Costs and time to build

The following cost and time figures have been submitted by builders. If a year of build was provided, we have included that information, otherwise the date of build is unknown so take that into consideration when estimating your costs. Remember, these costs will vary depending on the materials you use and prices in your area so please use them as a general guideline.

If the builder name is blue and underlined, you can click on it and you'll be taken to the Customer Photos section of our site directly to that builder's boat.

Thank you to all who have contributed this information and if you want to add your build costs, please email us at info@Glen-L.com

Click on the letters below to to get to the name of the design you are interested in:

Alpha 2 - 18-1/2' Classic Sailing Dory

Built by Robert Sanson - Finished in 2001. Total cost was about $3,500 and took 6 months to build. Robert Sanson - Saratoga Springs, NY

Andante - 38' Semi-Displacement Cruising Yacht

Being built by Don Bakker - I have been working on this project between 13 and 14 years and it's just about complete! The boat is absolutely the finest you will find with high gloss mahogany throughout the entire boat, granite counter tops, teak flooring, underwater lights and camera bow thruster, Raymarine electronics, and auto pilot, it has an electronically controlled John Deere engine. A Rep. from John Deere came to see the project and wants to put it in their magazine when it is in the water. I attend boat shows in California often and would be willing to put it next to any of them. I have a steel fabricating business with many employees that have made this project possible but so far have spent well over $250,000

Aqua Cat - 18' Power Catamaran Overnighter

Built by Daniel Bucklin (Australia) - Total Cost/2009: $26,300 includes:

Argosy - 42' Cruising Yacht

Built by Foster Sparkman - Built in 1986 and it cost $23,000 with a Ford 135 HP Diesel. Foster Sparkman - Saugus, CA (Editor's Note: This boat was for sale in 2006 for $250,000 but we don't know if it sold)

Audeen - 16' Classic Mid Engine Ski Boat

Built by Al Neil  (Ontario, Canada) - I am in the process of building the Audeen. I have acquired just about all of what is needed and made maximum use of e-Bay when looking for parts. This has been good and bad. My recommendation if I were ever to do this again, would be to go new with all of the parts required. This of course would increase the cost dramatically but save a lot of time and problems. The material cost is of less importance then the amount of work and time involved.

My cost in building the Audeen should run in the area of $10,000 Canadian, (including a rebuilt engine). If anyone would like further info on this subject they may feel free to contact me at any time. E-mail address is "xacn@aei.ca ". Regards, Al Neil - Kanata, Ontario, Canada

Bass Boat - 15' Bass Boat

Built by George Robertson - $8,800 - I believe it includes everything I bought for it, including $3,150 (approx. $6,800 value) for a brand new, still in the crate, Honda 40 hp motor I found at a dealer who was liquidating his inventory after going out of business. That's a deal not everyone will find. George Robertson - Flint, TX

Bo Jest - 18' Pocket Cruiser

Built by Rick Klemm - My Bojest (S.K. Ohana) cost approxn $20,000 Canadian dollars. Much of the solid lumber was scrounged. This includes the Motor, electrical, and trailer. At the Vancouver Boat show, I saw a comparable boat for $60,000. Cheers, Rick Klemm - Delta, BC, Canada

Bull's-Eye - 11' Skiff for oars, power or sail

Built by E-J Ohler - Cost (2002): $1,000-$2,000 for sailing version (however, I had a lot of the materials laying around)

NOTE: So adding everything up including buying the plan I probably spend close to $1,000-$1,200 for building a boat with my then young sons and one boat we still have which is priceless.

Cabin Skiff - 16' Tabloid Cruiser

I know there are some receipts missing. I did a far job keeping track of most but I am sure I failed to get a few in the folder where I was filing them. I know many of the odds and ends from the local hardware store were missed. So probably rounding it off a $5000 would cover it all.

This sounds like a pretty good chunk of cash - and it is. But if you compare it to a similar craft like the C-Dory it is actually not too bad. The list price for the C-Dory 16' cruiser is $11,800 for the hull. Don't forget like the CS you still need to add the outboard and trailer. My engine ran $5000 and I probably have about $800 in the homemade trailer. A new 2 stroke 50 HP with prop and controller would probably run close to $4000. A factory trailer will be in the $1000 to $1500 range. At least these are the prices I was finding in the spring of 2000. Obviously, a used outboard and/or trailer is another option.

Cracker Box - 15' Inboard Speedster

Built by Peter Randall - The total including engine, trailer and everything to get it going was about $17,000 Australian. I've been quoted around $35,000.00 by boat builders. Peter Randall - Lemontree Passge, Australia

Built by Alex Neymark - $44,000 includes motor & trailer, everything! Only top of the line materials were used including many custom made parts.

Eight Ball - 8' Sailing Pram

Built by Steven Sage - The Eight Ball (stitch and glue version) ended up costing me about $800.00. This was every thing from the plans through the sails and rigging. I didn't fiber glass the hull but I did encapsulate inside and out. Used exterior 1/4" Luan for sheathing. Steven Sage - Bland, VA

Built by Scott Richey - In the summer of 2009, I built an Eight Ball dinghy for less than $265. I built a pair of Eight Balls about 20 years ago, but they were stored outside the last 10 years and simply fell to pieces. I reused the hardware on the new dinghy, which helped to lower the price somewhat. I bought Arauco-ply plywood, 3 sheets (2-1/4 inch and 1-1/2 inch sheets) for about $65 and clear douglas fir for the longitudinals for about $30, plus another $18 for the oak rub rails. I used mostly Weldwood plastic resin glue (2 pounds for about $20). I bought fiberglass locally for $70 to cover the bottom and used polyester resin ($35) to apply it. Paint was latex for another $25. I live in Utah which makes getting quality boatbuilding materials a bit of a challenge.

Flying Saucer - 12' Classic Runabout

Built by Bill Levien: Total (2008) = ~ $8,000
Plans: $75
Lumber for Frames, Planking, & Misc: $750
4 Gallons of Epoxy: $450
Fiberglass Kit: $350
Fasteners: $150
Deck Hardware & Fasteners: $300
Paint & Varnish: $250
Interior "Stuff": $100
Motor, Controls & Steering: $4500
Harbor Freight Trailer + Modifications: $550
Both still get complimented to no end when we take them out :-) Bill Levien - Pleasant Hill, CA (Bill built the Sea Kayak II also)

Glen-L 12 - 12' Sloop

Built by Steven Sage - $1800.00 - This would be for plans through the sails and rigging. Didn't glass the hull but did encapsulate inside and out. Used exterior AB plywood for sheathing. I was fortunate to have a local lumber yard where I could get African Mahogany for $4.00 per board foot (cost has since risen to $5.50 per board foot), used local cut white pine for the mast and boom (wood was free, just had to go and get it). Steven Sage - Bland, VA

Built by Don Coe - I spent $2,607.45. This was in 2007. This does not include the trailer or the outboard I purchased. Nor does it include related travel (to your place), misc. supplies, registration, etc. It does include mast, rigging kits, hardware kits, fiberglass kits, and, most important, SAILS. OH YEAH! There was the lumber too. Don Coe - Reno, NV

Built by Carl F. Sevey - After working on the sailboat for several years, I completed it on June 25, 2003.
Total cost (includes sails & mast) = $1554.02
I worked about 448 hours on my sailboat.
The name of my sailboat is "Need-a-Breeze".

Built by Carl Koski :
Fir marine plywood was about $250
Wood for frames = $100
Epoxy, fiberglass cloth, glue, paint and hardware = $600
Mast, sail, boom and standing rigging were from a moth sailboat I built about 35 years ago. The jib is a used snipe sail for $100
Trailer from Harbor Freight Tools = $300
Electric motor = $150
2 lawnmower batteries = $50
Total = $1,550

I sail from Taughannock State Park near Ithaca, New York which is only about 4 miles from home. There is a bridge between the launch and lake so the electric motor is used to get to a sandy beach where I raise the mast.

Glen-L 15 - 15' Sloop

The price listed includes the Sitka spruce used for the mast and boom, as well as for two sculling oars that I made from leftover spruce, oak and plywood. The price does not include the cost for a boat trailer. I bought as much as I could (hardware, sails, rigging, misc. stuff) from Glen-L. I live near Annapolis, MD so I have access to several outlets for materials, paint, hardware and like that which minimized shipping costs.

Imp - 10' Flat Bottom Rowboat

Built by Tom Winningham - I built the Imp a couple of years ago for a friend (approx. 2007). I believe we had about $800 in it, and we were being very careful with money. The plywood was marine, but we cut some corners with some of lumber. It was covered on the bottom with fiberglass, and then painted carefully. It has held up just fine outdoors for 3 winters (and summers) now. This was a great first project and very fun--good preparation for building something else. You could probably get an aluminum boat for the price of building this, but this is much nicer and much more enjoyable - a very good winter project. He added a trolling motor (not in the price). I enjoy your web site - keeps me thinking about building another boat. Thanks, Tom Winningham - Downers Grove, IL.

Key Largo - 19' or 20' Classic Double Cockpit Inboard Barrelback Runabout

Built by David Vangsness, Riverside, CA  - Costs to build are just under $20,000 which includes the motor, a GM 4.3 L Vortec V-6 marine engine and Borg Warner transmission.

While I am not quite finished, and I have missed a few odds/ends over the course of the project, this is pretty accurate. As you can see from my spreadsheet we are at $17.5k now, which does not include a custom built double axle trailer from Pacific Trailers of Chino.

I have been working on the boat for 6+ years, which seems like a long time. However, I have a wife, 3 kids a mortgage and full-time job, so this is definitely part-time work! As I'm sure you're aware, building time is very much subject to the time available and skill level of the builder. I have been a serious woodworker for 20 years and have a pretty comprehensive shop. However I have never built a boat, so considerable time was dedicated to researching things before I bought or cut them up. This adds to the time needed. That said, I have no doubt a skilled retiree could build this boat in a year or less. I intended to do a "timeline" as well, but that fell away early.

The money tracking is pretty accurate though and everything has been purchased at retail with no real "inside sources," just internet comparisons and personal preferences as to what components I wanted. I don't feel I cut corners to save money per se, but tried to be careful with costs, so I think this is a pretty good base to use for others wondering what one of the Mahogany designs might come to.

My remaining costs are upholstery for front and rear bench seats, chrome rub rails, horn and stern light, along with having a chrome shop plate my cutwater which I am working on right now. So, I am confident I will come in under $20k, which is pretty good when all is said and done. Another advantage to taking 6 1/2 years is that $20k over 72 months is just around $275 a month, so the costs are spread out!

Kidyak - 9' Kid-Sized Kayak

Built by Phil Storey (UK) - Prices are approximate, but I bought enough materials to build 2 Kidyaks (although I have only completed one at present - 2nd one finished by the end on July 2009 hopefully) and the total materials came at around £170 pounds sterling for both craft. I have to say these are brilliant canoes for youngsters up to 9/10 years of age - they are very stable and easy to paddle - my 6 and 9 year sons both absolutely loved them. Regards, Phil Storey - United Kingdom

Little Hunk - 18' Flat Bottom Pacific Dory

Built by Court Robinson - It's useless to put a price on building--use the bill of materials to estimate using local materialss when possible. In building, the cost savings are not the benefit. The real benefit is the recreation and educational aspects. I have no idea of the actual hull costs for my Little Hunk but sure enjoyed the experience. Court Robinson - Orillia, Ontario, Canada

Malahini - 16' Classic Runabout

Built by George Redden - I kept a detailed record of time and material during construction. Total cost (rounding to nearest $100) was $15,200, consisting of:
60 HP 4-stroke Murcury - $5800
Trailer - $1800
Wood (including Joubert mahogany plywood at $50 a sheet and Honduras mahogany planking) - $1900
Coatings (Interlux paint/varnish, Glen L fiberglass) - $1200
Hardware - $700
Boat stuff (steering, controls, upholstery, gauges, etc) - $3600
Supplies (like sandpaper) $200
Time - about 1300 hours

It could have been built at a considerably lower cost (maybe $11- to $12,000) using lower grade material, less of it, and a used trailer and motor.

Discounting the value of time, I could have bought a decent classic mahogany runabout or a nice, nearly new 17/18-foot fiberglass bowrider for about the same money, but preferred building over restoring and liked having everything brand new. I always thought building it was exciting, entertaining fun and never work, so if I charge for the entertainment I had, maybe the boat was free??? Plus the many, nice compliments I get are priceless.

I'm thinking of a Glen L 17 sailboat and the cost per foot would be considerably less. George Redden - Staunton, VA

Built by John Loken  - I own two boats, The one I built is the one I prize the most.

I kept no detailed records pertaining to money or time. I can tell you 1 year part time, and about $15,000 including a new 60 Merc. 4 stroke and new trailer.

I enjoyed building it and take great pride in it then and now. My Malahini elicits compliments everywhere it travels. One great advantage is the lighter weight over fiberglass. My Malahini resides in New Jersey and has traveled by trailer for vacations as far south as Florida and as far north as New York Lake Chaplain and the NY canal system. This fall it will be going fishing in Canada. Tow vehicle is a mid size SUV.

Another advantage, the money outlay is spread out over time. My other boat is a 25' Trophy and I cannot recall ever being complimented on that boat--it's just another boat!

Built by Alan Bates & Dad  - I built the 16' Malahini Classic runabout in Brisbane, Australia in 2006/2007. I didn't keep a record of the total hours on construction, but the total build time was 9 months (with my father and I working on it), including 2 weeks full-time, and pretty much every weekend. No work was done at night.

I didn't spare any cost on materials either, as I figured that the material costs were small compared to the hours that I put in on the project!

The total cost was $21,000 Australian dollars (about $18,900 US), but this included a new outboard motor and trailer, and the costs of registration and insurance for the trailer and boat for the first year.

All timber frames were Hoop Pine (probably a little better than Douglas-fir), and the marine ply was A-A Hoop Pine sheets. So you can see that the timber, epoxy, fibreglass, paint, chandlery, anchor, all safety gear and registration and insurance was less than half the total cost. By the way, when we turned the hull off of the form we weighed it. It was 133kg (293lbs).

Performance: Top speed with full fuel tanks, and carrying two adults and two children is 67 kph (42mph).

Minuet - 18' Overnight Sloop

Built by Nick Adams - I finished building my Minuet in 2006, and up to $4,000 kept careful track of costs; I estimate about another $3,000 was spent after that, including costs for all rigging, sails, hardware, etc., but not the trailer, which I also built myself from Glen-L plans and cost me about $2,000.

So, all told, about $9,000 Canadian (about $8,535 USD as of 2/24/2010). The work went fairly quickly until we turned the hull, and then at a crawl after that. Other events intervened between when I started the project and when I finished it, so it would be difficult for me to give much of an estimate of the total time it took. But it's a slow process compared to, say, finishing your basement. Also, I struggled at times just trying to decipher the instructions. But it was a rewarding project, and people who see the boat are amazed that I built it myself. Nick Adams - Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada

Minimaxed - 8' Stitch & Glue Mini-Speedster

Built by Bob Spiess - $250-$350 is a good guess. I used marine fir plywood, glass tape, epoxy throughout, designed and built my own steering, and used all of your hardware. It took about 2 weeks to completely build it but time was spread over 4 months due to very little free time. The boat and engines are the same as I had when I grew up in the 1955-1960 time period.

The Glen-L plans were excellent and am planning to build another Glen-L design this winter. The engine is a fully restored 1949 Mercury "Super 5" I just finished. I also just finished a 1955 Mercury Mark 6 restoration that will soon be tested on this boat. Speed is 15+ mph with me in the boat (240 lbs), but faster with some of my less weighty family. Bob Spiess - Griswold, CT

Monaco - 19' Classic Inboard Mahogany Runabout

Built by Robert Carr - My son and I are in the process of building the Monaco; we are careful about expenses especially the wood; we estimate $10,000 without the motor. Robert Carr, Brooklyn, NY

Built by John Gondek - Total cost for my Monaco - Sixty Plus was about $24,000 including motor - custom built by myself at a cost of over $13,000 including custom heavy duty Velvet Drive Transmission. I shopped very carefully for everything and feel I saved at least $3000 - $5000. John Gondek - Parkersburg. WV

Built by Garry Stout - The engine/trans combo is by far the biggest expenditure I made on my boat. For convenience, reliability and performance reasons I chose to purchase a brand new, factory built marine engine (Indmar) with a new transmission as well. This engine/trans combo costs $7,500. Those who choose to scrounge a junk yard engine and rebuild it themselves can do so for FAR less than purchasing new. Another area of some notable expense is the trailer. Again, I chose to go the top of the line route buying a brand new, all aluminum trailer. Even with a good discount this trailer cost $2,800. Scroungers can find a suitable used steel trailer for under $700. The third item of significant expense is the upholstery. I chose to sub-contract this out to a professional upholsterer as I'm hopeless with a sewing machine. Using high quality "starboard" for seat and ceiling backing boards, and using marine grade seat foams, naugahydes and carpeting has run me about $5,000. Those who can sew themselves and will be satisfied with "builder grade" materials, can do so for much less.

So.........having said all that, I have a total of $40,000 into my Monaco, completed. This includes every single nickel that went into the project. My bookkeeping philosophy was if I spent the money and it was related to building the boat, then I counted it. Every nail, screw, staple, piece of sandpaper, new blade for the table saw, etc. is included. I'm probably at the top of the price list compared to other Monaco builders, but I wanted this boat to last a lifetime and did not scrimp on any materials. I hope this helps. Garry Stout - Odessa, FL

Built by Bill Yonescu - Built two boats at $19,000 each in 2000 and covers everything, including 1K$ for the final clear coat spray (done in a booth by a local auto body shop) and 1K$ for the upholstery (done by a local auto upholstery shop), 1K$ for the complete windshield, $500 just for the bow light. 1K$ for a fancy CD-Stereo system with Bose speakers, separate amplifier and powered subwoofer and dash mounted remote. There is a digital compass, a digital depth-finder, and other fancy gold plated gauges (Faria) that were more expensive than may really be required. I used a custom 40 gal fuel tank ($350), about $500 for 10 coats of 2-part polyurethane clear as a pre-finish to the final spray, $500 in epoxy. About 1K$ for the underwater gear (available from Glen-L) and propeller. (I used a chromed rudder, strut and stuffing box.) $200 for a Mahogany steering wheel.

The bottom is 4 layers of 4mm Okoume plywood (approx 12 4x8 sheets) ($400) Sides - 2 layers of 3mm Okoume plywood (8 sheets ) ($300) with a final layer of 1/4" mahogany ($500). Deck - 5 sheets of 3mm Sepele plywood ($350) over 4 sheets of 9 mm Okoume ($250) The bottom got 3 coats of epoxy, 3 coats of 2-part barrier paint, and 2 coats of white bottom 2-part epoxy paint. Sides and deck were stained, covered with 3 coats of epoxy then the 10 coats of 2-part poly, sanded and sanded and sanded and then the final spray coats. The stringers were laminated out of 2 and 3 layers of 3/4 fir. Engine logs solid 4"x4" mahogany. The engine/transmission cost approximately $7K. All hardware was stainless steel. Other items make up the rest.

All these number are approximate. I wanted the nicest boat I could build and didn't spare expenses. There would be lots of ways to cut costs and still have a very nice boat. Bill Yonescu - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Outrage - 16' Deep Vee Ski Boat

Built by John Wilmot - $4,400 includes $1500 for a used 90HP motor, $600 for steering and $300 for seats. John Wilmot - Edgewater, MD

Power Skiff - 12' or 14' Stitch & Glue Power Skiff

Built by Mike Hadfield - My first attempt at building one of your designs was the 12 foot skiff, stitch and glue method. I used exterior grade ply rather than marine grade to keep costs down in case I messed up. It took about 3 weeks to complete, taking into account moving it in and out of the garage (we have small garages over here), but in reality with enough space you could almost start it Friday night and have it in the water for Monday! In terms of cost a similar boat new would probably cost upwards of 800 pounds (about $1233 USD) but new wooden boats are not common, most going for grp. Basically I got our little boat in the water for less than 200 pounds (about $308 USD) and we have been using it for about 3 seasons, it goes very well with a 4hp and 2 adults. I can honestly say any one should be able to follow your plans, you can spend as much as you like but you'll still end up saving a fortune on buying the equivalant new or even used. Mike Hadfield, Cornwall, UK

Riviera - 20' Classic Inboard Mahogany Runabout

Built by Mark Bronkalla - My cost numbers are a bit dated as they are from 1999-2000 when I built my Riviera. I came in at approximately $19,500 including trailer. I did a fair amount of scrounging and searching to hold to that price. I could easily have spent another $5000 if I was not careful (engine, trailer, lumber being big items). There were also a few things I bought at the time and never used that are not included in the budget. I still have 3 sheets of mahogany ply wood waiting for a "good project". At one point I had a bag with all of the receipts in it, but I was not as careful about putting everything in there that I could have.

I have a budget page with some of the numbers filled in at: Not complete, but it does give folks an idea of some of the major cost items and quantities (e.g. number of sheets of plywood). Mark Bronkalla - Waukesha, WI, www.bronkalla.com -- 50 mph furniture

Rob Roy - 14' Stitch & Glue Canoe

Built by Francois Theron - I built a "Rob Roy" canoe about a year and a half ago (2007). I didn't keep an accurate record of the costs but from memory I would say it cost me between $300 and $400 (Australian) excluding the plans.

I want to make use of this opportunity in commenting you on your website, it is a great resource and contained a wealth of knowledge. I am already dreaming about my next project and would this initiative of providing an estimate of total cost of different boat designs be just what I need to compel me into some action. Regards, Francois Theron - Australia

Rowme - 12' Rowboat

Built by JR Holder - I used your kits for the epoxy and other stitch and glue materials. I purchased Honduran Mohogany for the lumber and British marine plywood. I covered the exterior with two layers of fiberglass that I got from NAPA Auto Parts. The outside of the boat was painted with green gelcoat and the mahogany was finished with Sea Fin Teak oil. The total cost was just under $2000 and it took me about 10 weeks to complete. These costs are slightly higher than most because they are delivered to Fairbanks AK. J R Holder

Scrambler - 15' Outboard Whitewater Sled Boat

Built by Rick Herrick - I built the “Scrambler” last winter (2008). Cost of building was approximately $1,500.00 in lumber, and $450.00 for bronze fasteners, epoxy, and fiberglass cloth. The boat really handles well, I just got off the river an hour ago and had more than a couple people come up and ask me about the boat including the sheriff who was out on safety patrol. All said it looked like a wonderful design. Thanks Rick Herrick - Sedro Wooley, WA

Sculling Skiff - 17' Recreational Rowing Skiff

Built by John Crill - From you I bought the plans and the hardware kit for the sliding seat. I bought marine ply from a supplier in England (I live in France but the marine ply is cheaper and better, no voids, in England) and also the epoxy. All the mahogany came from a local staircase manufacturer who sells a tightly paced skip of imperfect wood 10feet by 4 feet by 3 feet for about 100 dollars or about 1.20 dollars/cubic foot. A real bargain. All of the wood is hardwood, some is slightly warped but most of it is only imperfect for making staircases - fine for cutting into narrow strips for boatbuilding and laminating. I bought the sculls at a car boot sale (garage sale) for 30 dollars. They're beautifully made by one of France's top racing skiff builders and they just needed stripping and revarnishing, 5 coats.

For much of the build I used polyurethane glue as it is pretty tough and simpler to use than epoxy, but everything is epoxy coated and the boat also has a layer of fine glass roving. I modified the deck design by lengthening it both ends and glassing in a bulkhead to make waterproof caissons. There are a lot of idiots in France in big motorboats who don't look behind and realise how big the wash they are making is, and I didn't want to get drowned! If I get too much water slopping in, I might fit a sailing dinghy's self bailer.

I think that the total cost including the items I bought from you is about $650 to $700 but this includes the epoxy and there is quite a lot left. Best regards, John Crill, France

Sea Kayak - 17' Touring Kayak

Built by David Lott - I completed the Sea Kayak about a year ago (2008) at a total cost of $220. Working on the Riviera now and keeping track of expenses. David Lott - Branson West, MO

Sea Kayak Two - 19' Touring Kayak for Two

NOTE: I made SKII out of 1/4" plywood since I couldn't' get 4mm locally... Kayak is fast and straight loaded with me, wife and dog but it's a little heavy to transport so I used a $200 Harbor Freight Trailer but replaced the short tongue with a 16' tongue ($45 from local metal supplier) and built custom bunks so it's much easier for my wife and I than securing it to the roof.

Both still get complimented to no end when we take them out :-) (Bill also built the Flying Saucer) Bill Levien - Pleasant Hill, CA

Sherwood Queen - 15-1/2' Mini Tug

Built by Clark Johnson - I extended my Sherwood Queen 10% to 17' overall and she was built of the best materials I could find. Mahogany Plywood was $75 per sheet, old growth Douglas fir 2x6 grade "c" select for framing (beautiful straight clear grain, no knots in the entire boat). SystemThree epoxy and fiberglass sheathing. Engine is a 15 hp Mercury bigfoot with power tilt and electric start. Trailer is the only real bargain as I found a used trailer for $600 that was perfect for my boat. I painted the boat with several coats of Polyurethane floor and porch enamel. Also installed a fishfinder with speedometer and temperature.
Total expenditure was a shade under $7000 (built 2006-2007)

The actual build time would have been longer for most people as I am a retired carpenter and have a large shop full of good tools. This also is the 5th boat I have built. Clark Johnson - Laurel, MT

Ski Tow - 15' Ski Boat

Built by Mike Aronson - Over the last two years I built a Ski Tow (2006-2008). You may remember that I am the guy that built this boat with my Dad, when I was in high school, way back in the 1960's. My Dad has passed away and since I am now retired, I decided to attempt to build the same boat, on my own. I struggled from time to time but I finally finished the project. The boat turned out pretty nice and it performs very much like the original. I put a 50 HP Honda on it and it moves along, close to 40 MPH. The cost was approximately $6,400 for materials, paint, varnish, electrical, gauges and controls, etc. The motor was $6,100, so the total was $12,500. Mike Aronson - Holland, MI

Squirt - 10' Runabout

Built by Larry Madison - In response to your request, I am getting close to the end of my Squirt build. I think it will be just under $4,000 and I still haven't bought a trailer or trailer hitch. I already had my outboard motor from another boat.

I have about 250 hours in, and I'm sure I have another 40 or 50 to go. Thanks for all you do to encourage and support us.

Built by Rich Stabler - I built the Squirt that you have on your web site. I’m glad you are doing this and I might add everyone building a boat or for that mater anything you have to license should keep a spread sheet of the item cost and the tax you paid for that item. When it comes time to visit the DMV office they will ask you to place a value and on it and you can show you have paid the tax along the way. A simple break down for ours was as follows.

Built by Graham Knight - I kept a close record of my building costs, and in total she cost me £1600 to build in 2004, that included the outboard motor which I bought on eBay for £71 and the cost of restoring it too. I did manage to keep costs down by using quite a lot of reclaimed timber and offcuts from work, and was able to get my marine ply at near trade prices, even so I was amazed at how cheap it worked out in the end!

I sold her a couple of years ago for nearly £3500, the £1900 profit in no way accounted for the work that I'd put into her, but I reckon any profit at all on a used homebuilt is pretty good. Graham Knight - Shepperton, England

Built by Paul McMillan - I completed a "Squirt" in June of 2008 and estimate my cost at $2200 Canadian funds, less the motor. I used Philippines mahogany for the framing and plywood, bought a new steering assembly but the motor controls I was able to purchase used. Someone with more experience may save a couple hundred dollars as I did ruin a sheet or two of plywood! Paul McMillan - Ontario, Canada

Built by Don Wood - I built a Squirt using the kit. The total cost including 9.9 Motor with remote electric start and trailer was $4500.00. The motor was purchased from Small outboard .com, Trailer from Harbor freight. Great planing boat and have had a great time running up and down the Delaware River. Love your products. Would like to build the Zip for my next boat. Don Wood - New Jersey

Built by Terry McIntyre - I built a jet version of the Squirt, in Northern California. I went kind of high-end - the boat is completly "bright finished" in quarter-sawn mahogony, fiberglassed inside and out, has professional tuck-and-roll upholstery, and meets AYBC standards for equipment, lights, and electrical system. Including the donor jet ski (550 Kawasaki) and new trailer, I spent just over $7,000.

It took me 3 years working on and off, and I've probaly got in excess of 1000 hours in it. An awful lot of that was the "Bright finish" and getting all the jet mechanicals right. I think a "normal" Squirt would be substantially less in both cost and hours spent.

Sweet Caroline - 20' Traditional Dory/Skiff

Tahoe - 19' to 24' Classic Double & Triple Cockpit Inboard Runabouts

Built by Gerald Hurst - I am building a Tahoe 23 (stretched to 24' 4") and have logged 1230 hours thus far. Bottom and boot top painted and sides ready for stain and varnish. Have spent $13,900 on materials including strut, shaft, shaft log, rudder and misc. paint, etc. Have steering wheel, steering system, throttle, and other misc. items. Engine and transmission will cost additional $11,000. Have some mahogany in stock, but will need a little more to complete interior, seating, and deck. Will need cutwater and other hardware, rubrail, windshield, and upholestry. Would be foolish to try to estimate the final cost, but hope it is less than $40,000. Great fun and therapy for what ails you. I hope to create a show piece.....and as you know, it takes time. Gerald Hurst - Jacksonville, NC

Built by Bill Edmundson - Built to 20'-6" and cost Approximately $47,000 (completed in 2008). That includes about $17,500 for the new turbo diesel engine, $1300 for upholstery from a custom shop and $3,400+ for a new aluminum trailer. I used 316 stainless fittings everywhere I could. Bill Edmundson - Pelham, AL

Tiny Titan - 8' Hydroplane

Built by Ken Roy - I built the Tiny Titan. Cost was $600. Mahogany frames, marine plywood and okume decking, I used your nails and screws and West System epoxy. This price does not include engine or steering gear. Ken Roy - North Andover, MA

TNT - 11' Runabout

Built by Pete Ahlqvist - A few years back I built the TNT and all told with your plan set, galvanized fastener set and aluminum fin, the price was less than a $1,000 Canadian, and that includes the West epoxy system I used,(very pricey(. But I must add that I did have some of the framing material on hand. I used aircraft grade fir, so it's a little heavier than it could have been, but the results were more than satisfactory. The motor wes a 40 mariner magnum i got for $800 CDN the tank was a fancy 12 gallon one and I also purchased a single cable steering rig with wheel and 2 seats. So all told I pretty much have $2000 CDN into it. Pete Ahlqvist - Wanless, Manitoba, Canada

Built by Andy Bangsberg - I spent about $3,000 on the TNT:
$560 for frame kit
$500 for epoxy and hardware
$500 for Marine plywood and Mahogany
$200 for upholstery
$750 for engine and controls (73 merc 20 hp short shaft, electric start, controls)
$250 for paint, thinner, primer (Interlux Perfection)
$300 for misc supplies, hardware etc.
http://www.bsehosting.com/get/tnt/bizweb.asp
I started in Jan of 2006 and finished in July of 2008
Andy Bangsberg - Cumberland, WI

Being built by Tim Fuchs & Sons - My sons and I have been building a Glen-L TNT for 1-2 years now on and off. We're really working hard on it now between School work and other things. Prices are in Canadian funds:
We started by ordering a frame kit from Glen-L which gave us quite a jump on the project - Approx $430 The materials for all the framing I purchased rough cut lumber that we cut and planed to correct size. The rough cut mahogney cost us approx $300
The sheeting for 5 core 1/4" waterproof was $65.00/sheet x 5 sheets = $325
The West System epoxy was approx. $200 up to now
Stainless Fasteners = $130
Mercury 25 hp 1999 = $900
Teleflex steering = $600
Controls = $500
Total so far = $3,385 ($3,211 USD as of 2/24/2010)
Time is something I did not keep track of as my boys and I have had fun doing this project. We have already started our next project the Tunnel King from Glen-L.

Built by David Blanchard - It has been a few years since we built the TNT but back then it ran us $2900 Canadian which included the seats and steering. David Blanchard - Brockford, Ontario, Canada

Tubby Tug - 9' Tugboat for kids of all ages

Built by Erik Roadfedt - I spent approximately $2000 on a Tubby Tug build. That's for the boat w/hardware following Glen-L directions without modification. A new Minnkota 55 lb. thrust trolling motor @ $250 and used trailer off ebay.com @ $300 were extra. I used the best material I could find, including your epoxy kits, okoume plywood @ $90/sheet, white oak for the rails, bumpers, and keel, and mahoghany for the pilot house. All paint and polyurethane is marine grade. The project was affordable for me because the costs were spread out over two years. Thanks and keep up the great work, Erik Roadfeldt - Duluth, Minnesota

Built by Kevin Brown - Took 100 hours over 4 months. Kevin Brown - Flowery Branch, GA

Built by Doug Wade - I just completed my first boat build, a Tubby Tug. I will send pictures and a write up after launch when I can get on the water pictures. I went over the top in this build using all marine wood and finishes. Including fire monitor and pump plus running lights, battery, solar panel, windows, horn and so on--the cost was very close to $3000 Canadian. My time was well in excess of 400 hours but this is a guess because I did not record time and each and every hour was a pleasure. I have a new Suzuki 4 stroke 2.5 hp motor on order (appx 1000 Canadian with taxes) and I assembled a Harbour Freight trailer to move the boat. Doug Wade - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tuffy - 13' Runabout

Built by Allan Gillis - Cost: $13,600 This breaksdown to $9000 for new motor, $400 for steering, $3000 for boat, $1200 for trailer--all prices are in Canadian dollars as of 2006 (US equivilant in 2009 is about $12,600)

Yukon - 36' Cruising Yacht

Built by Tom Schmidt - I’m building the Yukon, stretched to 40 feet and a raised pilot house added, and have completed around 90% of the construction. I mostly have interior work left to do. At this point I have approximately $100,000.00 invested in actual construction costs. This includes twin Perkins diesels with all the instrumentation and most of the electrical components. I bought two Perkins core engines and built them up from bare blocks, and then I modified them by putting a Bowman marine conversion kit on each engine. The total cost for each engine was right at $7,000.00 complete. The engine room is complete. I estimate another $15,000.00 will finish the boat and cover moving and launching expenses. Electronics will be extra although I already have some of them bought. Tom Schmidt - Frostproof, FL

Zip - 14' Classic Runabout

Built by Rolando Perez - As per my expense log, here's the hull cost for the Zip "Pawprint" that I built. All the materials were sourced locally except for the plans and the bronze boat nails. Hull cost includes plans & patterns, plywood, lumber, fastenings, epoxy & fiberglass external sheathing, paint and consumables. Excluded are trailer, motor, deck hardware and steering & control systems.

In 2005-2006 Philippine Pesos: PhP 24,863.60.

At current 2009 prices with inflation factored in, it would be about PhP 29,836.32 (equivalent to US $623.15 at the current exchange rate). Rolando Perez - Philippines

Built by David Brown - Built the Zip using mahogany and 5 ply okume 8 x 12 sheets, Glen-L epoxy and fiber glass. I remember the total cost including the jig and all screws, etc., was $945.00. This was in 1988......if i remember. David Brown - Meridian, ID

Built by Robert Pinske - $2700 Canadian--doesn't include the motor. Took 350 hours to build. Robert Pinske - Canada

Built by Pierre Gadbois - Took 500 hours of work over a six month period. Pierre Gadbois - Westbank, BC, Canada

Built by Todd Broadlich - Total (2009): $11,500 (includes motor & trailer)

Built by Shane Dickinson - the total cost for my zip build was $9000 (Canadian) with motor and new trailer, in total I spent 7-8 months working time. Shane Dickinson - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Glen-L Marine Designs

9152 Rosecrans Ave.

Bellflower, CA 90706

www.Glen-L.com

562-630-6258