are in Mexico.
Kind regards,
Mark
Jan 9, 2019