Ferro-concrete yachts

MYStargazer

MYStargazer

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Do they fall apart easily, or suffer from some sort of special concrete-osmosis??!

Is it just prejudice and yacht club smirks that makes them so much cheaper?

Are they akin to a sea-going Lada?

Views appreciated. Thanks.
 
Like all boats if they were made properly then they are good, however a lot of them were diy built and some were better than others.
The hulls were cheap to build but they usually got stuck at the fit out, remember big hull big bills, and so there are a lot of part finished around.
The only pro builds that I can think of were the Endurance range, built by Windboats of Wroxham.
You really need a specialist to check one out but I am quite happy to go to sea in a good one.
 
The definitive answer is:

It depends.

Seriously, there are a lot of good solid ferro boats out there - and not a few not even with a bargepole jobs. The difficulty is to know which is which. A professional hull by a specialist company is a good start. If it's over 10years old and has no rust weeps, that's a pretty good sign too.

Look for a smooth, fair finish and no rust spots. I'd be leery of anything with new paint, 'cos it can hide a multitude of sins, but it may just be because the owner loves and cares for his boat.

Some will be skips, some Ladas and others Land Rovers. You won't find any Ferraris, but you might find the odd hand crafted Bentley.

A survey by someone who knows ferro is essential.
 
The good ones can be very good indeed, the bad ones truly awful. There's a lot of prejudice out there which keeps prices low - conversely, a lot of insurers (possibly through ignorance) won't touch them. Fortunately, there a a few companies who know better!
 
Some...

...can be quite attractive, in a rugged, massive sort of way...
IMG_0234.jpg


Spotted in Gaios on Paxos last summer.

Steve Cronin
 
There was a thread a few weeks back with a picture of a ferro yacht that had 'taken a knock'. A fair bit of damage but the reinforcement obviously did it's job. I tried to find the thread but failed dismally. Hopefully someone else will have more luck.
 
If I keep the boat, you can get 3rd party with ferro. Thing is, so cheap compared to the tupperware and tin out there, that not really worth insuring for budget cruisers like myself.
 
A friend of mine has one, but when the yard lifted it out they dropped it, and he's had nothing but trouble trying to find all the leaks. Problem was, he took some cash to repair it himself as he built it, and the yard now accepts no responsibility!
 
Re: Ferro-concrete yachts ... bigger is better ...

The advantage of ferro comes with size ... particularly in the 35 - 60ft range which seems to suit it well.
Smaller and the weight penalty cuts in ... bigger and you are better going for steel etc.

Here is a 60ft clipper that I would love to own .... she has circumnavigated and sits just 2km from my house ... I have been offered Skippers job on her, been offered her at good price etc....... Dreams !!!!

>>>>>>>>

milda.jpg


Tony Castro design, 60ft clipper ship. Built in Switzerland of Ferro Cement reinforced in 80's. Transported to France, West coast and launched. She has 2 baths, state room, and berths for 10+. Crew reqt's are minimum 3. Turbo charged 175hp diesel, 3 ton fuel, 3 ton water, 3 ton waste tanks. 13KW diesel genny. Draft approx. 7ft on long keel.

A Lady of the Ocean .....
 
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