From rdux@ix.netcom.com Thu Jun 29 18:48:44 1995 Return-Path: Received: from ix4.ix.netcom.com by mail.eskimo.com (5.65c/1.35) id AA00574; Thu, 29 Jun 1995 18:48:41 -0700 Received: from by ix4.ix.netcom.com (8.6.12/SMI-4.1/Netcom) id SAA19386; Thu, 29 Jun 1995 18:04:03 -0700 Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 18:04:03 -0700 Message-Id: <199506300104.SAA19386@ix4.ix.netcom.com> From: rdux@ix.netcom.com (Robert J.Duckstein ) Subject: Re: looking for wisdom on ferrocement as a cruising hull material To: Martin Mikelsons Status: RO X-Status: D my first passage was made on a ferro-cement cutter during 1975-76. the hull was laid during 1973. we had sailed from mazatlan mex. to cabo san lucas, the marquesas,french polynesia, the cooks, hawaii and eventually back to british columbia. it was a roberts design of 42ft, somewhat modified, and built like fort knox. if properly constructed and cared for,which this vessel was, it will last a lifetime. ie: during wwI barges were constructed of concrete that are still afloat today.i saw 16mm motion pictures of the constucted of the aforementioned vessel. from the lofting of the ss wire and 'chicken wire' to the laying up of the cement. the most amazing and nerve wracking portion (according to the owner) was when he called in the crane to pick up the (upside down) hull and rotate it so the vessel coould be completed. all the cement has to be applied and fare at one time thus insuring uniformity. it is then covered with blankets and water is run over the hull for 30 days so the cement does not cure too fast and crack. sampsom was and still is the most popular design, many being constucted in the pacific northwest. a freind built a 65ft vessel along the willamette river in oregon. the thing about ferro boats was that they were relatively cheap ($2500 for the 42ft from b.c.) to construct. the problem was that during the 70s many thought that they could build large vessels for a small investment...this was somewhat true if all you wanted was a large hull. however, turning this hull into an ocean going sailing vessl was expensive. ie: engine, mast, sails, rigging,winches, interior design, etc etc. when these would be marineers began to encounter the reality of expense many anbandoned their dreams. that is one reason that for years after one could find so many uncompleted hulls in backyards from florida to washington. almost any shortcuts used led to disaster...substituting anything for the ss wire was folly, too much cement applied to the bow or stern left you with an unblanced hull. that in itself was no big deal, shifting weight around could compensate for anything. cheap hull and the reality of the expense of rigging the boat led to most anbandoned projects. if you are convined of the vessel said authenticity ( sampson design, ss and chicken wire and proper constuction) youd could have a very stout vessel! most problems will occur with any thru hull fitting, above or below the water line, including the keel bolts. all fitings, bolts etc. must be properly bedded and insulated from coming in contact with the framework of the vessel. the chicken wire being the 'less noble' of the metals used will be the first to corrode, disintegrate and fail. when this happens to a keel bolt or thru hull, the result is not pleasant. the six years i spent with my canadian freind, we replaced perhaps a half dozen of the 24 keel bolts. that wasn't too bad. the galvanized carriage bolts were inserted thru a -plastic (nylon) sleeve then bedded and tigtened. that vessel is still plying the pacific waters as is the 65 footeer i mentioned. i would still sail on either vessel today. sampson was an adequate design and the vessels actually sailed well. each one, due to the perks of the owner/builder is different. for the price you can't beat it. maitenance and care will keep you afloat for years. i sailed the pacific for twelve years, the last seven aboard my own 42 ft cascade (i dilike too much varnishing painting etc. i like to spend my time sailing, not dreaming about it in a boatyard.) presently i live in south florida and am running a boatyard/marina. feel free to contact me with more specific inquiries. good luck bobby