Small custom boat builder

Private boat owners, fishers, sailing and rowing clubs, and small commercial operators such as tour or fishing guides.

A quoted price per boat covering materials, labour and fit-out, often paid in stages, plus extras like trailers, seating and storage.

• Fabrication, fibreglass or woodworking
• Reading plans and measuring accurately
• Quoting jobs and managing customer expectations

• Check Australian Builders Plate and hull identification number rules for boats you build for sale
• Boats for commercial use may need survey and approval, so check with your state marine authority and AMSA
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Resin fumes, dust and welding hazards, so check workplace health and safety requirements and ventilation
• Check council zoning and approvals for the workshop, as rules differ by area

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your workshop, tools, materials and the type of boats you build. Check council zoning and approvals for the workshop, as rules differ by area.

Things to check: Australian Builders Plate and hull identification number rules for boats you sell, and whether commercial-use boats need survey and approval from your state marine authority and AMSA. Also check workplace health and safety rules for resin fumes, dust and welding.

Useful skills include fabrication, fibreglass or woodworking, reading plans, measuring accurately and quoting jobs. Estimates suggest at least around 25 hours a week, and monthly revenue typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the boats you build.