Finding a build site

 One of the most unexpectedly difficult steps in this whole journey has been finding a place to actually build the boat. At first, I assumed it would be a matter of simply renting a garage or a small warehouse—something with enough space to work comfortably. But reality hit hard. In Portugal, we’re in the middle of a severe housing crisis, and the ripple effect is felt even in the rental market for industrial spaces. Anything remotely suitable was either outrageously expensive or completely unavailable. After weeks of searching and hitting dead ends, I honestly began to fear that I’d have to give up on the whole project before it even got off the ground.

As a last resort, I decided to reach out to a boat yard not far from where I live. I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask if they had any spare space. At first, the owner politely said no—he explained that he gets a lot of similar requests from enthusiastic people who dream of building a boat, but most of them never follow through, and space is always tight. But something must have changed after we talked more. Maybe it was clear I was serious about seeing this through. After a bit of time, he finally agreed to let me build my boat there.

Looking back, I can confidently say that building in a boat yard is the best possible option. Not only do I have the space I need, but I’m also surrounded by skilled, experienced people who know boats inside and out. There are proper tools and machines for cutting wood, and the yard is even helping me source some of the materials I need. It’s a completely different atmosphere compared to being holed up in a garage alone.

The boat yard itself is a fascinating place. It's steeped in local maritime history—they’re still building traditional wooden boats of the kind that once filled the Tagus River. It's incredible to think that my modern ocean-going yacht will be taking shape alongside these historic vessels. There's a real sense of continuity and heritage in the air, and I'm proud that my boat will be born in such a place.

The location is another bonus—just 15 minutes from my home, which means I can work regularly without losing too much time commuting.

It was a tough and stressful process, but I’m finally at a point where I have a proper space to begin building. Right now, I’m focused on buying the first materials and waiting for the plywood to arrive. Soon, the real hands-on work will begin—and I can’t wait.