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Shanty1 · 02-07-2019, 04:52

Hey guys, I was reading in Jessica Watson’s book that they “reinforced” the hull of her yacht “Ella’s Pink Lady”. They didn’t say how they did this. Surely fibreglassing each side of the hull is not gonna do anything? I know they filled the anchor locker and under the V berth with foam as a collision bulkhead. This had nothing to do with reinforcing the hull.
Anyone know what I’m talking about.
Regards,
Mick

**Pete7** · 02-07-2019, 05:01

Mick,

Don't know anything about Pink Lady, but if its making a yacht bomb proof you might want to read Roger Taylors book and watch his You Tube videos. This is serious hard core and minimalist sailing.

<head> <title>Introduction to the junk-rigged Corribee Mingming

Shanty1 · 02-07-2019, 05:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Mick,

Don't know anything about Pink Lady, but if its making a yacht bomb proof you might want to read Roger Taylors book and watch his You Tube videos. This is serious hard core and minimalist sailing.

<head> <title>Introduction to the junk-rigged Corribee Mingming

Thanks for your reply. I will read up about him. Just interested whether you heard anything of Jessica Watson in england?
Regards,
Mick

**tkeithlu** · 02-07-2019, 05:14

Extra layers of FG on the hull would add more weight than strength, but extra plywood frames embedded in FG would. So would horizontal frames. But do you really need it? Is the hull flexing? Reinforcing won't help much when you hit the corner of a shipping container; that's a puncture. You probably can avoid hitting the side of a tanker, unless, of course, you are an officer in the Norwegian Navy.

Shanty1 · 02-07-2019, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Extra layers of FG on the hull would add more weight than strength, but extra plywood frames embedded in FG would. So would horizontal frames. But do you really need it? Is the hull flexing? Reinforcing won't help much when you hit the corner of a shipping container; that's a puncture. You probably can avoid hitting the side of a tanker, unless, of course, you are an officer in the Norwegian Navy.

I am planning a big trip in an S&S 34. The boats for sale are 35-40 years old. I reckon I would want to stiffen fibreglass that old up.

**Pete7** · 02-07-2019, 05:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanty1

I am planning a big trip in an S&S 34. The boats for sale are 35-40 years old. I reckon I would want to stiffen fibreglass that old up.

I would suggest an S&S 40 year old yacht is far stronger than todays mass produced hulls. If its in good condition and the bulkheads are still attached leave it alone.

Pete

**boatman61** · 02-07-2019, 05:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

I would suggest an S&S 40 year old yacht is far stronger than todays mass produced hulls. If its in good condition and the bulkheads are still attached leave it alone.

Pete

**tkeithlu** · 02-07-2019, 06:37

Less hear it for Olin Stephens, may he rest in peace. His boats are still out there.

robwilk37 · 02-07-2019, 07:31

cant speak to pink lady, but on my project it involved new laminated floors with closer spacing, new MDF ply bulkheads and biax/epoxy tabbing, horiz stringers at the waterline, essentially double-hulled from the WL down, glassed hull/deck joint, collision bulkhead, carbon-fiber keel wrap blah blah blah. you get the idea.

but then i started from a gutted bare hull, so easier to make the improvements...

Davo1404 · 03-07-2019, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanty1

I am planning a big trip in an S&S 34. The boats for sale are 35-40 years old. I reckon I would want to stiffen fibreglass that old up.

Do you actually own one? They are really great seaworthy yachts & if you have had a poke around inside one you would realise just how strongly built they are.

Sailmonkey · 04-07-2019, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanty1

I am planning a big trip in an S&S 34. The boats for sale are 35-40 years old. I reckon I would want to stiffen fibreglass that old up.

We’ve got a 43 year old boat. It’s no less stiff now than when it was built.

**noelex 77** · 04-07-2019, 04:01

Kay Cottee did the same thing with her 37 foot yacht.

SV Fraser J · 04-07-2019, 04:28

http://mcintyreadventure.com/wp-cont...-Pink-Lady.pdf
A bit more insight into the work she did on the hull.
There was a documentary video which included her refit but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Fore and Aft · 04-07-2019, 05:10

I would look at the deck hull join, chain plate area, rudder post and if you are really keen drop the rudder split it and check the inside stainless steel and shaft. The rest should be fine, so far older fibreglass yachts are still going strong as long as they have been well maintained?
Cheers

gmakhs · 04-07-2019, 17:56

The boat can handle it .... If you want to reinforce start by making the cockpit smaller and making her as water tight as possible .
Learn to steer and try to assure the boat won't fall from.a wave ....
Get good steering .
About the water fight bulkhead ... I hit a big log once , the most of the damage wasn't on the bow but on the side of the boat , didn't get a hole but the fiberglass was damaged .
Double the shrouds with dyneema (use normal.shrouds and back them up with dyneedma.in case of breakage,(saved me on one knock down )
Keep the wait of the boat as low as possible and windage as low as possible ...
Anyway I'd you stay in the trade winds you are safe .

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