Fifty Feet of Grey (steel)

[MapisM]

And actually MM.... The simplicity of yours is looking very appealing actualy...

I'm glad to hear that, because I designed those s/steel plates. Here's how they were when I bought the boat (as originally built by the yard).
Actually, I also had a functional reason to extend their length, i.e. to better protect the hull from the anchor while lifting it.
But I was also pleased with the aesthetic result, which doesn't hurt!

Anyhow, fwiw, on a vessel like yours I would definitely go for pocket anchors with horizontal windlass - whatever the anchor type/material.
But I'm biased... Looking forward to seeing your final choice!

 

[Bajansailor]

These folk have the traditional type of Dutch anchor, but only galvanised, not in S/S :
http://www.toplicht.de/en/shop/anker-und-ketten/anker/plattenanker/klippanker

Similarly, Defender in the USA have a 50 kg Manson type - http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2276108|2276109|2276112&id=909571

Thank you for posting all of those excellent photos of the build so far. Although I am just wondering why you haven't put a canopy up to protect her from the elements, especially as there seems to be a framework in place already for this?
Will you be completely blasting the steelwork (inside and out) again on completion of welding, or just blast the welds?

 

[Robg71]

The hull will be taken black to SA2.5, which is bright shiny metal... The frame work will indeed be used for wrapping. Its a large scale heat shrink. Once its up, put some heaters inside and voila... Instant tent...


The delivery was completelymagainst us, the yard was flooded and in a mess. So it was deemed pointless putting canopy up,straight away. We will need it though before we start full welding. As a draught will soon cause porosity in the weld due to blowing away tne argon gas shield from welding torch.

 

[Robg71]

I have four more pics to host, bloody no photobuket

 

[JerseyDiver]

I have four more pics to host, bloody no photobuket

Your photo manager is on it !!

 

[rustybarge]

Fantastic progress, I just love steel fabrication.
The Tupperware punters don't realise how adaptable it is as a material, you can build absolutely anywhere there is electricity.
Change the design half way through, no problem! try that with fiberglass....

.....the big question, will the prop tunnels fit first time, that's the real challenge![ I would have fitted them first]

 

[vas]

.....the big question, will the prop tunnels fit first time, that's the real challenge![ I would have fitted them first]

oh, come on rb, that's why god invented angle grinders, no?



nice progress, pics are a tad cr4p though, which is good as it probably means they are better at steelwork rather than photography

V.

 

[rustybarge]

oh, come on rb, that's why god invented angle grinders, no?



nice progress, pics are a tad cr4p though, which is good as it probably means they are better at steelwork rather than photography

V.

...and a sledge hammer, 5 ton block and tackle and chain, concrete blocks, 2" by 4" wooden poles, wedges, gas torch......and last but not least, angle grinder.

useful vernacular vocabulary....'Adjust that with the hammer'

 

[Robg71]

Theres good reason we didnt fit the tunnels first.....
Were still playing with stuff in that area
Told you we were fluid

Hammers... Gentle persuaders of all things metallic...

Thats the first of the side plates going in...

 

[Robg71]

Thats me started to mae my way up from the depths of work. Should be home next week, so in depth report after. Will be in wales for at least three or four days to start with.... Much to discuss

 

[Robg71]

The fore deck, side decks and aft deck are on
Photos to follow......

Also transom in

 

[JerseyDiver]

looks good rob. Really cracking on. I see the exhaust tubes are still in place but are you doing something different now ??

 

[vas]

impressive,

it's soooo tempting getting on a plane and visiting the yard to check fit clearances between panels at all these odd angles

well done, at that rate he's going to have the superstructure on before the end of the month!

V.

 

[Robg71]

Exhaust tube are staying in place, as they are also the former for the rubbing strakes...
I may use them as outlets from the engine room, so as not pressurising, but certainly wont be exhaust pipes in there....
Maybe generator, but definitely not main engines....

 

[Robg71]

impressive,

it's soooo tempting getting on a plane and visiting the yard to check fit clearances between panels at all these odd angles

well done, at that rate he's going to have the superstructure on before the end of the month!

V.

Your more than welcome for a visit anytime... I have a heli flight home on friday, wales on monday for several days....

 

[rustybarge]

Exhaust tube are staying in place, as they are also the former for the rubbing strakes...
I may use them as outlets from the engine room, so as not pressurising, but certainly wont be exhaust pipes in there....
Maybe generator, but definitely not main engines....

All the trawlers seem to have dry stacks, but they do tend to make a bit of a racket and belch out smoke....not so good on a sleek planing boat.

What about keel cooling, a lot simpler than heat exchangers.

Edit..won't work on a planing boat.

 

[Robg71]

Which is exactly why we wont have them
I was not particularly clear, sorry... The framework is installed for exhaust pipes in the rubbing strakes.... They wont be used... The pipework does not have enough fall, and also is not big enough anyway...
We are using a wet exhaust, into a large expansion chamber exiting under the water line.

 

[kashurst]

Is everything just tack welded at the moment to allow for a bit of tweaking? If so how long will it take to seam weld it all? Looking good already. Thanks for posting

 

[Robg71]

Yes, no full length welding done until the whole vessel is done...
Ermm ... No idea, probably about a week. Its mig welded so its fairly rapid process...

 

[Robg71]

.

What about keel cooling, a lot simpler than heat exchangers.

Edit..won't work on a planing boat.

Why not?? Obviously drag is a factor of coil/tube type.... I am thimking of possibility of tube in the small keel.... Its an idea... Obviously not bolted direct to bottom of hull.... Other thought is how about a double skin hull type arrangement... Cooled through the hull plates... Another daft idea maybe....!!!


I have the first GA drawing with me as well im impressed so far. We have a good series of drawings for discussion with the yard...
Three cabins, three ensuites... Going to dispense with one of them though... Think two heads is enough..