Cheap Multis and Projects

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by ZULU40

people do not seem to be aware that balsa is a wood

and it is interesting to note, that one of the safest and most successful fighter aircraft used in WW2 was made from plywood,
the De Havilland Mosquito

Plenty of other fighters had much better kill ratios and raw numbers. Planes like the Hellcat and the ME-109 had thousands of kills to their credit. But it's hard to argue the beauty, versatility and durability of the plywood Mossie!

Somebody should try one out of foam core and glass!

[Cavalier MK2]

People really did get wary of the word wood after fiberglass took over. Nowadays there may be fewer negative associations that traditional wood boats aren't common.
Another ply plane from WW2 was the Spitfire, the Brits used hot molding for construction.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by paxfish

I am curious as to why a epoxy/glass covered plywood hull would not be called a composite structure?

Wood is a composite. Weak matrix held together with a binding agent.

Plywood and epoxy is a form of composite. It's just not fibreglass.

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[Redreuben]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

A 60' cat for only $45,000! Is it wood or composite?
2006 Custom Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

It's cedar strip hulls with ply bulkheads.

[Redreuben]

Originally Posted by Cavalier MK2

People really did get wary of the word wood after fiberglass took over. Nowadays there may be fewer negative associations that traditional wood boats aren't common.
Another ply plane from WW2 was the Spitfire, the Brits used hot molding for construction.

Nope, the Spitfire was metal monocoque.

[Cavalier MK2]

Originally Posted by Redreuben

Nope, the Spitfire was metal monocoque.

You're right Red, I just was remembering the stressed skin construction.

[hellsop]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

A 60' cat for only $45,000! Is it wood or composite?
2006 Custom Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

We won't be able to tell until it's finished that far.

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by monte

plywood is heavy and therefore not used in the traditional sense of a composite material. Cedar is a traditional composite construction material. If plywood had laminate both sides its more likely it was done to keep it floating. If so my first cat was composite :P
The strength of traditional composites comes from the engineered design and keeping the skins separated by a light weight core. Plywood doesn't have the weight/volume to achieve that effect without being overly heavy. My first plywood cat was only glassed over to keep the water on the outside and it was HEAVY!

I guess that's true for a lot of plywood. My "project" boat is okume ply, epoxy and glass over (some parts over and under). Pretty light. I read somewhere that this "composite" has strength and weight rivaling carbon fiber.

[Buzzman]

In Broome, Western Australia is this 38' Crowther tri. You couldn't buy the materials to construct it from for the price the owner is selling it.

Doesn't mention rot, but there's bound to be some.....

TRIMARAN Crowther Impala 11.8m cross laminated ply | Sail Boats | Gumtree Australia Broome City - Broome 6725 | 1079500431

[snort]

Another Crowther design; this time a catamaran:

1985 Lock Crowther sailboat for sale in Outside United States

[brownoarsman]

Since we're on the topic of plywood cores, does anyone have an idea of what a 30' wharram tri would cost to build new, both on your own and with a builder like Boat Smith?
I just can't get over what a deal this one looks like:
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5016394058.html
Sure standing rigging and sails might have to be replaced at this point, and maybe the motor, and she needs some extra amp hours, but if a less than ten year old, 30' cat had been available when I was shopping, you bet I would have bought her.
I looked at another wharram but the exposed bridge deck was a nonstarter, this one has gotten around it with the hard dodger.


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[jdazey]

I'm not familiar with Wharram tris. The photo is of a cat.

[brownoarsman]

Whoops! Yes, a cat. Estimate of $20k and 1,000 hours to home build: http://www.multihull-maven.com/Boats/Tane_Nui



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[mitchell bros]

My Mother's father Mark (ROBIN) Hassall (my grandfather) some years before he died DEC 7th 07 sold his boat THAT II to a bank robber -62'Trimeran sold it for only 15,000 so he could build his house in San Marcos Solala Guatemala. When the bank robber was caught it than than went to auction and sold for 150,000. It Still floating the sea today. THAT II now does snorkel tours in Belize. I have the original Jim Brown designs from the first one to set sail up to the searunner 48' if anyone wants to build one .Which is the cheapest way to go. AARON James Mitchell

[Cavalier MK2]

Post this on the Searunner thread, those guys would be really interested as Mark H. Was a Searunner legend. The price to build comes down to materials costs, site and labor. These vary widely between locations and ability. Making your own hardware and outfitting simply, sourcing used gear etc.. can bring the price down. Any build is a big task though. Buying a used boat is often a better deal but if the condition is bad it is harder and less straight forward than a new start.