Spotlight: Crest 910 and 1020

Crest of a wave

Kit boats have been around forever but, given the economic climate, chances are there will be a real resurgence in this smart way of getting afloat. After all, there's no more affordable way of going boating than building the vessel yourself. All you need are the handskills, the spare time and a backyard or shed to let your creative juices run wild.

But the great thing about kit boats today is that they are smarter, better designed and much better made. How about a kit with all the pieces machine cut and routed, meaning all you have to do is fibreglass them together - a bit like the old Airfix model planes you glued together as a kid - to create a complete ocean-going yacht (including internal furniture) of around 10 metres or 30 feet in length.

Best of all, you get your 30-footer for $33,000 to $40,000. Spend around another $40,000 for mast, sails, rigging, engine, deck gear and electronics, and you will end up with the complete kit and caboodle - a swish Euro-styled yacht that could be valued at twice the original outlay.

That's the spin from new Gold Coast marine player, South Pacific Boat Company (SPBC). It predicts its range of Blue Wave Yacht kit boats - a five-boat portfolio starting with the Crest 800 (8.0m) up to the Crest 1240 (12.4m) - will make would-be boat owners consider building a boat in their backyards again.

At this stage, SPBC has building kits (including plans and materials) available for the Crest 910 (9.1m) for $33,400 and the Crest 1020 (10.2m) for $41,500. Plans and kits for both models can be purchased separately.

ONE THING TO ANOTHER
A former architect, Keith Austin formed SPBC after finding a niche in the market for kit boats above 10 metres or 30 feet. His new venture also sprung from inquiries he made when he planned to fulfil a long-time desire to build a boat.

Austin found there is quite a bit of kit building equipment in this country, but nothing over 30 feet. His research led him to Satellite Yacht Design in the Netherlands. The design office owned by Kees Van de Stadt, who we believe is a relative of the famous eponymous Dutch yacht designer.

Satellite Yacht Design produces a not inconsiderable quantity of plans for high-performance sailing craft from 2.35m up to 23.52m for both amateur and professional boatbuilders. It was there that Austin sourced the plans for the Crest kit boats and gave the range the moniker Blue Wave Yachts for the Australian, NZ and Pacific island markets.

"With plywood kits you only need resin and fibreglass mat strips to join it all together," Austin explained.

His company has commissioned Gold Coast firm ATL Composites to cut and route the plywood kit-building materials, plus package the complete kits ready for shipping to your door.

"CNC routed kits remove the need for lofting from plans and it prevents errors in this process of reading from plans and setting out exactly what the designer requires," said Austin.

"It is also cost effective because of the minimum use of materials purchased... very little wastage as all ply components are laid out to scale on computer then close packed onto each ply sheet. Cutting is minimal," he said.

The pre-cut kits save many weeks' work over the construction period, boasts Austin, who also adds that modern epoxies have swung the pendulum back in favour of timberboat construction.

"Since osmosis, gelcoat cracking or delamination was experienced by GRP yacht owners, and with the arrival of modern epoxies, timber boats are looking the best option for the amateur boatbuilder," said Austin.

"They (epoxy resins) keep moisture at bay and thus prevent wet rot of the timber, while creating a hard impervious surface finish. It's by far the best method for creating the biggest volume of boat at the fastest speed for minimum cost and the best longevity," Austin said.

Austin is still planning to build his own boat from one of his kits. Meantime, he reckons there's a 'nice earner' for an amateur handyman to pursue here.

"One designer told me more people should be doing this. Build your own boat for yourself, and then sell it on for twice the outlay. This way, you don't pay tax (although we've yet to test it) and that could make it a nice little earner," Austin said.

For more information on South Pacific Boat Company, PO Box 956, Mudgeeraba, Qld, 4213, phone (07) 5530 3075, fax (07) 5530 3025, email: info@spboatco.com or visit www.spboatco.com