Case Study:
Andre- Blue Dog Boats
Certified Boat Builder
- Andre has experience in commercial and recreational builds. With 3 years experience and 35+ CNC kits built.
- Within his business Andre’s biggest challenges are planning, scheduling, and lead times, not welding.
- Booking early is essential – slots fill months in advance; missing a deposit can push project to next year.
- Hot works generally take 6-8 weeks, depending on the size of the vessel.
- Fit-out (glass, flooring, finishing, trim): allow an additional 4-6 weeks.
- Long-lead items (engines, glass, trailers, torsion suspension) must be ordered at the correct stage, as they often have longer lead times.
- Modified designs may take slightly longer in design, but build time is generally unaffected by design changes.
- For first time builders experienced support is valuable: Trades, fabrication skills, or certified builder guidance
Getting Started with a Blue Dog Build:
- Andre has Limited build slots later in the year (August): early booking recommended.
- Fully completed builds: allow 4 months, which can extend if waiting on trades.
- $5,000 deposit secures the design process; no second deposit needed for CNC Marine to work on your project.
- Current workshop schedule: Andre will be working on smaller models early in the year, and some larger projects around 8m and 12m builds towards the end of the year.
- Andre’s advise: Make decisions early, communicate changes promptly, and respect realistic timelines.
Want the full story?
CNC Marine Podcast – Episode 19: Inside a Custom Build: Real Stories, Real Timelines, Real Boats.
In this episode, we sit down with Andre and other builders to get the real facts about building a boat. We cover timelines, how to get started, the step-by-step process, and what you need to know before beginning your build. Whether you’re just considering it or already planning your project, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get started the right way.