Into the ice with plastic or 100% ONLY with metal?

[369thegoose]

Originally Posted by Ibetitsthisway

Hi folks,



I am into the market for a 40-50ft steel ketch for high latitude sailing and (one day) going into icy waters.


So far I have only been looking for steel, because to my humble opinion it is the only choice for poeple who are not suicidal cruising nw passage.



BUT there are ... during 2 month of search ... exactly NILL yachts which meet my checkbox list and are with my budget (80k USD payed) without mayor(!) work to be done.


In my dispair I started looking at "plastic" boats, as Aluminium is in most cases out of budget anyways.
So far I have norrowed down the choice to fisher and nauticat. I hear how sturdy they are and see (in some refit threads) wall thicknesses of 1-1,5 inch handlaid material. Displacement is more or less equal to steel boats.


So I am asking myself - are these yachts "suicidal" to go into icy and loggy waters (hitting deadheads in canada with 7knots is also no fun) or is it worth to take a look at these "plastic" boats?


Please help - I am not sure anymore if I am sensible or overcautious...

Hi there
Forget aluminum as v few places in the world can repair whereas steel is easy.

[JanetGroene]

I cruised the NWP on board an icebreaker and even that almost got frozen in. We just made it out in August. Some winters can start earlier and last longer than others. Just ask the Franklin Expedition.

[CaptBobR]

In the Port of Green Cove Springs Fl there is an approximate 80 foot motor sailor which was supposed to be a schooner. It was allegedly designed to ha dale ice. It was never finished and the hull has sat in the water for several years. I think it would be quite cheap

[Sailing4Jesus]

I'm thinking we need to Update the spelling from BOAT to BOATT.

Before: BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand

Updated: BOATT = Break Out Another Ten Thousand

Navy Senior Chief Retired

[double u]

Originally Posted by 369thegoose

Hi there
Forget aluminum as v few places in the world can repair whereas steel is easy.

No longer true any more, e.g. here in PF they are building quite sizeable Aluminium boats, both in Tahiti & in Raiatea and can build you the complete 80' Aluminium vessel if you want, let alone repair any- & everything aluminium. & how much further “out of the way“ can you get?

[AussieJim]

I just saw this advertised on "yachts for sale by owner only" Facebook page. You might be interested...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/945743318865601/

[hpeer]

65’ aluminum for $260k? 1982. Is that the one?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by double u

No longer true any more, e.g. here in PF they are building quite sizeable Aluminium boats, both in Tahiti & in Raiatea and can build you the complete 80' Aluminium vessel if you want, let alone repair any- & everything aluminium. & how much further “out of the way“ can you get?

Aww, come on... Those are pretty sophisticated places that you have named. Just going a couple of hundred miles up to say Raroia or Kauahe (sp?) might get you into the Aluminium twilight zone, let alone the Solomons or northern Vanuatu or...

But the clever alloy boat owner will learn basic aluminium welding and carry a small MIG unit on board if going to remote places.

Jim

[hpeer]

Even onboard MIG can be a problem. In Newfoundland you can’t get a refill. It seems Aire Liquide Has the market locker up, you get a tank and return a tank. Most fellows have long term leases on a tank but still swap them out. I’ve no idea if that’s a Newfoundland thing or a Canada thing. It strikes me it may be Canada wide as they seem to require annual inspections on the tanks. Not sure.

They are now developing some AL stick rods that, in skilled hands (not mine) can do a passable job. I’ve done some touch up welding with my Honda 2000 and a small inverted welder but the Honda quickly runs out of guts and pops a breaker. I voyage to use the real small rods. Requires lots of patience even for a small job.

[mglonnro]

My friends (extremely experienced sailors) sailed through ice infested waters to Svalbard with an X-Yachts IMX-40.

So for once-in-a-lifetime adventures, with good planning and seamanship, I guess a lot of things are doable without putting yourself in too severe danger.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Wayne hoath

Then get a Fisher....and just do everything else you planned with the exception of the ice.

Quite, if the ice is only 1% and as someone else said, you have to get there, then choose a pilot house yacht, particularly given your home country with all the Baltic to explore.

How about something like this:

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...nced%20listing

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1...owse%20listing

[Ibetitsthisway]

Two beautiful yachts!
But i am concerned about the large Windows and the weak Support.

I am back with steel and currently tying to find some nice motiva yachts...danish steel boats....that fit into my budget.

[pmpassano]

Ralph,There are suitable steel boats in the general cost of $80,000 in the US.
Are you only interested in vessels in Europe?
Peter

[Ibetitsthisway]

Of course the only price that concerns me is the landing price of Akquisition.
Flight Costs to view the boat. Transport to my local harbor...
Eventually high inspection costs of importing a boat to europe ...
Maybe Import tax...

So far i have not seen a boat that would be economically interesting


Aluminium:
No way...never ever...!
I hear so many stories about hidden galvanic corrosion...
Even within Water Tanks diue to cleanig chemicals...

Steel rust is an honest thing. Even osmosis is better than alu corrosion...


All commercial vessels Atem Made of steel...must be a reason.

[Jim Cate]

All commercial vessels Atem Made of steel...must be a reason.

Umm, Ralph, there are one hell of a lot of aluminium commercial vessels in our neck of the world, and I bet in all necks of the woods.

I think you are inventing data to shore up your preconceived ideas.

Jim