Ferro cement

[Jim Cate]

Does anyone wonder why insurers don't want to insure ferro boats? In general, they love to get new customers, so one must think that their actuarial experience with ferro is so negative that they want no part of it.

And I too have seen the occasional ferro boat that was well built, well finished and well equipped. They are in the minority IME, and determining the quality of the hull build is virtually impossible after the fact. That alone has always ruled them out for my consideration.

Jim

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Does anyone wonder why insurers don't want to insure ferro boats? In general, they love to get new customers, so one must think that their actuarial experience with ferro is so negative that they want no part of it.

And I too have seen the occasional ferro boat that was well built, well finished and well equipped. They are in the minority IME, and determining the quality of the hull build is virtually impossible after the fact. That alone has always ruled them out for my consideration.

Jim

When I was looking for a vessel through 2011 I was keen to get a ferro boat. In our little Island there were a number of extreemly good cruising boats up for sale, which were considerably cheaper than other vessels for little other reason than they were ferro. And in Tasmania, boats are always $10k to $20k dearer than our mainland counterparts.

The only thing that turned me off, was my inability to find an insurance agent that would cover it. I asked the question on each occassion 'why' they wouldn't cover it and never got a response. So, I avoided ferro boats.

[Boatskin]

Some perspective on ferrocement by a marine surveyor. Portions of this article have been posted on the Cruisers Forum before.


http://www.captainhugenot.com/


Scroll down to 15 Oct. 2009 for the article.



15 October 2009
FERRO-CEMENT BOAT CONSTRUCTION:
By Capt. Alan Hugenot

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Boatskin.

[Crosis]

Rocks are for skipping on the water, not sailing.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Crosis

Rocks are for skipping on the water, not sailing.

Ummm, I've heard a similar statement before. I think the intent is to suggest that as ferro boats are made from an aggregate commonly stones, then stones are not designed to float?

With this sort of logic no boat should be made from iron or steel either , but of course most off all boats on the worlds oceans are in fact steel. And what is steel made from?

Rocks of course.

[RaymondR]

I have been mucking about with boats for a good while now. Over the years I have had occasion to observe numerous boats which were wrecked of derelict. My observations were:

Pretty well every boat I have seen sunk at it's mooring were steel, most of them old fishing boats.

Every burnt boat I have seen was fibre glass one of which burst into flames before my eyes.

Every instance of burnt-whilst-under-construction was fibre glass.

I am a metal boat man myself (basically paranoid) so would be reluctant to own a ferro boat but if you want a vessel which will neglect for a long time, is low maintenance and is very difficult to burn ferro is not a bad choice.

In addition thay are generally fairly cheap to buy.

I don't know why insurance companies do not like ferro boats but suspect it is just a lack of rationality.

[HankOnthewater]

I think "Reefmagnet" in the 2nd post on this thread summed it up, except for 3 additional comments:
1. Generally FC boats are heavy therefore slower than its GRP sisters
2. Because they are heavier the sea-motion is gentler, or could be, again depending on design.
3. Insurance is possible, but agree: most companies do not want to insure such boats.
I have owned, sailed and lived on my FC boat for nearly 20 years.
Now about to give that boat away, and looking for GRP one.

[annk]

This is a good example of a very capable ferro boat that I have known for over 15 years( not mine). Well maintained and well sailed.I can highly recommend her.

Not all who wander....are lost: HANNAH IS FOR SALE!!

[Wattsailing]

FC rocks love my boat and its insured 😃


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[cathalot]

Thanks to all the response I really appreciate it now I know what to do

[boatman61]

Same reason they won't insure Wharrams without a proper Builders Certificate.. fed up with to many crappy home builds.. all to easy to go cheap..

[cathalot]

It mite be cheap junk to you but pride and joy to the owner

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by cathalot

It mite be cheap junk to you but pride and joy to the owner

Hey.. not knocking either having owned a home build Wharram and friends with ferro's..
However you gotta admit a lot of folk went with low quality builders ply or low grade steel rod..
there's cheap.. and there's stoopid..

[Rustic Charm]

Are ferro boats heavier than steel?