How long should a modern GRP hull lasts as compared to one made 10 years
ago?

And how old is considered too old when taking a boat offshore into potential
rough conditions?

--
Adrian Smith

Adrian Smith wrote:

How long should a modern GRP hull lasts as compared to one made 10 years
ago?

And how old is considered too old when taking a boat offshore into
potential rough conditions?


Nic 32s were first made more than 40 years ago and are still making
trans-oceanic voyages. They were designed using scantlings scaled for
timber construction, and the assumption was that if it looked a bit skinny
it was better to beef it up a bit. Of course, a modern hull is very
different.

I would suggest the question should not be how it lasts, but how well it has
been designed and built.

I would be very happy to take some modern boats round the world (if I wanted
to, which I don't). Others I would be unhappy taking out of harbour if the
weather looked nasty.

"Adrian Smith" wrote in message
...
How long should a modern GRP hull lasts as compared to one made 10 years
ago?
And how old is considered too old when taking a boat offshore into
potential rough conditions?
Adrian Smith

There are so many variables, I would think it's virtually impossible to give
a definitive answer.
A well laid up GRP hull should last indefinately, provided it's looked
after. GRP lay-ups vary wildly from make to make and generally speaking,
older offshore boats have thicker hulls utilising low tech materials, many
of which I suspect will outlive more modern lighter build, high tech ones.
In fact, a good
10-20 year old Hallberg Rassey, Contest, Rival, Westerly, Moody etc. may
have a few blisters but will still be stronger than many brand new popular
EU production line boats are today. Having said that, they probably won't
sail as quickly but I know which one I would rather rely on in rough
conditions.
There is no "age" limit for an offshore boat, it depends more on the
build quality, suitability of design and whether the necessary maintenance
and replacement of fittings, rig, etc. has been carried out properly over
the years.
Graham.

Graham Frankland wrote:

a good 10-20 year old Hallberg Rassey, Contest, Rival, Westerly, Moody etc. may
have a few blisters but will still be stronger than many brand new popular
EU production line boats are today.

Oh no, here we go again :-)
Nobody mention the 'B' word...

"peter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Graham Frankland wrote:

a good 10-20 year old Hallberg Rassey, Contest, Rival, Westerly, Moody
etc. may
have a few blisters but will still be stronger than many brand new
popular
EU production line boats are today.

Oh no, here we go again :-)
Nobody mention the 'B' word...


Are we saying that modern EU production line boats are not as strong as the
ones made in 'the good old days' when things was done proper:-)

I'm new here, but if the 'B' word is Beneteau. How strong and what is the
durability of their hulls?

--
Adrian Smith

I'm new here, but if the 'B' word is Beneteau. How strong and what is the
durability of their hulls?

--

Perhaps once upon a time it referred to Beneteau, but there's a new bad boy
on the block..... :-)

"Adrian Smith" wrote in message
...
"peter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Graham Frankland wrote:
a good 10-20 year old Hallberg Rassey, Contest, Rival, Westerly, Moody
etc. may have a few blisters but will still be stronger than many brand
new popular EU production line boats are today.

Oh no, here we go again :-)
Nobody mention the 'B' word...

Are we saying that modern EU production line boats are not as strong as
the ones made in 'the good old days' when things was done proper:-)
I'm new here, but if the 'B' word is Beneteau. How strong and what is the
durability of their hulls?
Adrian Smith

Yes and No. What's "done proper" as you put it, depends on the viewpoint
and proposed use. Not everyone (me included) can afford whatever our
lottery dream boat is, be it a HR, Rival Bowman, Pacific Seacraft or
whatever but, for some reason, we always seem to use them as a benchmark
when comparing "affordable" boats costing 75% less.

Under the EC Rules, boats are categorised for a purpose but, don't imagine
that because a boat may meet the stability/righting criteria for "A" Ocean
use, it's build quality is suitable for repeated heavy weather sailing or,
its design is suitable for extended offshore passages.

OTOH for the vast majority on a limited budget who mainly day or weekend
sail in coastal waters and have a two week summer holiday on board with the
kids, they're fine.

Graham.

I think "peter" was referring to blisters. Always a hot topic.
MMC
"Adrian Smith" wrote in message
...
"peter" wrote in message
ups.com...
Graham Frankland wrote:

a good 10-20 year old Hallberg Rassey, Contest, Rival, Westerly, Moody
etc. may
have a few blisters but will still be stronger than many brand new
popular
EU production line boats are today.

Oh no, here we go again :-)
Nobody mention the 'B' word...


Are we saying that modern EU production line boats are not as strong as
the
ones made in 'the good old days' when things was done proper:-)

I'm new here, but if the 'B' word is Beneteau. How strong and what is the
durability of their hulls?

--
Adrian Smith

GRP lay-ups vary wildly from make to make and generally speaking,
older offshore boats have thicker hulls utilising low tech materials, many
of which I suspect will outlive more modern lighter build, high tech ones.

I was interested to see the wreck of a Joint Services Victoria 34 (Ensis) in
Cherbourg last year. I own one of the Halcyon 27s that were replaced by the
Victorias in 1990.

I was amazed how thick our Halcyon's hull is when I had to cut into it once.
The topsides are half an inch thick and it gets progressively thicker as you
go down; when I installed the log I was cutting through well over an inch of
dense GRP.

Ensis on the other hand had a sizeable hole and she wasn't half as think at
any point, the thickness also seemed to be uniform. Much more what I would
have expected actually.

David

David Balfour wrote:

I was interested to see the wreck of a Joint Services Victoria 34 (Ensis) in
Cherbourg last year.

I spotted that too. Full of shingle. Any idea what happened??? Did you
spot the steel boats nearby? Suffered massive impact but still bent but
sailable.