Ferro Repair Question

[Henry Morgan]

Hi all, bought myself a houseboat...8m x 4m aluminium cladding over wood with steel pontoons, never been in the water but sat in a yard for a decade. Guy got too old to use and I scored it cheap as chips. No motor or steering and the windows were smashed from the local kids but the more I look the more it seems a sound investment, I am looking to disappear on the murray river here in Aus and this is too good to pass up. I was thinking of glassing the bottom of the hull as a quick way of getting her in the water but I heard ferro cement repairing of wooden yachts is possible and fugured I would ask here if it would be possible to ferro the punt easily and cost effectively? Pics here... Henry Morgan | Facebook

[Boracay]

I tried your Facebook link and it didn't work. Can you upload them to this thread?

I don't know where you are thinking of using the ferro. If there is a problem with the steel pontoons you may be better off welding patches over any area of thin plate. If you ask around there may be paints that do Ok on steel in the Murray.

If there is a problem with the superstructure then if the aluminium is Ok you may be able to remove it carefully, replace any damaged or rotten wood and replace the aluminium. Putting some foam insulation in place may make it much more habitable.

It really depends on how much time and money you have available for your project.

Please be careful and think things through beforehand. From news reports the Murray can be unforgiving of mistakes.

[Henry Morgan]

HI, it is the wood on the punt I want to cover with ferro or glass... The pontoons are sound, a sand and paint is all they need.

[Henry Morgan]

[SabreKai]

Uggh, why add all that weight to a punt? Get a quart or so of epoxy, some glass cloth and do it that way. A lot less trouble and less weight.

Sabre

[Henry Morgan]

Thanks for your input... how hard is epoxy to work with? It seems really hard to source anything over a litre of resin locally with the shops being typical small town and over priced shops with people just wanting to sell what they got in stock which is why I was thinking cement. I heard of mixes between ferro and fibre which got my attention, I thought ferro might be in the too hard basket...

[Boracay]

I don't see the problem with the aluminium. It looks to be in good condition and it's light. Any modifications could have a serious negative impact on stability. Why not leave it the way it is?

It does look like you'll need new decking. Is there a good local hardwood that's weather resistant and doesn't splinter?

Have you given any thought to propulsion, steering and a way to get in and out of the water?

You'll also need to check what the regulations require in terms of safety equipment.

[Henry Morgan]

Punt is marine ply... I can see places it is weathered due to neglect.

I was thinking maybe a paddle rear wheel run off electric motor? For sake of just getting it in then an outboard with Holden HQ steering seems the easiest option.

Decking and windows are least of my problem, I know what I want there, it is making sure she will float that is my main concern really.

HIN # (hull id) $23aud
Rego is bugger all under a couple of hundred
Doesn't move 10 knots so no licence needed.
I will throw a radio and required safety gear in as outlined in the maritime handbook on boating in the state

[highcotton]

Not a boat question. I hope that is okay. I am repairing ferro cement as in faux bois furniture. Does anyone work with Thixotropic agents to prevent slumping. cabosil?? Since my piece is not in water do I still need portland 5. Any other advise greatly appreciated.