Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

[Rhino88]

I am looking at manufacturing a small recreation boat like a kayak. It would be about 5 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide. It would be in two parts, top and bottom, and then riveted together. It think it would way about 90 pounds and made with hand layed figerglass.

My question is how much would the material cost be? for the fiberglass? for the resin? for the gelcoat? etc? And, about how many manhours would it take to make the two halves.

Thanks for any help

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

I would Think that,...
That would depend on How Well you can negotiate with your Suppliers,.....
And,.......
How Fast you can Hustle.........

Have you built the Molds yet,..??......

 

[Rhino88]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

No, I have not yet built the molds. I am trying to figure out if the idea makes any sense or not. So if have can buy resin and glass like a typical boat builder in Florida, how much are the materials going to cost to make a 90 pound hull? I'm not looking for an exact number. Is it $2/lb? $5/lb? or more like $10/lb? Is it 8 manhours or 40 manhours?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

90 lbs for boat that small is a bit heavy, you should be able to cut that number at least in half easily. Figure on about 3.50 to 4.00 per pound for materials if you buy in large enough amounts to get a discount, more if you only make a few of them. Man hours are tough to estimate without looking at the molds, but around 5 hours per half should be close.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

i think you better build a protype, and just see if it floats first. how's it going to be powered, paddle, elect troller, where's the battery going. a boat that small has to be extremely well engineered and balanced. what the weight capacity. i have a 10 foot BASS BUG, injection molded out of the same stuff coffee can lids are made of. never mentioned it before, because i don't consider it a boat.

 

[Rhino88]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

Thanks for the help guys. I think it is best described as a small stand-up jet ski. The weight might be closer to 70 pounds. There would be an inboard engine it it and the total weight with engine, driveline, and gas would be about 350 pounds.

Hey ondarvr, I assume the $4.00 per pound is total for resin and glass, right? So the total material cost would be about $300 per boat for a boat builder with good buying power.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

A stand up jet ski is a little different than a kayak and will weigh more, but the cost per lb will be about the same. If you use a foam core for added strength the cost per lb will go up.

Yes, the cost per lb should cover glass, resin (polyester), gel coat and a small amount of waste, but there are other costs involved in building the boat, so don't base the cost of it on just these numbers.

 

[Rhino88]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

What are the other direct (material) costs besides labor? Are they significant? If I am at about $300 of materials for resin, gel coat, and glass, will the other cost be $100 or so? foam and other materials?

Thanks for the help.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

Foam prices can vary depending on what type of foam it is and if it's being used for strength or floatation. There are things that get used up during prodction like gloves, acetone, brushes, floor paper, mold release, tape, then all the waste gets thrown out and that costs $$. These will vary depending on what type consrtuction methods are used. When using a chopper gun the cost of glass is less, but uniformity is not as good, so some parts will be heavier than others and the cost of mantaining the chopper gun needs to be added. If they're hand layed, then the thickness will be more uniform, but the glass will cost more, plus you can upgrade the type of glass and that means more $$. Sometimes when hand laying glass you end up cutting large sections of it off and throwing it out. If you upgrade the resin it can double in cost.

With a motor, you will now need mounts of some type, plus places to run wires, gauges and a fuel tank, all these cost more money.

Are you looking into making these yourself, or have somebody else make them for you?

 

[Terrulle]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

What about your time? What about shop costs?Even Building simple consoles or small parts (hatches,etc...) have very little profit margin unless you sell the heck out of them.What I mean is.....Will you be able to sell what you're building and cover expenses and a little profit as well to keep you going? If you are going to pull a couple and see how it goes OK but if you're planning on retiring be cautious. Get you're numbers and plan on paper first . Then decide what you want to do. There are alot of out of business boat builders out there.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

If you are serious about this your best bet is to go to work for a builder for six months or so to learn the trade. There are plenty to choose from in Florida - it would be a big help if you are a spanish speaker.

 

[Rhino88]

Re: Need help with fiberglass boat mfg economics

No guys, I won't be making this myself. I'm looking at having it made overseas and I am trying to get enough info to negotiate a price. I'll be providing the supplier with the hull to copy and placing an order for about 500 to 1000 units. I'm trying to figure out his economics. For the purposes of this anaylsis, his labor cost are almost zero. So the cost is all in the materials. I t seems like I should be able to buy these hulls for about $600 each, right?