Pricing...

The Skinny

I'm finally at a point where I can speak intelligently about pricing...I'm sure there is a good reason why some carvers charge by the inch (scaled) or foot (reality), but I can't think of one. I determine a price by anticipating the hours, materials, and effort.

That said, most hulls will range from $300 to $800...there is potential for more in either direction, but those would be exceptions. 

The Less than Skinny

To get an accurate price simply email me and let me know what you want carved...I will likely ask you numerous questions, and then quote a price.

This price IS NOT an estimate...as long as the client's requirements don't change, the price is locked in. If I have under quoted, that is MY PROBLEM, and I'll learn from it.

I will also give you a time frame...this is an estimate, but I make every effort to be on time.

Any questions email me at djmfaulkner@cogeco.ca or call me at 705 474 6472

I always have time to talk to customers!!

Gatekeeper Carving...our staff is smarter than they look!!

Business opportunity,,,franchises available

All the really good ideas are gone!!

Van Diemen III

Van Diemen III...custom built 64'er ... now also a custom carved 32 inch-er.

This hull broke every record I have for time consumed, blood shed and sleep lost...and every second and drop of blood was worth it. 

Great client. Beautiful boat....what more could a humble little carver want!!

Some thanks to...

To do hulls accurately I need hull lines...there are no more accurate lines than those from the designers themselves.

Thanks to J-Boats, Pacific Sail Craft, Farr and R. Perry Yacht Design for helping me do my job better.

Old school Mirage drawings from RH Perry Yachts

Lines in PDF from Farr Yacht Design

Today is paperwork day...yuk.

A few more pics...

This handsome Douglas 31 was once the pride and joy of my client...while they parted company he gave me the opportunity to carve a memory for him

The crisp looking Hanse 405 leaves for Portugal soon...thanks to Hugo for his (International) faith in me

My nice tidy work area is starting to look "experienced"...thanks to all of you who helped make it this way with commissions.

I am carving another of Bob's designs now...

Bob did several designs for Dick Steffan at Mirage yachts. I am fortunate enough to own a Mirage 33. This is the little sister.

Not so pretty yet

Laying out the sheer (toe rail)...this has to be perfect or the whole look is ruined...no shortcuts here

Note the sharp edges of the bow and sheer...Bob is relentless

Still needs stripes, but it coming together.

An honor

I had the honor of carving this burgee to memorialize Bob Perry's son Spike who passed away...I can honestly say I wish I there was never a need to do this, but if someone was to do it, I'm glad it was me Bob asked.

The real burgee has circled the globe gathering signatures from Bob's friends and fans alike...and will soon return to Bob and Jill's home. If we could see what that burgee has seen....

Bob has been my mentor through every hull I have carved, and as you can see he knows good from bad. He has a wonderful collection that I had the good fortune to see in person last February.

I have 3 pieces and a hockey puck in Bob's collection. One in the VERY important bathroom display area where it receives frequent scrutiny.



Thanks Bob

It's been awhile...

Sorry I've neglected my blog, but with hauling out gatekeeper and putting her to bed for winter, it's been busy of late...as you can see above a small fleet has been finished this week.

Nice hulls, good clients...it doesn't get better than this.

A departure...3D burgees

On a lark I decides to use up some leftover material and carve a 3D burgee for the door of our clubhouse...then I was honored with a request to carve another for a good friend.

More later...

GK Hull Models expands staff...

If you can't win a trophy....carve one.

This small hull is on it's way to being a trophy for the race I put on at our club each Summer...it was once called the 30+ Race, but in memory of a longtime member and gentleman who recently passed, it is now the Mike O'Shea Memorial Sprint.

The hull is a fine little CS22 "Can Doo"...Mike and Linda's first boat many years ago.

Fair winds Mike.

Winter prep....

Summer is wrapping up...time to get the snow removal equipment ready for Winter!!

Three new launches...

After a busy summer of balancing retirement, carving, cruising and racing, I actually managed to put out a few more hulls...I'm proud of these and with each hull I am refining my technique.

Three boats for three great clients

Hotfoot 20...trailer sailer

This hull looks fast hanging on the wall. I took me 3 backboards to get the right look...and now it looks "right"

It should be in Western Canada by week's end.

PSC34...a model of Hull #1

Very cool to be allowed to carve this landmark boat.

I love the sheer

Look for the real thing in Toronto.

Bertram 20...my first powerboat

This boat took the largest investment of time I have ever spent on one hull, but the client is a great customer and this completes his set of 3 hulls I have carved for him.

Time and effort well spent...repeat clients are the ultimate compliment & are entitled to any effort I have to make.

These two already reside in Connecticut. All the boards are the same size and finish...this client has a really good eye for scale and display.

Accolades continue to pour in ;)


"Gatekeeper is a genius"


                                      RH Perry


(I may be paraphrasing)

After a few hectic weeks I'm back to reducing cedar trees to piles of dust...and sneezing...a lot.

I have just finished "re-fitting" one of my earliest hulls. It was a gift to one of my crewman, but as my skills evolved I could see more and more flaws in it. So I begged it back and improved it a bit.

before

after

the real thing...we just finished painting her

our helpful staff are eagerly awaiting your call

PSC34...a lot of boat!!

This is my first true, traditional, double ender...a Creelock designed PSC34.

The very nice people at Pacific Sea Craft provided us with lines (thankfully) as this hull is complex and has to be right. Any error will stand out and drive my client nuts.

Here are some pics as it enters the ugly stage of building.../

   

Hotfoot 20 pics...in progress

The Hotfoot has a fairly simple hull form so I attempted to carve it without builders lines...it's been a struggle but the owner assures me I'm on the right track.

I love happy owners :)