First --this is an excellent forum in all aspects. Thanks to everyone here for the wide range of expertise and subjects.
I am in process of
shopping for my 5th
boat. I
sold the last, a 48'
aluminum ketch a little over 2 years ago. Since that time living ashore, I ve found that I very much miss the
water and sailing. Additionally at 57 I would like to return to the Pacific in my own
boat one last time i.e. before Im so ancient that it must be done by air. There are lots of places I have not seen yet and I may well be having a Ulysses (a.k.a. Alfred Lord Tennyson) moment in my life.
I ve owned
steel,
wood and
aluminum. My favorite material is aluminum.
Steel is second. Currently one of the
boats under consideration is a 47' steel
ketch in
New Zealand. She is home built and I m not at all familiar with the naval architect (Joe Van Geils) who did her lines. Ditto the
builder. I have extensive photos of her both in construction and of course complete.
When she was ballasted a combination of lead and steel was used and from what I am able to tell, this was secured in place in her
keel by pouring concrete inside, I assume over the various pieces. I have a number of concerns about the vessel which I will list. Let me also predicate this by saying that I consider myself much more conversant with aluminum and
wood rather than steel and never having owned a GRP or composite vessel, I know absolutely nothing about it.
In the published specs for the vessel she is listed as 2 tons of lead and 4 tons of steel cemented in place inside of the
keel. Total ballast 6 tons,
displacement wet (full
tanks ) at 25 tons.Published specs also indicate that she has spiral steel masts, alloy booms and galvanized
rigging. Mainmast is 16.5 M high,, mizzen is 12 M high.Beam is 13.9 ft,
draft is 6'6.Her published plate thickness is 6mm.All tankage is integral in the bilges, 650 L of
fuel and 1200 L of
water.
I have seen concrete used in
bilge areas in wood and steel vessels for various reasons, at times to contain boiler punchings for weight and at times to build up low areas for draining correctly. . I have also read horror stories about possible
maintenance problems with it when
corrosion sets in. From what I can tell of the photos of this vessel, the concrete is actually exposed in the
interior of the
hull. So one would think that it would be in a wet/dry cycle with
salt and fresh water from a
packing gland plus what ever else might contribute to draining back to the sump area to be pumped out. I read on the web where
Bruce Roberts is vehemently against using concrete in this manner. I also read where some think it is acceptable. What is the bottom line on this?Looks like when
corrosion starts in low areas as it will do in steel that one would be faced with chipping it all out,blasting and
paint and re application. The possibility of pit through with 6 MM plate seems possible. 6 MM is advertised as used in all areas. I normally have seen steel and aluminum hulls constructed with heavier plate lower down so I consider this unusual. Any one with knowledge on this please feel free to comment.
B/D and stability. This boat it would seem, has a heavy rig, moreso than extruded aluminum spars. Provided she has the righting moment it might not be a problem. Since I dont know the architect's
work or that of the
builder, considering her
draft, b/d ratio beam and rig she to me on first examination would appear possibly
tender. There is no evidence of any inclining experiments on her. Any suggestions or comments would be deeply appreciated.
This is the one boat thats under consideration in NZ currently, It is a long way away from where I live in Veracruz
Mexico and Im trying to do as much diligence as possible before investing the time and expense to go and view her. My plans would be of course extended
live aboard and cruising. That having been said NZ is a long way south. Any one from NZ on the forum?? It would even be better to find someone with knowledge of this boat.
In any case many thanks to all of you for a great forum. Thanks in advance for any observations
Carr