Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate
Randy, are you really sure about this number? I find it so far off scale as to be unbelievable. No reason for this sort of scantlings...
Cheers,
Jim
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Jim--
Randy is relying on some numbers that appeared in the article that I penned for a magazine and what he quoted is what appeared in the article. That, however, was incorrected due to some editing errors that occured in trying to cut the length of the article (and it was still one of the longest bat
reviews they published). The keelson on the First 42 is 200mm+/-
wide and about 40mm
thick at the point where the
keel bolts pass through the
hull to secure the
keel. (I tried to get an errata posted but that went nowhere.)
Please note that I would have interlineated this info sooner in this thread but we just returned from our annual Thanksgiving
cruise and this is the first time I have been on a computer in some while. For what it's worth, I have refrained from adding anything to this thread as it's a somewhat useless discussion. Many opinions on Beneteau's manufacturing, quality et al are voiced by those with little or no knowledge of either, either specifically or in general, I also find that opinions on technical/engineering matters on
forums such as this are commonly most vociferously expressed by those without any particular quaifications on the matter at hand. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, others must judge how much weight the give such expressions.
What I find most interesting about these discussions is the frequency with which the opinions expressed by an owner of a particual class/make/design of yacht is dismissed out of hand, frequently I think, based on the supposition that any opinion in favor of the class/make/design is given to justify or rationalize the choice/decision of the person expressing the opinion (or as a appologia for his poor selection of a yacht) rather than simply observations by an owner with experience on the yacht in question--yet who better to express an opinion than one who has used the yacht and experienced its advantages and draw-backs?
As for the
Beneteau line of yachts, speaking as an owner that has sailed one of the yachts in fair
weather and foul, near- and off-shore, they are fine, reliable and sturdy yachts. Speaking as an experienced registered Structural
Engineer and having done rather entensive
research on the yachts, including discussions with the designer-German Frers (whom I quoted), and manufacturing engineers, for my article, the yachts are very well built with no corners cut for the sake of economy. They are relatively inexpensive because of the number of yachts built, the use of the same components across lines/sizes of boats, and the avoidence of small, finnicky, costly detailing that adds visual appeal but little true utility to more costly yachts. With that, I an sufficiently confident in the yacht to willingly take my wife and
family, whom I value more the Rubies, off-shore confident that we shall arrive at our
destination quickly and in fine fettle. Whether the OP or anyone else chooses to value my opinion, or not, frankly Scarlott, I don't give a ....
FWIW