Thread: How to build a boat and get it registered

There's more, and rather than re-type it all, i'll simply show what i emailed the applicable minister for ports. Anyone with any legal-ish knowledge (any knowledge, really) care to chime in?

Hi,
I have a question regarding australian builders plate regulations for an owner builder recreation boat:
I'm in the process of building a small boat for my daughter, it will hopefully look like the below picture:

Now i've called NSW Maritime and they tell me it'll need an Australian Builders Plate (ABP) from a naval architect to get the boat registered.
Naval architects do not want to look at a boat of this tiny size, or if i could find one, they would want an exorbitant fee ($1000+).
However, i've been looking at the legislation here:
NSW legislation website
And i seem to get the impression that the ABP is only required when the boat is for sale or sold, as per the quotes with my highlights below:

'45 Vessel **for sale** required to have builders plate'

'51 Vessel may not be registered without builders plate
The Maritime Authority may refuse to register for the first time a vessel to which a builders plate is required to be fixed under this Part **when sold** in New South Wales'

Am i correct in saying that the ABP is only required for vessels being sold, and that as an owner builder i'm not selling it to anyone therefore wouldn't require an ABP?

I'd hate to spend a year building this and then not be able to register it

Thanks a lot for your help

Looks like queenslanders dont need ABP's for owner-builder boats!!!

"32. I am an owner-builder am I required to affix an ABP?
Yes if they intend to sell the boat at any stage.
An ABP is required to be affixed to owner-builder boats if the boat is put up for sale. An ABP is not
required while the boat continues to be owned by the owner-builder."

http://msq.qld.gov.au/~/media/msqfil...s_builders.pdf

Still, i'm in NSW. Fingers crossed it's similar here!

Hi Chubs,

I'm stoked to have found someone in a similar situation to me. I recently bought the Stiletto plans from Glen L and have been trying to figure out whats needed for the ABP. I'm in WA so it might be a bit different over here but the 2 major hang ups that I've found are altering the plans to ensure I can meet the buoyancy requirements and finding a legal entity to sign off on the build. Any boat with a motor (except a tender) has to be registered and to get your boat registered you need an ABP.
Glen L pretty much supplies the rest.

To comply with the buoyancy I'm going to use foam. I've looked into liquid foam and sheet foam and decided to go with the sheets as I've heard that the liquid foam can get water logged. It should be pretty easy to cut the sheets up and put them in any available cavity! (above the bilge)

Hopefully someone will be able to point us in a different direction than the Naval Architect as I'm not super keen to pay $1000 at the end of the build either!!!

Not that I can offer any help, other than to comment that you fellows have more red tape than we do here in California. That is quite an accomplishment

Chubs,as I understand it in NSW,if you put more than 5hp on the back or if she can exceed,from memory,10 knots,then registration and hence the ABP is necessary.You could try ringing this mob to see if there's an easy way to do it,
:: National Marine Safety Committee ::: Recreational Boating ::

Frankly,this crap is the reason I would now only build a powerboat design that came with the ABP compliance,such as our own Mark Bowditch supplies with his plans,and would not bother with a designer not prepared to offer it.Let us know how you go,I think this is probably still an untested grey area for home builders, but public servants being what they are,be prepared for a long chase.
Cheers,
Dave.

Originally Posted by Rick_Tatum

Not that I can offer any help, other than to comment that you fellows have more red tape than we do here in California. That is quite an accomplishment

Don't get me started. In just the last 6 months:

I'm regulated as to window tinting. I'm not allowed to put window tint on my car that is as dark as what toyota is allowed to sell on a brand new car. And what i *am* allowed to put on, isn't really very dark and doesn't blot out bugger all of our harsh australian sun!

Because it had once been crashed, it cost me $500 to get a govt agency to inspect my motorbike prior to getting it registered. That is on top of the normal ~$1000 for insurance and registration fees.

You can't even go fishing in this nanny state without a fishing license!

They recently changed all our red-light cameras to speeding cameras, and then decided they're not going to signpost them as such, so everyone is getting fines at the moment!

... and i can't build a small boat for my own enjoyment without some bureaucrats getting involved

I hate our government with a passion. OK you've gotten me started!!! Can someone recommend a political party that would suit my need for a NON nanny state???

Originally Posted by Dave Brewer

Frankly,this crap is the reason I would now only build a powerboat design that came with the ABP compliance,such as our own Mark Bowditch supplies with his plans,and would not bother with a designer not prepared to offer it.Let us know how you go,I think this is probably still an untested grey area for home builders, but public servants being what they are,be prepared for a long chase.
Cheers,
Dave.

Yeah i've been in touch with Mark Bowdidge, he's been very kind to give me his time and advice. I'd totally go for an ABP compliant design, but he seems to be the only person selling them, and his are all fishing boats (i'm more of a speedboat guy). If anyone knows where i can get ABP compliant speedboat designs, let me know!

Originally Posted by TimTeach

I'm stoked to have found someone in a similar situation to me. I recently bought the Stiletto plans from Glen L and have been trying to figure out whats needed for the ABP. I'm in WA so it might be a bit different over here but the 2 major hang ups that I've found are altering the plans to ensure I can meet the buoyancy requirements and finding a legal entity to sign off on the build. Any boat with a motor (except a tender) has to be registered and to get your boat registered you need an ABP.
Glen L pretty much supplies the rest.

Hi Tim,
I'm also stoked to see someone in the same situation. I don't know what your legislation is like. It's probably similar. I think NSW may be the only state where you cannot come up with your own ABP as an owner builder, other states you can make your own or QLD i *think* you don't need one. I think it's basically just some rudimentary maths that you need to apply to get the maximum capacity etc, and put in the floatation, and you're good. But yeah, it's a big pain.

Here's a crazy idea: I'm considering putting hydrofoils on the front of my boat, because then it wouldn't need an ABP at all, as hydrofoils are exempt!

Can someone recommend a political party that would suit my need for a NON nanny state???

The Anarchist party.

I've taken the following from the Boat builder's ABP information website

'As a guide, a competent person would have acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, the knowledge and skills to competently determine and approve the information on an ABP.'

Would the 'experience' of building your first boat allow you to aquire these skills? I'm not so sure but I think thats what I'll be saying when I go to register my boat.

Anyway at the rate I've been going it'll be years before I need to worry about registering it anyway!! hahaha

Originally Posted by TimTeach

I've taken the following from the Boat builder's ABP information website

In WA, I think you'll be fine mate! I quote that link: "Generally, the vessel’s builder or importer is considered to be a competent person to appear as the approving person on the ABP"

As for the anarchy party, maybe not, but the LDP is looking good.

And as for your years to finish, i personally think the building is more fun than using the boat, so that suits me just fine!

Also tim, from the glen-l forums:

Glen-L.com • View topic - Want to build an 8' Pee Wee in Australia
Glen-L.com • View topic - New Boat Registrations Aust.

Cheers for those links, those pool noodles have given me something to think about to make sure the buoyancy is met!!

The ABP certainly won't be stopping my build and when it comes down to it I don't think it will be too much of a problem. I had a look at the forms needed to register a new boat and they look pretty easy to satisfy.

Now to find a way to build a ski boat in an apartment!

If anyone knows where i can get ABP compliant speedboat designs, let me know![/QUOTE]
You could give David Payne in Mosman a ring and ask about the ABP--he has a very very nice 5m clinker inboard speedboat plan but his website seems to be playing silly buggers so I can't find the number.I tell a lie-here it is on my Yellowtail plans:0299681563
Good luck,
Dave.