Went through the web site. A lot of half-truths there...the article on anodes is just stupid and shows no technical knowledge of understanding electrolysis, and galvanic action.
From the Facts
1) An 8 ton boat is 8 tons...true. Doesn't mean a ferro boat is going to weigh the same as a FRP boat for the same size. Compare a ferro of 40' to a glass boat of 60 feet.
Code:
http://www.yachtworld.com/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=quick&boat_id
=1569836&ybw=&units=Feet¤cy=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1438&url=
Code:
http://www.yachtworld.com/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=quick&boat_id
=1447771&ybw=&units=Feet¤cy=USD&access=Public&listing_id=36664&url=
I tried to get around the same year. Newer cored boats can be much lighter.
2) All different materials. Steel plaster is no different then a caveman spreading mud on the walls...this is stupid.
2a) Osmosis is osmosis. If it was an "advantage" why is the primary discussion the importance of sealing the boat for ferrocement (also FRP, and wood)?
3) A wood constructed boat will sink at the same rate when holed. Unfortunately the point is a ferro boat will obtain that hole long before the wood boat. It's not the speed of sinking but the impact resistance---what caused it to sink. Metals, some woods and plastics are much better.
4) Nothing lasts forever...true.
5) The surveyor isn't the guy sailing the boat. You can get a million opinions from a million surveyors all with dissenting opinions. Bottom line is you choose whats most important to you as everything is a trade off. Cost, performance, ease of maintainence, etc.
8) It's a typo. Earliest known concrete boat is Lambots dinghy in 1848. Earliest concrete boat still in existence is "Violette" built in 1917.
http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/phot...ndex.php?cat=2
Thousands of wood boats much older.
9) During WWII floating wharfs (Mulberry's) were built for the Normandy invasion. These are considered boats as they were floated across the Channel. This is the most DISGUSTING twisting of facts. Notice the use of "TONS" rather then quantity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulberry_Harbour
US boat registration statistics. 1999. 26 to 40 feet, sail, inboard, page 14.
Code:
http://www.nmma.org/facts/local/documents/1999%20Registrations%20Summary%20and%20Introduction.pdf
40,421 FRP boats.
Ferro isn't even listed except under "other" 335 boats some of which is ferro.
Funny that they didn't mention fire resistance. FRP and wood burn or melt.
This is not a criticism of ferrocement boats. Just a criticism of the website posted. It's distortion using half-truths.
I believe the first paragraph of max is also true...seaworthy if designed and built properly, like any boat of metal, wood or FRP. Max post...What you get for the price. You may end up with a larger boat as the hull material is less costly and not in general favor by the buying public (for what ever reason)--is this the most important thing to you in your quest? Other factors are it's heavier, slower and difficult to resell. It's all trade offs. You get what you pay for in most cases.
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