Karin,
I will probably build a pole barn first, maybe splitting the cost and space with my S-I-L...I need around 1,000 sq ft for the boat shop, nearly the same for a wood shop, and space to work on my Jeeps.
It seems difficult to get the balance just right, plenty of time, short on funds, or plenty of cash and no free time. One's just as bad as the other.
Build myself? Uhmmm, my wife and I built our first house by ourselves, starting before we were married and just 20 years old. Since then, I have been building and remodeling (for us, and as a sideline) ever since. Currently, we have 19 rental properties that we own and maintian ourselves...I think I've had enough building, I don't mind to help the economy and some local contractors.
I've seen photos of your work, I'm pretty sure you could make a go of boat building and repair. As for me, building is what I do, be it boats, houses, businesses, familiy, marriage, cars...I just need to build. Whether I can turn my need to build boats into another income producing venture will remain to be seen. I have been in contact with some outfitters in the Adirondacks about them offering my boats as part of their rental fleet. A couple of the proprieters are quite interested, it would be win-win for all parties. I really like those passive income sources...