Hello everyone!
I'm really touched that you all took the time and effort to respond and chip in with useful insights, tips, links etc.
Bernd suggested the eco 7.5 and the more I look at it the more in love I fall with it. From the side it kind of reminds me of the fancy speedboat/yachts I used to see in Italy on holidays as a child, and from the front it looks like it's coming for you. Yet inside it has just the accommodations I was looking for, plus the load capacity is almost exactly what I was hoping for as a (semi-) liveaboard. My local geography consists of three decent sized lakes and the famed IJsselmeer connected by not too huge waterways (eyeballed at about 15 meters ish wide). After looking at the study plans for the eco 7.5 it looks like it will just fit the bill in really getting the most out of the lakes and being able to ferry along the waterways between them quite nicely. Plus, with a boat that quick and seaworthy, a lot of distance could be covered when I have more time during the holidays.
I live in the heart of tulip country so will see if I know anyone who knows anyone with a corner in their barn that I could use (thanks for the tip Philip). Thanks Mick and Jack for the links, they definitely helped. The advice about the build location being as close to home as possible was something I'd not taken so seriously but on further thought I can totally see the point and will be making sure I find somewhere close by (or move house to a disused farm ?). With regards the time and cost to build I think I just have to admit that it will take as long as it takes and keep committing time, money and effort while enjoying the process (the whole reason I want to build is because I love the way long physical projects come together piece by piece and at the end of every day you can point to something and say "I did that". When the whole this is done you can see every hour of toil you poured into it to the point where it almost feels like an extension of you.... at least I'm assuming boatbuilding is the same).
Toolwise I'm looking forward to investing in a high powered staple gun (for the plastic staples), and an electric planer. Anyone got any recommendations?
anyway, after keeping it short once more ( I bet I'm singlehandedly making the moderators consider a 140 character limit ?... sorry about that), thanks once again for all the input and encouragement. It is most appreciated.
All the best,
Zachary.
ps: Bryan you're a bad influence... I LIKE IT ??
