Next message: Bryan Genez: "Re: [world-cruising] Coring and delamination"
I wrote about the pros and cons of steel versus fiberglass construction. In
my own situation, there is no chance that I would buy a steel boat. I was
trying to present some design factors for the group's consideration in a
un-biased manner (hard to do since I have a bias for fiberglass). Since
everything I wrote was my opinion, I will stand by it unless someone
convinces me otherwise. I am happy to see that something has stimulated
discussion on this otherwise very quiet list!
A good friend had a new trawler constructed (85 feet). He went in with
plans to build a steel boat and came back with an aluminum boat. I think
that is the way modern professional yacht construction is tending. However,
I don't know much about aluminum so I left outlining the pros and cons of
that metal to some other member. Clearly aluminum construction has many
benefits.
If your requirement is to build a boat to survive a grounding, anchor
dragging, collision, beaching, etc. it can certainly be done in steel,
fiberglass, or aluminum. Perhaps even wood. (Wouldn't it be great to build
a boat out of 316 stainless!) But there are so many other ways to prevent
or mitigate those terrible accidents.
My objective is to buy a good quality, used, blue water cruising boat and
outfit it for a 5 year voyage San Diego to Europe for 2 people (occasionally
4). Purchase for $50K and outfit for $25K. Seaworthiness is my primary
requirement - not bouncing off my navigational mistakes (even though I know
I'm going to make some). I will accept the inherent risks and know that the
boat may be lost. Lives may be lost. I will take full responsibility for
this and prepare for all eventualities that I can in advance. This is on
the low end of $ but if I buy more boat I will not have enough $ to cruise
anywhere.
No matter what your requirements (with exception of cruising near the
iceberg line) and budget I think you can meet your requirements and get more
boat for your money by purchase of a 10 to 15 year old proven production
fiberglass vessel.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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