Thinking of building an Eco 18/Marissa

[tymann09]

Hey folks, I'm new to the forum and fairly new to boatbuildling. Just a little bit about me to start with. I'm fairly young at 22 years old but extremely motivated and quite expierienced for my age. I'm an emerging fine furniture builder and woodworker. I will be graduating school this December with an Associates of Arts degree from the Vermont Woodworking School at Burlington College. For those that are curious about my work, check out my website, www.TJGwoodworking.com. I've just started this past fall running my own part-time business as a woodworker. It is going quite successfully so far. I have built one boat in my life so far, a 16' Cedar strip canoe. I started the boat when I was 18 with very little expierience and finished it this past summer when I turned 22. After completing the boat, I realized I'd learned so much during the entire process. While completeing the boat, I kept recognizing new things that I wish I had done differently earlier in the build. In any case, It floats, looks pretty and does the job well. It weighs in at 55lbs. My grandfather built quite a few Adirondack Guideboats in his time. That is what inspired me to get into boatbuilding in the first place. I always tell myself, furniture-making will be my job, boatbuilding will be my passion.

 

Anyways, enough about me... This spring I'll hopefully be purchasing some property with a decent sized barn to work out of. I've already got a full wood shop worth of equipment but it is sitting in storage as we speak. My plan is to do a minor hull repair to a 26' Oceangoer Chris Craft once I get moved in. In turn for the repair will be a small lump sum of money to get started in my endeavors. Obviously I have never done repairs to hulls but am willing and eager to learn. The owner realizes this and it is one of the reasons he is helping me out. Once I've completed the hull repair, I plan to begin construction of a nice skiff. I've been doing quite a bit of research the past few weeks and have been eyeballing the Marissa quite a bit. Her clean lines and ecofriendly design appeal to me. I will be using the boat for pleasure mostly. Occasionally some fishing and mostly lakes, no big waters. Possibly Lake Champlain from time to time. I know this design is pretty good in choppy waters which is a plus for me, I don't like being on a boat that gets pounded.

 

I've got a few questions regarding this skiff though. The first question, does anyone know where I could find pictures of the interior of the boat? I can't seem to find any, and I've searched the forum as well. I'd like to see the layout of the boat and how she looks. Second question. I've estimated roughly 8k to build this boat. That includes the motor and possibly trailer, does that sound about right? Third, how much would one save from building the boat from scratch Vs. building with the kit as offered on the B & B site? Are there any benifits to doing it from scratch? Last question, this one may or may not have an answer, It'd be nice to know a ballpark figure on the amount of time to build. I'd likely be working on it weekends and weeknights, occasionally weekdays. I figure about a year, maybe year and a half. Is that reasonable or should I allow more time?

 

Well that's all I've got for now but I'm sure I'll think of more! I look forward to seeing what some of you have to say. 

 

Thanks!

-Tyler

[PAR]

1/3rd of your estimate will be an engine, its controls and steering, unless you can get a good condition, used setup. The advantage of building from scratch is of course the cost of the kit. Though the kit will have nice stock, all pre-cut, you do pay for this service and shipping, which is where your savings will be. Just guessing, but this may be about $1,000. I personally think the 8k estimate is a bit low, though it depends on the equipment installed really, as this can be 1/2 the budget once the trailer, engine, controls, steering and electronics are considered.

[tymann09]

Thanks for the response PAR. I'm hoping I can find decent used equipment. It would be nice to get used equipment and then upgrade as time progresses and I get more funds. I am not too concerned about the price as it will be mostly a hobby and will do little bits at a time. As I'm building I'd save for an engine and equipment, etc. I'm thinking that since it is my first larger boat, perhaps the kit might be a better idea. After that, maybe I'll take it to the next level and do it from scratch. We'll see.

[russell]

I think you may wish to send a note to Graham,I know he has some pictures you may like. He took many during the messabout of my Marissa. I built my Marissa in about 1 1/2 years working about 3 hours per day when I had the time. I built her from scratch using the plans and the many build pictures from Graham that come with the plans.

[Jay Lancaster]

Russel, do you mind posting a couple interior shots of your boat? Throw in some exterior ones too if you like!

[russell]

You can see some on the Messabout post. There is also many pictures I took during my build dated June 16 2012 on this forum.

[tymann09]

Thanks for the comments folks.

 

Russell, I've seen the Messabout pics that were posted. I really like the blue and I'm thinking If I chose this boat, I may do a similar blue, if not a shade darker. I've searched the forum and can't seem to find the thread from June 16 2012 as you stated. Perhaps I'm searching wrong? If you could post the link that would be fantastic, if not, no worries. I will pop Graham an email though and see what he's got. Also, did you happen to keep records as to what the total cost to build was? You had mentioned that you built from scratch, so I'd be curious to know. Thanks a bunch!

[russell]

The post seems to move each time I look for it? The post is archived, so go page by page looking for " My Marissa" started by Russell Jun 16 2012.I think somewhere about page 8.

[tymann09]

Hey Russell, I found the post! Finally! I looked at all the pictures you uploaded, looks like a beautiful boat you built, and I really like the instrument panel. I think you sold me 100% on building this for my next big project. I like the looks of the interior. Spacious enough for 4 people comfortably and also room for some gear. It'll be nice to take it out fishing with too. Thanks a bunch.

[LennieG]

Ty- can you send me the link please? I've had same questions and could not find it.

Thanks

[T.J.]

http://messing-about.com/forums/topic/8164-my-marissa/

 

Here you go Lennie.

[russell]

I am impressed. I don't know how you were able to establish the "link" but it worked. You asked about the cost of Marissa, I did keep all the info but have never added it up. The engine and accessories were the most costly. I bought the plywood and epoxy from Graham and saved a lot. I insruanced the boat through Haggerity, for $17,000. They had no problem with that. That is considerly more than the actual cost of the boat but that would probably be in line if I charged for the labor.