Ferro Cement Hulls?

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by ColdFusion

I spent quite a lot of time looking into the viability of ferro. The only reason I would not consider it now is because I'm no longer interested in monos.

I have seen a steel catamaran, so the concept of a ferro cat is not entirely unbelievable -stupid , but so was the steel cat!

[TAKUTORI]

YES.

Take a look at our pre-purchase pictures of Taku Tori: Pre-Purchase Virginia - TAKU TORI - The adventures of Bill & Sandy aboard S/V TAKU TORI. A 58ft Yacht.- powered by SmugMug

A quick word on "impact resistance". For all those people out there that focus on a lack of impact resistance compared with steel, alloy and fiberglass: Learn to navigate before you head out to sea!

We are in Apia, Western Samoa right now and from the marina I can see a steel fishing trawler that went up on the reef three days ago. The boat is made of steel and built like a tank, but it's bottom has been torn open from waves pounding and it's now so far up on the reef recovery is out of the question. Would it matter if it were made of Ferro, Fiberglass or egg shells? None. The skipper thought he would go around a ship at anchor, but he found out the hard way ship was on the reef as well.

However, in all my years of sailing and on just about every type of construction material, I found that it's only a piece of paper that keeps you afloat and above the danger. It's called a Chart. If you navigate using Braille expect to lose your boat, it's that simple.

[sctpc]

the only reason I would not consider one is the fact insurance is so hard and without you cant get into a marina in australia.

[Talbot]

Third party insurance is sufficient for marinas , is a lot cheaper, and much easier to get.

[Vic de Beer]

Amature buiders ahve been building FC boats for many years and most of them are still afloat.
I think personally, that FC boat designs and plans came along at the request of home builders.
The intial financial outlay, unlike with most other boats, start off at a rate that is/was within most sailor wanabe's budget.
You buy the r'bar and build a frame.
Next you buy the mesh and build the armature
Next, you contract (if you could afford it) a professional, or you complete the concrete part and then leave it to cure.
Next you start with the interior....all at a very affordable pace.
The only problem, .....you have to know what you are doing.
I helped a few FC boat builders, years ago in South Africa (where they were a big favourate) and also saw all kinds of builders... some boats did not make it, but others are still sailing after 30-40 years, without any visible deterioration.
I personally opted for steel....which I knew more about.

[Alchemist]

I own a hartly 45 ketch
great boat bit slow in light air great in the heavy stuff
fiji auckland at 6.5 knots average on rumb line would have done better bit first 24 hours spent recovering from goodbye party
buying ferro allowed me to get a well found boat very cheap
mine was built to mot standard in 1980
more ferro boats out there doing it per no built then any other must say some thing!