PeterV
Active member
I’ve just seen a Seawolf 26 advertised on Apollo Duck with an aluminium keel! I can’t think that’s a selling point!
Aluminium keel?
- Thread starter PeterV
- Start date
Neeves
Well-known member
I don't know anything about Seawolf 26 and maybe a fraction more, a fraction of nothing is - nothing, about aluminium yachts - but what would be wrong with an aluminium yacht, with a (encapsulated lead filled) aluminium keel and the space at the top of the keel (it does not need to be completely filled with lead) used for either fuel or water in fibre glass tanks. Seems an ideal arrangement to me.
Jonathan
Jonathan
Maatsuyker
New member
I think that there would be electrolytic problems. One is used to make anodes, the other cathodes. It would probably dissolve the aluminium pretty quickly
debenriver
Member
Simply not true.
We built dozens of aluminium alloy sailboats (35' - 100') with aluminium keel envelopes and encapsulated lead ballast – and often with integral fuel and/or water tanks above.
For electrolysis to happen there has to be dissimilar metals in an electrolyte (sea water for example). In an encapsulated keel there is no electolyte.
Royal Huisman also built aluminium alloy sailboats with external lead ballast keels and, even though it seems wrong, they seldom had any problems – though it was necessary to keep the zinc anodes in good condition.
Cheers -- George
Neeves
Well-known member
I confess I don't know the keel configuration but cannot think that this one is filled with concrete. I assume she has an aluminium keel
Pacha Sailing
Its a bit bigger than a 26' yacht - but the principle is the same. When I saw her out of the water they were going to instal the anodes which were like massive dinner plates. There were recesses in the hull to accept the anodes.
She appears to have lasted well.
Jonathan
Pacha Sailing
Its a bit bigger than a 26' yacht - but the principle is the same. When I saw her out of the water they were going to instal the anodes which were like massive dinner plates. There were recesses in the hull to accept the anodes.
She appears to have lasted well.
Jonathan
AngusMcDoon
Well-known member
Cost. Far too expensive for any boat less than 40'.
Neeves
Well-known member
Embrace change 
Ovni did not agree with you
First look: Ovni 370 - smaller rugged alloy yacht - Yachting World
admittedly not quite a 26' yacht.
Interestingly aluminium 'tenders' (tinnies) seem to have found a niche in competition with fibreglass.
The yacht Gelegnite was also less than 40' - but the production process did not catch on. I imagine Health and Safety would have a field day
Gelignite
In any event the thread is about aluminium keels not on what is the smallest aluminium yacht and the OP suggesting it would be disadvantageous on a 26' yacht. If it was cheap - we don't know - it does not see completely daft (all the weight in the bottom of the keel).
Jonathan
Ovni did not agree with you
First look: Ovni 370 - smaller rugged alloy yacht - Yachting World
admittedly not quite a 26' yacht.
Interestingly aluminium 'tenders' (tinnies) seem to have found a niche in competition with fibreglass.
The yacht Gelegnite was also less than 40' - but the production process did not catch on
. I imagine Health and Safety would have a field dayGelignite
In any event the thread is about aluminium keels not on what is the smallest aluminium yacht and the OP suggesting it would be disadvantageous on a 26' yacht. If it was cheap - we don't know - it does not see completely daft (all the weight in the bottom of the keel).
Jonathan
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DownWest
Well-known member
There was an amateur built one in the local yard. Shallow keel with lead ballast and a center plate. It had been lifted as a couple of leaks appeared. Severe corrosion all along the keel, which they cut one side off. It was then carted off to a yard that did aluminium.
Neeves
Well-known member
As defined in Post 5 - get it right and have lots of money - they last for decades
AngusMcDoon
Well-known member
A boat that is not 37', but 39.2'.
I really can't see any engineering point of putting a fabricated lead filled aluminium keel on any non-aluminium hull. The boat builder would have to be set up for 2 kinds of manufacturing. I suspect that when the economics were costed it would seem completely daft. I can tell you now (having previously owned an aluminium boat) that it is not a cheap material to manufacturer in, but the opposite - expensive material, expensive labour and very expensive factory set up cost.
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Neeves
Well-known member
No-one is arguing with you, we agree - see post 9.
No-one buys a yacht as an investment. Purchases are ruled as much by the heart as anything. I don't know, nor care the rate of depreciation of your yacht - but you have accepted that loss. Some accept different losses - some simply invest their money in a rental property and they think you and I are mad.
Just look at Pasha, Post 5. Beautiful - but you do not buy it as an investment. I looked at Pasha, she was moored not far away - a money pit - but someone bought her. Their heart strings fluttered more than mine.
Jonathan
No-one buys a yacht as an investment. Purchases are ruled as much by the heart as anything. I don't know, nor care the rate of depreciation of your yacht - but you have accepted that loss. Some accept different losses - some simply invest their money in a rental property and they think you and I are mad.
Just look at Pasha, Post 5. Beautiful - but you do not buy it as an investment. I looked at Pasha, she was moored not far away - a money pit - but someone bought her. Their heart strings fluttered more than mine.
Jonathan
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Tranona
Well-known member
A Seawolf 26 is a middle of the road 1970s GRP boat designed by David Feltham with either a din or twin keels, bolted on cast iron.
Advertiser made a mistake in his description but as usual forums ignore the point of the post and go off into an irrelevant discussion!
Advertiser made a mistake in his description but as usual forums ignore the point of the post and go off into an irrelevant discussion!
