:
: How does the cost compare between a complete kit, and buying
: supplies in the amounts for just one boat. I live in the LA
: area,

: Thoughts are welcome. One of my consideration is the cost of
: shipping and buying more tools. (Love tools,but they do cost
: money

Ok, I'll share based on my own experience.....

My first build was a strip boat from a Redfish kit and I spent in the ballpark of $1,500 for it. It included everything but the seat and varnish. I received strips, forms, fiberglass, epoxy, rigging, shipping box to use as a strong back and instructions. I built a great looking boat from all this gear Redfish supplied and am still very happy with the decision to build my first strip boat from a kit. I had to buy some tools including a block plane , Japanese saw, a random orbital sander and sandpaper. I figure I've got $1,800 in my first boat counting the tools I bought.

For my second strip boat, I bought the lumber locally and cut my own strips since I already owned a tablesaw. I purchased fiberglass and epoxy from various suppliers. I also bought another Redfish seat as I really liked the first one. I bought foot braces and rigging items from local suppliers. I spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 for everything. I paid a premium for really nice 18' western red cedar planks so some costs might be saved here. I also waste a lot of epoxy and had to buy some extra so probably poured $50 worth in the trash. I also already own lots of woodworking tools that occasionally were used but if you don't have them, you could improvise. Nothing like a bandsaw and a nice router table foe some items but you can certainly get by without. One cost you need to add will be for plans and they range from about $100-$150 depending on what design you build.

I think you should be able to build one of the popular designs for somewhere between $600-800 which should save you a fair amount over a kit. I thin the big cost in the kits is the milled lumber, forms and cost to ship these bulky & heavy items.

Just my thoughts. And, I plan to build more boats from plans...

Bob Beaullieu