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From: Phil Sherwood (no email)
Date: Fri Mar 04 2005 - 01:31:12 EST
Hm. When we get into the subject of hull materials we border on discussions
that approach religion in their zealotry.
I've never owned anything but fiberglass boats. That means nothing more
than that's the choice I think works best for me. I've sailed some aluminum
boats and seen some steel boats that were killer -- expertly designed and
built, and scrupulously maintained. Both materials have much to offer. But
as noted, nothing's perfect and there are tradeoffs the prospective owner
has to weigh out.
I agree about FC: as with steel boats, once made it's very tough to know
how it was made and with materials of what quality. A lot of FC boats were
crudely and ineptly put together, I'm told, regardless of outward
appearances. I'd be very leery of one unless I had built it or knew the
builder and what materials and techniques he used. Again, we're into
personal preferences. Mine is for fiberglass. My son has sailed a
plywood-and-epoxy boat thousands of open-ocean miles and loves it and can
present very compelling arguments why that is an excellent way to build a
hull. Composites -- carbon fiber, kevlar, et al., also open up a world of
possibilities.
As a rule, I think, non-fiberglass, non-composite hulls (FC, steel,
aluminum) don't really pay off until you get above 45 feet or so in length.
What I've heard about ferro-cement is that a lot of people did very
half-***ed jobs back when, going totally on the cheap, with the result that
now the cores are rusted and rotting and the cement is not integral.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. That said, I know of a cruiser who
participates on another list who has a lifetime of maritime experience
worldwide, built his own pretty large FC boat, and by all accounts (his and
numerous other cruisers who have been aboard) it is awesome, totally
bomber, has been going strong for quite a few years now, and will outlive
you and me and our children. Was he the exception? I don't know.
Ya just gots to research the technical stuff, learn where the tarpits are,
get experience, and make the best call for yourself. Cheers,
Phil
s/v Cynosure (Passport 40 #129)
lying Puerto Vallarta
At 02:34 PM 3/3/2005, you wrote:
>Phil wrote:<<I wouldn't rule out steel or
>aluminum (or right off the top even ferro-cement) >>>
>
>The above is a very small part of an excellent email with loads of great
>suggestions - especially the part about buying a boat, almost any boat, to
>gain hands-on experience - there's no better advice.
>
>About the comment above about ferro-cement - I see them for sale
>ocassionally and in the past I steered clear of them - but some sound
>*very* promising. I guess the fact that FC is unconvential most people
>are leary, me included.
>
>But is my caution appropriate? Is FC, if properly constructed (and I have
>NO idea what "properly constructed" means) a good alternative to FRP,
>wood, steel, alum, etc?
>
>What are the pros and cons? And I assume there are more "pros" than low cost?
>
>Sincerely,
>Larry T (27 Catalina)
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