I’m sure you’ve seen some impressive backyard builds. DIY projects from man caves to impressive patios. Well this has to be one of the largest backyard builds I’ve ever seen. There were no boats for sale that would give him exactly what he wanted. Rather than contract a boat builder to construct his dream sail boat, he decided to take things into his own hands with the help of his wife. Take a look at this incredible backyard build.
He first built a level platform so he could get the measurements absolutely perfect. There was no room for error with this project.
With jigs made and measurements taken, the framing of the vessel was underway.
This required endless days and nights of TIG welding.
With a ribcage of frames in place, the front aluminum bulkhead was constructed.
Next for structural integrity, the stringers were installed.
The aluminum sheeting started to cover the hull and the keel.
Here is the entire hull of the enormous boat which has been fully plated.
He had to hire a crane to flip the boat right side up.
Time for the interior work. And a lot of it!
The cockpit and hard dodger were installed exactly as he wanted them.
Along with the decking, windows and hatches.
Extra support was added for the main winches.
After the bow was complete, the rudder was installed.
Exhaust ports were cut in and welded.
He made a custom Bimini cover to keep dry in bad weather as well as cool on a hot sunny day.
With railings installed the hull was complete!
It was time to take the boat out of the backyard to finish.
Crane operators had to figure out the safest way to place this huge project onto a trailer without harming the countless hours of work.
Here you can start to see the scale of the boat… Did I say boat, I meant HUGE BOAT!
The local media was so impressed with this build they did a story on it.
Transporting the huge sail boat was not easy through the neighborhood streets.
Definitely an over sized load. They traveled from Barrie to Midland, Canada.
Once in a better location for the mechanical and finish work, they ordered the engine and lowered it down through the cockpit floor.
He had a custom engine tray made for the Volvo engine.
Which fit perfectly.
The intake, wiring and pumps were all installed.
Along with a healthy fuel tank.
With the fuel tank installed, next came the hard part!
Because the boat was so light, being made of aluminum, they had to add 15,000 lbs. of lead ballast!
This meant hauling 7.5 tons of lead into the hull of the boat to be melted and poured accordingly.
They had to create a make shift lead melting plant inside the boat.
There you have it, 7.5 tons of lead!
A job well done!
Next came the primer and epoxy.
As well as hydraulic steering for rough seas.
With the mechanical aspect pretty much covered, the interior finish work was next.
All done in beautiful cherry wood.
Which is incredibly dense and resilient to the sea.
The entire interior was made at home, including the custom fiberglass fridge below.
As you can see their home was literally a workshop for a while.
Including the storm sail. Made right in their living room.
This will eventually be the stateroom.
Complete with a walk in closet and dresser drawers.
It was time for the interior state-room to start feeling a little more like a state-room.
Here is the kitchen/galley.
The bathroom before finish work.
With fiberglass and laminate, the head was complete.
Sleeping areas.
Leading to more sleeping areas.
Including these collapsible bunks.
With safety tarps for rough seas.
With the interior complete, the backyard boat was finally ready to touch water. He wanted to leave the unfinished look on the outside because the aluminum looked amazing in the sunlight.
She floats!!
And it looks amazing in the water!
What a phenomenal backyard boat build. He must be incredibly talented to have constructed such a beautiful sail boat with his hands. I can only imagine sailing this out in the ocean with a perfect salty breeze blowing across my face as I steer into the sunset heading to the next tropical paradise.