Custom small boat builder

Cottage owners, anglers, paddling and sailing clubs, outfitters and small commercial operators such as guides and fishing lodges.

A quoted price per boat covering materials, labour and fitting out. Deposits at order stage fund materials, with extras like trailers, oars or custom finishes added on top.

• Woodworking, welding or composite skills
• Reading boat plans and measuring accurately
• Quoting jobs and managing customer expectations

• Transport Canada rules for building boats for sale, including safety standards and builder identification, so check what applies to your boat size and type
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, as a faulty boat is a serious risk
• Fumes, dust and fire risk from resins, paints and welding, so check ventilation, WHMIS training and your provincial workplace safety rules
• Long build times mean slow cash flow, so take deposits and plan for the off-season
• Home workshops may need a home-based business licence or may not be allowed, so check with your municipality

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your workshop, tools and the type of boats you build. Long build times mean slow cash flow, so consider taking deposits.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the boats you build, build time and how many orders you take. Plan for the off-season, as cash flow can be slow.

Check Transport Canada rules for building boats for sale, including safety standards and builder identification for your boat type. Also check liability insurance, WHMIS and provincial workplace safety rules, and whether your municipality allows a home workshop.