Custom building is an exciting way to acquire your cruising boat. This term usually refers to building yourself from plans or a kit or having the boat built and/or mostly completed by a professional builder. For those with some boating experience and a patient disposition, this can be the best way of obtaining the cruising boat of your dreams. You will have the opportunity of being involved from conception to completion of you boat. Many of you may not have the time or the inclination to become so intensely involved, however it is a worthwhile exercise if you can arrange it.

   If you can manage the project yourself, then there are considerable savings to be made. With some intelligent planning you can end up with a beautiful custom cruising boat for much less than the cost of an off the shelf equivalent. You can choose an existing design or have a designer prepare custom plans and patterns. If you are able to source your own engine, mast, rigging, sails, deck hardware, engine and interior fittings, you can save many thousands off the cost of the finished boat. Any large chandler or marine hardware store will offer worthwhile discounts in return for the size of order that you will have at your disposal. It may even be worthwhile setting yourself up as a ‘boatbuilding enterprise’, this will give you access to trade discounts.