IF life knocks you down, you could always build a ship to help you navigate the rough waters.

Chronic fatigue sufferer Graeme Wylie, 53, spent two years in bed dreaming of one day building a boat.

The first day he felt well enough, he went straight to the shed in his backyard and started the project.

He researched 15th century ships and decided he had the tools and skills to build a caravel.

"I needed to do it, otherwise I would have spent the rest of my life wondering," he said.

So far it has cost about $25,000, but the real costs will be in launching.

He will have to truck it from his Bushfield property near Warrnambool to Port Fairy, where the boat will be moored.

He will also have to hire a crane to lift the boat into the water.

Mr Wylie, a furniture maker, said he could not put a cost on achieving a dream.

To hit the high seas, the caravel will need a crew of up to four. It has been designed to take 10 guests. It is expected the ship will be launched early in February.