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Subject: Re: [world-cruising] Steel Versus Fiberglass
From: AlaskaTrawler (AlaskaTrawler@XXX.XXX)
Date: Tue Jun 24 2003 - 16:32:32 EDT
Dear AlaskaTrawler...what a beautiful boat...will you be agreeable to doing
an interview with world cruising for a stipend of $50k. Our readers would
be very interested in your project. Sincerely, Birdie Bird
----- Original Message -----
From: "AlaskaTrawler" <AlaskaTrawler@XXX.XXX>
To: <world-cruising@XXX.XXX>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:19 PM
Subject: [world-cruising] Steel Versus Fiberglass
> While reading the May world Cruising Archives I read with interest the
thread "Steel Versus Fiberglass"
> I currently am building a steel vessel and feel I know a bit about the
issue. Steel can be a great building material for boats providing one
understands how to protect it from corrosion.
> The first step in corrosion prevention comes from doing a very detailed
sandblast job especially in the bilge areas. A blast to white metal is
needed.
> Then an immediate follow up with Devoe 235 bar rust. After this is done
all seams beneath the hull stringers are sealed with a polyurethane sealant
like sika flex. This seals the seams off from moisture penetration and
future rust bloom under the stringers.
> After this is done two more coats of high build epoxy primer are layed
down. Following this step 3" of 3lb spray on foam is applied to the complete
inside of the vessel. This bonds very tenaciously to the steel and forms a
very effective barrier to prevent condensation.
> Yes I know foam gives of fumes when it burns but so does fiberglass. The
thing you want to do is make sure you do all your cutting prior to the foam
application otherwise you run the risk of catching the foam on fire which
can have disastrous consequences.
> After the foam has cured.. the bilge (and foam) is covered with a layer of
concrete to act as ballast and to fill in any remaining low spots where
water can collect.
> I don't have anything against Fiberglass vessels and my choice of material
to build with was based upon my knowledge of working with metal. To me
fiberglass "one-off "boats are very expensive to build.
> When production fiberglass vessels are built the cost of the mold is
spread out over numerous vessels.
> As to the issue of strength of Fiberglass versus Steel, there is no doubt
in my mind that steel is stronger or at least more resiliant to puncture. it
usually dents before holing as it can stretch. Besides if I hit a rock and
happen to puncture the hull I have the foam and conscrete over the steel to
slow any incoming water down for the bilge pump to handle it. Bilge pump
rated at 400gpm.
> The issue of the weight of steel for a sailing vessel I can't relate to as
the vessel I am building is a 52 foot steel long range trawler.
> I have looked at many vessels from europe built of steel and many of them
are flawless. It seems that here in this country steel has gotten a bad rap
from the many backyard boat projects that have been done using steel as the
building material. Although this is unfortuate it does not mean all steel
vessels are branded as "rust buckets".
> If you are interested in a vessel built of steel please check out my
website www.alaskatrawler.com. I have not brought it up to date for some
time as I have been to busy building the boat.
>
> Regards
> Dan Walsh
> Building "MV Spirit Of Balto"
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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