Patrick, Excellent piece of writing on costs! Here is one clarification... >Now what about custom boats? Michael Kasten, the marine designer, quoted >me the following figures for custom construction: $4 - $6 if entirely >owner built (in other words, the cost of the materials more or less), $6 >to $8 if partially yard built (part owner construction such as finishing >out the interior), and $10 to $12 if completely yard built (turn key). He >was speaking about construction in either US or Canada. If I remember correctly, those prices were for a vessel such as Galatea (simple, sleek, robust metal yacht) built in aluminum. If built in steel, one can expect prices as low as around USD $8.50 per lb. ranging up to around USD $10 per lb. That is based on estimates for the 46 foot steel vessel Gulliver, and was given by Custom Steel Yachts in the US southeast. Prices vary quite a bit from builder to builder, and tend to a large extent to reflect what they must pay in labor rates locally. Quality does vary as well, but labor rates are the dominant cost factor (after size and complexity of course). With a strong US dollar, it is very attractive to entertain building in other places. Bill Kimley's prices for example are astounding for a professionally built metal vessel. Michael Kasten _____________________________________ Kasten Marine Design, Inc. PO Box 991 Port Townsend, Washington 98368 redpath@olympus.net 360-385-6407 PH 360-385-6409 FX _____________________________________