Time to build CS 17 kit

[bkeats]

I'm wondering how long people have spent building the CS 17 from a kit, either in real-time or building hours. I'm sure someone has posted about this previously, but I haven't been able to find it.

Thanks,

Brian

[Peter HK]

Hi Brian

I built a CS17 without the kit. I recorded the build hours over the 3 years I took to build it and it came to 467 hours. This was mainly in 1-2 hour segments, so not as efficient as being able to work in larger chunks. A kit would certainly reduce this figure...perhaps 20-25%?

HTH

Peter HK

[Jim Stumpf]

Hey Brian,

I will have about 1 1/2 years elapse time in my non-kit CS 17, I started last Feb and should be completed by this coming spring (after building several boats I am pretty certain of my time schedule). I also work primarily on weekends and bits and pieces when I can find the time during the week. I did not build over the summer. That being said, building is much like sailing you may need an idea about how long it will take to get there but in the end "It takes as long as it takes". I hope that does not come off as a smart ass answer but in my mind it is the only philosophy that works. If you are an experienced builder you will know what I mean, if this is a first time build allow for mistakes, you may need to allow for some time to over come burn out, if you have  a family or relationships you are going to need to allow for those kind of commitments. Absolutely nothing effects finishing time more than the quality of "finish" that you are trying to achieve. Most everyone can have a 3d hull in several building sessions it is the rest of the project that can be painstaking worked through or rushed to get on the water, that is every builders choice and will greatly effect build time.

Hopefully that answers your question, I also hope that you build a CS I think it is a great design and a better set of plans can not be found to work from.

Jim

[ChrisObee]

I will be surprised if the kit will shorten the build time.  It might save you time in that you will have no measurement mistakes to overcome.  The kit will make the build somewhat easier.  Certainly it will be less intimidating.  Its a big project but you will be surprised how fast it starts and how soon it slows down.  A high finish can easily double your time to build.  I will not attempt to put a number on it.  My boat is a similar size but somewhat less complicated and it has about 140 hours of actual building in it.  I expect that I will finish with another 30 or 40 hours. The finish that I apply will be basic.  Building time does not cover sitting and looking at the boat and wondering what to do now.  

[bkeats]

Thanks Peter, I had seen your count of hours in my initial search. 25% is probably a reasonable reduction when building from a kit I'd say.

Jim, I know what you're saying about the folly of scheduling a launch date (I've build a cedar strip kayak, so I have some experience.) I'm more interested in comparing the complexity of various designs rather than figuring out how long I will actually take (specifically the CLC northeaster dory). I'm really taken with the CS 17, but I can probably get the dory on the water in no time.

There don't seem to be a lot of kit builders hanging around the forums. I wonder if that's because the kit is relatively new, or just not that popular?

Thanks,

Brian

[Ray Frechette Jr]

I will build by kit on any boat Graham has a kit for.

the time savings overall pays for the cost of the kit over the cost of lumber and labor to get the parts out.

But having said that it doesn't save anywhere near 25% of the build time.

I figure on about 300 - 350 build hrs on a CS 17 from kit form.  That's all up rigged and painted.

Assembly goes faster without having to take time to layout and cut out parts and measure and loft where the parts go.  Biggest time saving though is in the time saved fairing the hull.  Geared chines and step scarfs put it spot on perfect with minimal fairing needed.

But many people think that it will save them upwards to 100-150 hrs.

Maybe a bigger time savings if you are a first time builder mind you .  I have built a few without the kit too.