On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 06:23:42 GMT, Roy Jose Lorr
wrote:


What's tricky about aluminum is the environment.

Yes, my understanding is that it must be in still air,
close-to-constant temperature and so on. Steel can be welded under the
roof of an open shed, or with nothing if it's not raining...that's my
impression, anyway.


If you have the welding gear but didn't bring spare steel along, and
need a rough and ready sizable repair (unlikely but not out of the
queastion) in less than optimum conditions, an all steel boat is one
large spare in itself. You cannibalize accordingly.

Ugly, but true, and a good reason to have a steel dodger even if you
have an aluminum deck!

And, if conditions
are trying (i.e. torch gone kaput), given one and a half pairs of hands,
a decent drill and bits, metal cutters and or a hole saw, hammers
and a 1/4 bucket of mild steel through bolts, you can make and rivet
a strong get you to the next port patch, in reasonably short order.

I have little use for plastic, in women, or water born craft.

Heh...



Also, in some of the anchorages I wish to visit, being able to replace
balsa core is not going to get me fresh produce. Being able to weld a
hard to replace and expensive piece of metal just might.

Play it safe... bring money.

Well, yes...I would have enough money to go long-term cruising as a
matter of course, but I would like the option to spend as little of it
as possible in order to extend my period of long-term cruising....G



In order to sail for many years in mid-life, as I intend to do, I
consider it prudent to develop manual skills (engine repair,
electronics, welding, canvas repair) useful both to me on the boat (so
I can avoid paying for yard work) and useful in trade or to make money
in the places I want to go.

Don't count on making money... bring or have access to plenty... just
don't flash it around. Romantic illusions aren't worth the delusions
they're grounded in.

I am prepared for that, as I've said...but I intend to include on my
cruising routes places that are not big on the money economy. Trade
goods and services can come in handy in such places, beyond the idea
of self-sufficiency. If you can handle minor repairs, it stands to
reason that you'll have enough money for the major refits when they
happen, like "replace standing rigging" or "find a new used diesel"
and so on.



Is he painless?

Perhaps according to his bank manager.