Fantastic questions. I say "questions" in the plural because I see at least
two issues: i) what type of boat, and ii) why would you want to build one
rather than buy as good used one?

I haven't built a boat but I understand it's an enormous project usually
requiring about three times longer than budgeted, and much more money, and
then inevitably you end up very soon wishing you had done things a little
differently, in ways that you couldn't have known until you boated in it for
a few seasons.

I hear that a typical building time for a committed amateur builder,
constructing something in the 30 foot range, while gainfully employed in
some other occupation and wishing to spend some time with his friends and
family, is about ten years.

The first question sounds like you're not an experienced boater. (Correct if
in error.) Start small and work up. Boat with friends, crew for people, get
a small second-hand boat and use it a lot, fix it up a bit. Absolutely take
a few introductory boating courses. Boating safely requires knowledge,
experience, and a personal commitment to doing it intelligently. It needs to
be taken seriously. Off-shore cruising is dangerous - period. Not for
neophytes, and the fact that many of them have tempted fate and got away
with it does not justify their actions.

Ever boat is a compromise. Large and/or heavy ones will be more seaworthy,
although there are many other factors than size. Small and/or light ones
will be easier to maintain and handle, and require fewer crew (many other
factors...). At the moment, I need a bigger, heavier boat - and a smaller,
lighter boat! It varies day to day.

I'm on boat number four and still haven't got it quite right yet (although
very happy), and have spent a great deal of time this Spring cleaning and
repairing, and not keeping up with many other very important other parts of
my life.

Charles

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Charles T. Low
- remove "UN"
www.boatdocking.com/BDPhoto.html - Photo Contest
www.boatdocking.com
www.ctlow.ca/Trojan26 - my boat

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"Matthew Ryan" wrote in message
...
Hello all, I am considering building a biggish boat around 20-30' and
would
this be suitable to go from tumby bay to adelaide for example. I want to
feel safe and secure in it and be able to comftably handly rough water so
im
not bobbing around, any ideas, i think that the hull will be made from
metal
plate about 1/8" thick. i know it will be heavy but. It will also be used
in the river murray. I wont be building it for a while but would like to
start making plans.