Tiki 46 build

[Darcy Rylander]

 I would like to build a Tiki 46 in the future.  I have not built a boat before, but my career is that I own and operate a machine shop/ welding shop and  I also run a carpentry business. My question is, would the time spent building one of the following a Tiki 30, 26, 21, first help in  shortening the the build time of a Tiki 46.

Thank you,

Darcy

[Penn D]

Some people find building a scale replica helpful.

[Björn]

Not with your professional experience.

[Darcy Rylander]

  I have thought about doing it on the computer with Solidworks 3D modeling. But yes I could see a scale replica helping. Thanks.
Penn D said:

Some people find building a scale replica helpful.

[Darcy Rylander]

 That's a beautiful boat you have. Looks very well built and maintained. 

Björn said:

Not with your professional experience.

[Budget Boater]

After building a smaller boat you will either:

1. Realize you do not want to take on the task and years required to build a larger boat,

or

2. Think that building a smaller Tiki translates into easy building of a larger Tiki (which is most certainly does not),

or

3. Will convince you to save the time and just buy an existing boat.

Regardless, building a smaller Tiki will in no way speed up the process of building a Tiki 46 in any measurable way.

[Brett Parker]

Greetings- I would say no too. You know how to work and how to handle all the tools. You could always get a feel for the epoxy(assuming you are not experienced with that) by building some of the smaller bits first. Are you going to build her in alloy or ply? cheers Brett

[Darcy Rylander]

I did give alloy a thought before, but from reading some of post on here I could not see any weight savings which I was kind of hoping for.  And enjoy working with wood over alloy, but that being said if I could see a better boat build with alloy of parts of it with alloy I would do that. 
Brett Parker said:

Greetings- I would say no too. You know how to work and how to handle all the tools. You could always get a feel for the epoxy(assuming you are not experienced with that) by building some of the smaller bits first. Are you going to build her in alloy or ply? cheers Brett

[Darcy Rylander]

Point 1 has always been a concern of mine and then with point 3 over the years I have seen some nice Wharrams sold for not much more than the material cost. But I also think there something to be said for building my own house or boat so as to understand what I am working and living with.  Thank you, Darcy

Budget Boater said:

After building a smaller boat you will either:

1. Realize you do not want to take on the task and years required to build a larger boat,

or

2. Think that building a smaller Tiki translates into easy building of a larger Tiki (which is most certainly does not),

or

3. Will convince you to save the time and just buy an existing boat.

Regardless, building a smaller Tiki will in no way speed up the process of building a Tiki 46 in any measurable way.

[dennis schneider]

No, with your backround go straight for the 46; I have a similar backround, built my first Wharram in the 70s, now building a 46footer. Go straight to it , man! 

Incidentally, you will not get your investment back in money, imho. If you still are undecided about purchasing the plans, I would advise you to choose a more contemporary design. If interested, ask me back for details..