Steve, I have a chance to pick up a 53′ Ferro cement sail boat. It needs to be finished out with masts, paint etc. Do you have any input in the Ferro cement design. It was built in Alaska, nice lines and quality hard ware, new Volvo engine, all oak inside. I can not see any rust leaking through the cement, it is in a boat yard and has been there for 10 years. It has not sailed. Please give some input if possible. Cheers, Spike
Hi Spike: Tough question. If properly built and if you do not make mistakes with the boat–both big "ifs" ferrocement can be OK. However, it does not have the impact resistance of FRP, or metal (or even wood) and if you put the boat ashore, or in some cases even have a moderate grounding you have a high risk of major damage. A second issue is insurance. It is sometimes difficult to get insurance on ferrocement boats.
As a result of the above, ferro boats typically sell at very low prices–which makes them attractive. You just have to be realistic about the risk factors inherent in the material. Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
March 6th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Seems to me everyone have a different view when we talk : “IMPACT RESISTENCE”.- …SO I’M NO WISER,SO FAR…
I wander if is there “a wise” man. HELP !!!, HELP !!! Jay
March 6th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Howdy Javier:
From what we have observed (many years ago) ferro cement construction quickly fails when sitting on a reef as compared to fiberglass or metal.