fiberglass over steel ??

[HVYJimmy]

Gday guys ,I am looking at sailing boat , I see one that's only 4 years old ,witch has fiberglass over steel hull I was wondering whats the pros and cons of this combo as I havent seen it before. any info is greatly appreciated , thanks

[Stumble]

I have never seen this done which makes me pretty suspicious right off the bat. There are a number of issues I see with even trying this, which in my mind make it highly doubtful that their would be any advantage to it.

Can you give the make/model of the boat, and if you know, who the engineer was.

[sardinebreath]

It makes absolutely no sense to cover a steel hull with fiberglass. In the short term, it might reduce the constant maintenance inherent with steel (sanding, priming, painting), but eventually you are going to get moisture underneath the fiberglass and then you're truly effed. It is sometimes done with keels and can be problematic even in that very limited application. My guess is that someone misled you and the boat isn't really constructed that way.

[HansSolo]

We owned a steel boat that had the decks glassed over, and it totally ruined them. Moisture did get under the glass, was trapped, and caused EXTENSIVE rusting. It was hard to tell where there were problems too because the glass hid them so well. I never did understand why it was done, but boy what a mess it made of our decks! Never underestimate the penitential stupidity of the good intentioned.

[Richard5]

Mad props for using the word 'penitential' even though not in the proper context.

'glass over steel...sounds like a disaster.

[HansSolo]

whoops auto correct *potential

[atoll]

don't walk.......RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sparau]

If it isn't built that way and just described incorrectly by the seller it could be remarkably cheap as i imagine it would scare 99% of people off !

[Richard5]

Originally Posted by HansSolo

whoops auto correct *potential

Say three Hail Marys and autocorrect no more my son.

[Richard5]

I have considered the scenario where the listing might be the friend of the owner or some such. In such a case, the unknowing friend heard epoxy coated steel and errantly decided 'glass covered steel as most fitting. Truth is stranger than fiction. It may be worth investigating, aka, first hand inspection.

[Stumble]

I could also see a steel hull with a fiberglass superstructure. It seems to be such a bad idea to coat steel with fiberglass that I almost think there is something else going on.

[colemj]

Are you sure it is fiberglass and not just epoxy fairing compound or primer under paint?

Mark

[Bestathook]

Could the listing be written by an automated translator?

Definitely ask the owner for deals.

[HVYJimmy]

the boats called40 Roberts MPMName:
Lilli JeanLocation:
Marks Point NSWRegion:
New South WalesYear:
2009Designer:
RobertsLength:
40' - 12.19mBeam:
12'9"Draft:
5'3isplacement:
11,000 kgsKeel / Ballast:
Full KeelHull Material:
Fibreglass over SteelDeck Material:
Fibreglass over steel

[colemj]

Run away.

Mark