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Microwaves to dry boat hulls
On Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:15:54 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:51:31 +0100, "Steve Lusardi" wrote: All other materials have a better TCO (total cost of ownership). I'm sure that statement will generate some flames, but it is observable and self evident So which is cheapest, steel or aluminum ? We are seeing a lot of steel sailboats from Europe with semi-hard chines down here in the Caribbean. Some are showing rust streaks but most seem to be holding up fairly well. It depends a lot on how the vessel is built. A steel boat that used stainless everywhere there is chafe or wear - rail cap, all exposed bolt or pin holes bushed, stainless cleats and fairleads, any dissimilar metals insulated, no wood, teak decks, cockpit combings, etc., the electrical system totally insulated from the hull and an alert captain or crew that catches every scratch that appears will certainly not require much, if any, major maintenance for very long periods. On the other hand I know a chap that has a French built aluminum sloop. Electrical system insulated from the hull, anything that is in the water is either aluminum or some alloy that doesn't react with aluminum strongly. To the best of my knowledge the only major maintenance he has done in probably 20 years is to overhaul the main engine. You often see French built boats that are unpainted aluminum, except for the anti-fouling. They appear to have few problems. And finally you see the home built boats, built by amateurs, that seem to rust away in 10 years or sometimes less. I believe that you are a power boat man so have a look at Seahorse Yachts, the Diesel Ducks, I did a bit of work on one when it came through Thailand on its way to the U.S. Beautiful work. Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
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