Post: #26

(03-10-2012 09:44 PM)xsplat Wrote:  Got it. No reply from the guy yet, but I'll shoot over to the harbor and see if I can learn more.

Bring a camera. Look in and under as many things as you can.

Aloha!

Post: #27

Watch out for this..
[attachment=5292]
Dive in and look. could happen very easy


[attachment=5293]
My homemade skiff

Post: #28

(03-10-2012 08:37 PM)mofo Wrote:  'If It Flies, Floats Or Fornicates, Always Rent It'

Agreed. Reminds me of: "Boating...the best two days of a man's life. The day you get it, and the day you get rid of it"

Post: #29

(03-10-2012 10:27 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Watch out for this..

Dive in and look. could happen very easy

My home made skiff

Nice handiwork.

Labor is very cheap here. I've always thought there must be an opportunity to run a small shipyard, especially if the costs of materials could be kept low. And so I've spent many a lazy Sunday afternoon daydreaming about using bamboo and concrete as marine building materials. Some companies are now making hulls from injected molded plastics and recycled plastics. An aquaintance partnered with a group of investors and built a large multi mast old style wooden sailing vessel here in Indonesia. There were nightmare cost and time over-runs, but in the end it got built (barely) and that company is making beacoup bucks using it for scuba vacations. I think it has a crew of 10. I'm rambling. Long story short is one day I'd like to pay for some research to see if a houseboat can be designed that can flat pack into a shipping container, and if the materials can include bamboo. If so, that's going to be my company, one day. I'm going to start with buying land and planting it in bamboo. Even if the bamboo house boat idea doesn't float, I can use it for other things.

But all I've done is daydream and play with plasticine. You have built something real and high quality.

Post: #30

(03-10-2012 11:22 PM)Jesse33 Wrote:  

(03-10-2012 08:37 PM)mofo Wrote:  'If It Flies, Floats Or Fornicates, Always Rent It'

Agreed. Reminds me of: "Boating...the best two days of a man's life. The day you get it, and the day you get rid of it"

Why is that? What upkeep and running costs should I expect on that boat?

If I could keep it for a year or two, learn to sail, have a few trips, then sell it again, I'd call that a win.

At this point I keep a 2nd apartment just so that I have a place to go in the event I want to step away from my live in. I rarely use it. That's a $4000/year expense just to have an option to use it. The boat could function as that apartment, saving money. Or I could just call it a lifestyle expense. The price of it itself isn't money I'll ever miss - maybe it would delay buying my land by about a month - but at the same time it could open up options for purchasing undeveloped remote coastland.

Post: #31

Bamboo and concrete huh? They do make some good boats out of Ferro cement though. Check these out...
http://www.triumphboats.com/tough-tests/
Cement boats..
http://www.ferroboats.com/
[attachment=5295]
Or just get one of these...1979

Post: #32

(03-10-2012 11:43 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Bamboo and concrete huh? They do make some good boats out of Ferro cement though. Check these out...
http://www.triumphboats.com/tough-tests/
Cement boats..
http://www.ferroboats.com/

Yup, I'm familiar with ferro-cement, and there is a guy out of Thailand who makes small bamboo boats using whole culm bamboo.

Bamboo has been used in water tanks instead of iron, but the problem is it needs to be coated with tar or something to prevent moisture from expanding or contracting it and causing cracking. What I'd like to see is if whole culms can be used in pontoons and skinned out with cement (or ferro-cement) for a smooth finish. In that case there should be a very strong structure that would still float in the event of a failure of the skin. Of course you pay a huge price in weight, but the idea is that houseboats are not performance speedboats. I'd try to compete on price. And what could be a cheaper pontoon?

I'm guessing most of what lies above water could be made from bamboo. Bamboo also can be processed into marine grade plywood, but the glues are of course costly. It's used a lot in kitchen floor tiles. I'm sure with attention to the epoxy it could make excellent decking.

Post: #33

Home-brew?
[attachment=5297]

Post: #34

I agree with everyone's advice so far, but the bottom line for me is: GO FOR IT. Jump in head first, learn as you go and consider your mistakes as an expected and enjoyable part of the process.

By no means does this mean not approach every new task and adventure without anticipating the worst and planning thoroughly. Some of my best adventures have involved getting in way over my head, and figuring it out as I go.

Consider the price small compared to the experiences and adventures that you'll have.

Post: #35

(03-10-2012 11:58 PM)xsplat Wrote:  

(03-10-2012 11:43 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Bamboo and concrete huh? They do make some good boats out of Ferro cement though. Check these out...
http://www.triumphboats.com/tough-tests/
Cement boats..
http://www.ferroboats.com/

Yup, I'm familiar with ferro-cement, and there is a guy out of Thailand who makes small bamboo boats using whole culm bamboo.

Bamboo has been used in water tanks instead of iron, but the problem is it needs to be coated with tar or something to prevent moisture from expanding or contracting it and causing cracking. What I'd like to see is if whole culms can be used in pontoons and skinned out with cement (or ferro-cement) for a smooth finish. In that case there should be a very strong structure that would still float in the event of a failure of the skin. Of course you pay a huge price in weight, but the idea is that houseboats are not performance speedboats. I'd try to compete on price. And what could be a cheaper pontoon?

I'm guessing most of what lies above water could be made from bamboo. Bamboo also can be processed into marine grade plywood, but the glues are of course costly. It's used a lot in kitchen floor tiles. I'm sure with attention to the epoxy it could make excellent decking.

It wouldn't be worth it. We have real good boat building materials that make it so much easier....

But, if you could build one small bamboo boat and sell it in easy ship-able kit form you could make some money..
http://www.diabgroup.com/aao/a_products/a_prods_3.html

The RVF of boat forums
http://www.thehulltruth.com/#b

Post: #36

xsplat- I think if you go into this knowing the chances are pretty high you are going to take a financial loss, you'll be ok.

Post: #37

Wasn't able to set up a tour yet - that will have to wait a few days. The boat was made in a ship yard in South Australia in 1999. The owner forgets the name of the company, and I won't get a chance to see the registration number for a few days. Anti fouling is due and will cost about $550.00. It was moored in the harbor in Bali during the tsunami, and has detailed travel and maintenance records (in Indonesian).

Its moored out in the water and I'll need to use the included dingy to take a closer look. From the distance I was not impressed. It doesn't have much sail relative to even similar sized sail boats, is smaller than I had expected, and as was said, lacks sex appeal. I'd rather pay twice as much for a sexier boat, but perusing online ads I'm not seeing much at all even in the twice as much budget range.

There is another buyer who wants to use the thing commercially as some sort of tour service to the Komodo Islands. I'll take a look in a few days but unless it moves me on closer inspection, I'll probably let this opportunity pass. I was getting psyched at the idea of boat ownership, but the deciding factor seems to be the sex appeal of the boat. That one stands out in the crowd as dinky and crude.

The one good thing about the deal is the boat includes free mooring for life in that harbor - but not on the docks. So no monthly fees other than maintenance and perhaps security would be involved.

Post: #38

Get yourself a local fishing boat if you are a complete novice. Get a feel for if it's for you for a year then sell it and upgrade if it is. My friend bought one on Belitung. Think he paid about 4000 USD might have been less. It's nothing like what you have posted but the fishing guys I met took theirs out deep for days on fishing trips so they are safe. Also won't draw as much attention from pirates which plague the waters,especially up where we were off of Kalimantan. They chug along but you could bling it up and hire a local captain very cheaply. That's what he did. I went out there on it to do some fishing and explore the islands off Belitung. Happy days!

Here he is on it and some other photos from that trip:

[attachment=5300]

[attachment=5301]

[attachment=5302]

Post: #39

I sail every summer. It is not something I recommend for people as a prop for picking up chick or for casual interest. It can be one of the most time consuming hobbies you'll ever have and requires true enthusiasm.

Post: #40

I spoke with Emech on this for hours. Probably to the point he was sick of hearing it. And then I bugged his friends. I wanted to know the cost of living on a boat when I moved to Tampa. Part of it was for pussy, but I've lived in shipping containers, holes, mobile homes, and figured a boat would be the next exciting thing. Bottom line, it simply costs too much to maintain.

I grew up on the water, all fresh, and spent some time on boat with the Navy, and I LOVE it. But fuck man. My dad spent fucking fortune on bass boats over the years. Saline cruisers are worse.

I'm serious about this.....if you're worried about money, don't buy a boat. Like vicious said, it a hobby you better love and not mind investing in.

Post: #41

Your romantic vision is this + some pussy lying around isn't it?
[attachment=5303]
If that's it it's going to co$t

Post: #42

This one here is all me!!
[attachment=5304]
You see all the deck space? The other boat has no clear surfaces for the ho's to lay out on. Those big rails on the front. He was seriously paranoid about going over(with good reason)

Post: #43

(03-11-2012 11:10 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  I spoke with Emech on this for hours. Probably to the point he was sick of hearing it. And then I bugged his friends. I wanted to know the cost of living on a boat when I moved to Tampa. Part of it was for pussy, but I've lived in shipping containers, holes, mobile homes, and figured a boat would be the next exciting thing. Bottom line, it simply costs too much to maintain.

I grew up on the water, all fresh, and spent some time on boat with the Navy, and I LOVE it. But fuck man. My dad spent fucking fortune on bass boats over the years. Saline cruisers are worse.

I'm serious about this.....if you're worried about money, don't buy a boat. Like vicious said, it a hobby you better love and not mind investing in.

Sailboats are dirt cheap here now. The problem is for living on them the get nasty inside if you don't clean them constantly with the mold and all.

Post: #44

Watch this.
Sailing+ custom suits

Post: #45

I've looked into the whole boat thing a lot.
$14,000 sounds like an all right price for what you're getting,
provided there's no refurbs needed and you're not dealing with large mooring costs.

I've had my eye on a hunter 25:



http://www.sailaction.com/images/hunter25.jpg

It would be a fun lifestyle choice... ARGH!

Post: #46

Oh oh. The owner says he has some schematics and blue prints of the boat, but not the name of the builder and there is no number on the rear of the boat or it may have been painted over. However he did provide the name of the boat and the australian government website that shows it's registered and the 6 digit O.N. number (whatever that is).

I'm told it cruises at about 5 liters per hour, with the sails up. Over here that's about $2.50, I think. So it wouldn't break the bank to tour around.

I'm having another change of heart. The boat isn't sexy, nor beautiful, but it's cheap and it's there, and it would do the job I'd ask of it. And in a stretch it could do a whole lot more. Instead of watching 30 Rock re-runs, I'd be snorkeling in island reefs. And who knows what other adventures and lifestyle changes it would facilitate. If I fall in love with the lifestyle, I can eventually trade up. If not, it was no huge investment to give it a try.

Post: #47

What's the deal with registering it? It's currently registered in Australia, but as a Canadian I can't register it there. So I register it in Indo? Canada? What paperwork needs to be done if I want to take it to another country?

Post: #48

(03-12-2012 02:12 AM)xsplat Wrote:  Oh oh. The owner says he has some schematics and blue prints of the boat, but not the name of the builder and there is no number on the rear of the boat or it may have been painted over. However he did provide the name of the boat and the australian government website that shows it's registered and the 6 digit O.N. number (whatever that is).

I'm told it cruises at about 5 liters per hour, with the sails up. Over here that's about $2.50, I think. So it wouldn't break the bank to tour around.

I'm having another change of heart. The boat isn't sexy, nor beautiful, but it's cheap and it's there, and it would do the job I'd ask of it. And in a stretch it could do a whole lot more. Instead of watching 30 Rock re-runs, I'd be snorkeling in island reefs. And who knows what other adventures and lifestyle changes it would facilitate. If I fall in love with the lifestyle, I can eventually trade up. If not, it was no huge investment to give it a try.

I hope you are walking away...

And don't get discouraged my brother. I'm sure this isn't the only boat they selling in Bali.

Look around and let us know what's up. I got business going in Sumbawa and I'll be out that way next month, and frequently for quite a while. I always fish, surf and dive wherever I go so a boat connection is cool.

Aloha!

Post: #49

(03-12-2012 04:01 AM)Kona Wrote:  I hope you are walking away...

Why? Are you thinking it might be stolen or something?

Actually, there doesn't seem to be any other boat in that price range of that size for sale in Indonesia. Most boats start at twice to ten times the price. I can't find any other boat within even $20,000 more than the price of that that can do what that boat can do. It was made in South Australia, so I assume it has toured up here from Australia, to Papua, and west to Indonesia. So it could handle similar trips up through the Philippines, Hong Kong, down the coast of China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, etc. Where am I going to find another boat for $14,000 that I could ask so much from?

I'll look into it more, mechanically, structurally, and legally. And then I'll try to arrange a weekend away with the thing and a hired pilot.

I can see how boats make great excuses for social gatherings. Bet my various family members would love to go for a spin in it.

Post: #50

Just go for it! Life is about seizing these opportunities not being sensible and thinking "does it make financial sense?" Think of the adventures. When you look back on your life do you want to remember 2012/2013 as being the years you sailed the high seas,diving on unexplored reefs,exploring desert islands or sitting at home dreaming about it. Will it bankrupt you? If not go for it.