Modify ferro cockpit

[hooked on water]

Dear friends, have just bought a hartley 32 ferro yacht for fitting out, and am wanting modify the cockpit (ferro). I can cut the cockpit where I want and expose steel to reform it to where I want, but what should I be using for the cement mix to render it, and do I need to keep this patch continually wet for the four weeks I believe is a requisite.

Would also like some information on setting the rudder tube and engine bed.

Thanks all for this wonderful site

[Alan Wheeler]

OK, I think you will get a lot of use from Colin Brookes's book on FC constrction. If you go to The World Of Ferro-cement Boats you will find some useful info. Plus you can order his book. It is not exspensive and will answer a lot of questions for you. Although it may bring up some sticker ones as well.

To your question, you will need to form the steel rods to where you want them and you will need chicken mesh for the reinforcing to hold the plaster.
The plaster needs to set, then kept damp. A good way to do this is place damp sacking over the plaster and wet with a hose every now and then, or the best way is to use a soak hose and finly spray a mist of water over the plaster. That is if you have a free unrestricted supply of water.
Ummm, the sterntube and bed worries me though. That should have been made before the boat was plastered and plastered with everything else. I hope you don't mean you have to cut the stern tube hole??? Could you clarify please?? Some photo's would be great.

[hooked on water]

Dear Alan

The framing is all there for the engine and rudder tube, just that they have not set the tubes in place. The holes have been framed and set in if this makes sense
It will be a few more weeks till i get the boat down here to start work on it.

The ribs are something that has concerned me, in that the plaster is not totally solid around these - not weak, just missing near the main steel on some areas of some ribs

Do you have any idea about rectifying this also

I will in deed buy the book, and have been reading alot from the site and sites to now.

I know you will want photos of the ribs also to comment

Thanks again

take care and hear from you soon