When South Australian builder Daniel rolled a CNC Marine kit into his shed, he wasn’t just starting another DIY project — he was starting an epic journey. His boat of choice? The 6520HTO Hardtop Offshore, one of our most popular designs for serious offshore fishing and family adventure.
The best part? Daniel has been documenting the process daily, giving a front-row seat to what it’s really like to build a CNC Marine kit boat at home.
From the first day pulling frames off the pallet to seeing the hardtop take shape, his updates show the highs, the challenges, and the satisfaction of steady progress. No shortcuts, no polish — just the real deal of building a plate boat in your own shed.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could take on a kit boat project, Daniel’s story is living proof that it’s possible. And with the right planning, the right space, and the right guidance, the result is a vessel that rivals (and generally outperforms) factory-built boats.
Why the 6520HTO?
The 6520 Hardtop Offshore is a sweet spot in our range — big enough for serious bluewater trips, but still towable and manageable for home builders. It’s designed to balance toughness, comfort, and performance in rough conditions.
Here are the key specs:
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CNC Length: 6.52 m (21.4 ft)
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Overall Length: 7.22 m (23.7 ft)
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Beam Width: 2.45 m (8.0 ft)
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Overall Height: 2.70 m (8.9 ft)
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Hotworks Weight: 1,320 kg (2,910 lbs)
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Max Full Load Displacement: 2,380 kg (5,247 lbs)
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Tow Weight: 1,620 kg (3,571 lbs) (excluding trailer & gear)
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Mass of Boat & Fixed Fuel (excl. engine): 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs)
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Max Persons: 7 pax – 560 kg (1,235 lbs)
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Max Engine: 225 HP – 300 kg (661 lbs)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 275 L (72.6 Gal)
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Thickness: Bottom 6 mm / Sides 4 mm / Floor 4 mm / Transom 6 mm
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Leg Length: 25 in
The Builder’s Journey
Daniel’s 6520HTO build isn’t just about welding metal — it’s about bringing a dream to life. He’s showing exactly what goes into a kit boat build:
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Setting up your space and pull frames
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Tack welding and checking alignment
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Pulling the hull together step by step
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Working through fit-out choices and systems
Every update shows the steady transformation from flat sheets into a serious offshore rig.
Thinking About Your Own Build?
If Daniel’s story inspires you, you’re not alone. Hundreds of builders across Australia and beyond have taken on CNC Marine kits and ended up with custom plate boats built with their own hands.