Where can we build a Catamaran, its HUGE

 

The biggest challenge we faced was where to build our boat. We had earlier canvassed our local area and even snuck down some driveways to locate a suitable spot, but to no avail.

As our backyard was out of the question, the objective then became to locate a spot that we could rent for three years. However, a prerequisite was that it be within 10 to 15 minutes drive of our residence. The thought of 30 minutes each time there and back when you had a spare couple of hours to do some work, was out of the question.

After two months of tediously driving around we tracked down the owners of a large steel frame apple packing shed around the corner from where we lived. All looked promising until the eleventh hour when the owner indirectly told us that it had been leased for a further 12 months to someone else.

Grumbling some polite words, it was back to the drawing board.............again.

In late February 2004, we had been advised to call another friend of Peters’ to arrange a viewing of his shelter where he was also building an Easy 10.5. His first hull was up to the glassing stage and it gave us our first look at the challenge that lay ahead. His shelter for building the hulls was so simple yet effective and was made up of seven steel tubular frames covered with an industrial tarpaulin, the plastic type.

It was open on both ends and shaped in a dome standing five meters high, eight meters wide and twelve meters long. With his blessing, we quickly scribbled down sizes, lengths and took pictures (of what we nicknamed The Studio), as we could see this structure being a cheap alternative.

After devouring copious amounts of Easter chocolate that year, we had a call from Peter who now had the second hull ready to go. This coincided with us finding a property out of town, where we envisaged The Studio No2.

 

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It was now that the realisation of what was occurring finally sank in. We frantically drew up plans for our Studio and started the process of sourcing quotes for the steel poles, clamps and screws needed for the construction of the dome. The plans were designed to work around the local government building policies and avoid the nightmare ‘council approval process’

To do this, we had to avoid using foundations at the foot of each upright and make sure that the ‘dome’ was easily and quickly removable. Without solid footings the poles tended to sink into the soil with time. We therefore welded spikes through a 30cm x 30cm plates which we placed under each pole. We chose to purchase galvanised piping in the hope that we could on sell the dome once our project was completed. It was actually a friend who located the steel for us, some 20% less in price than my best price that, yet to say, he has now booked a place on the boat. This unfortunately coincided with a steel price rise of 20% some two months previous.

Three weeks later the first hull was positioned upright in its new home and a barbeque organised for the arrival of the second hull. The trick here was to supply beer and a sausage for brawn. We needed this brawn to manoeuvre the hulls into position and at 800kg each, they are a little heavy on your own. It was at this stage that temporary frames were erected, only held together with timber and clamps, enough to be self-standing on the keels alone.

We have had many requests for this information and therefore display it for ideas only. The credit for some of this data and associated specifications comes from friends of ours, who have asked to remain nameless. They too are midway through an Easy build.

I need to make it very clear though that this 'shelter' IS NOT COUNCIL APPROVED and take no responsibility for any failure etc. We did take the drawings of our intentions to Council to gauge their thoughts. We have all this information and more detailed drawings in the 'The Diary of Pure Majek'.

My thoughts....say nothing and if questioned, state the latter, after all, it will only take 30 minutes to pull down. Having said all that, the Tarp was made from Canvacon (choose your colours carefully as some are very hot) and bought from a bunch in Toowoomba, Queensland

The tarp cost about AUD $750 delivered. The steel about AUD $1200 delivered and other bits about AUD $200.

Eighteen months on, what do we think of the tarp?
Love the dome and worth every cent for a cheap alternative. It does get very hot under the tarp in summer, even with the sides open. If we did it again, we would re-enforce the apex (of each steel frame) with carpet (don't use carpet underlay as we did. With the heat it does harden, then starts to crumble, leaving little brown bits all over the place).

I would also consider paying a bit more to get the tarp re-enforced along the full apex area. Because we did not do this, the tarp will need replacing in another 8 - 9 months. The sun does take its toll on Canvacon and mine is starting to show a few holes, even when it carries a two year warranty.