GRP Hull Life Span/Weaknesses

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echo

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Anybody familiar with Aquabell 33 ''Alert II'' operated by Essex Police marine section back in 1975?


Found this online at www.essex.police.uk:
''On the 3rd of February 1974 the Marine Section took possession of a purpose built Aqua Bell 33, fitted with twin 180hp Ford Mermaid turbo diesel engines, which gave her a top speed of 28 knots. She had a bilge design hull, flying bridge, selfbaling cockpit and cost £17,567-00. Named Alert 11, the new craft was taken to her new home base at Bradwell Marina, from where she would patrol the coast and rivers as far as Harwich and the River Stour. ''

But in 1982, 8 years later, ''weaknesses were discovered in her hull'' and she was replaced.


I suppose Aquabells aren't really suited to such a demanding role.I assume there were cracks in the hull. But what would have caused such weaknesses to such a new boat? Daily use a demanding role? Heavy weather? towing?

How much abuse can a GRP hull withstand?


Echo.
 
She is still in use (privately) and the last time I saw her she was sitting on chocks at Burnham Marina, being myself a retired Met copper I can understand why she got a few dinks and cracks, but that would be another story, all I can tell you is she still looks good. Speak to Burnham Marina they may be able to assist you further. One thing I would disagree with is the 28knots with only 360 horses under the bonnet, unless she was built light. Ours will not get anywhere near that speed, and we have the same horse power. I think you ought to speak to David at Bell Boats 01603 713013
he would have had a hand in building her.
 
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echo said:
How much abuse can a GRP hull withstand?


Echo.
Click to expand...

Very much depends on where and when built, I've been having discussions with surveyors and insurance companies regarding the merits of older boats compared to some of the modern offerings and lets just say the older ones compare favourably - structurally anyway.
 
Bit of an article of faith really, but condensed from conversations with a friendly surveyor and various experienced boaters.

Boats designed and built pre the 1973 oil crisis enjoyed the twin advantages of not being designed to a budget on a computer and the raw materials being extremely cheap. As a consequence any area where strength was critical, or there was doubt, was simply beefed up with more matting and resin until someone said "Enough". Post 1973 until the early 1980s the cost of materials went up, but labour rates still made the addition of extra layers an economically viable choice. Relatively few boats were built for stock so pressure on build times was relatively low and there was time to allow long curing to take place, together with caution in the use of a realtively new material..

As the 1980s turned to the 1990s computer aided design became more available and the overengineering of earlier times was scaled back as costs of raw materials and labour rose, toegther with increased demand for boats and increased demand for performance drove decision making towards lighter structures and faster build times to permit a level of stock to be held. Engines became lighter for the same power output thus engine bearing structures could be less substantial.

Compare, at the extremes, the number of Freemans in service as a proportion of those made, to the number of Bayliners.

This is fairly good news for the less-well off boater because an older hull, despite the wear and tear of 30 years or more, will quite possibly have been more substantially constucted than a newer one. But still get a proper survey!
 
Omega2,
Good to hear she is still being used.Just goes to show the quality of the construction! Was a bit surprised to see the 28 knots myself! I wonder was she stripped out to the basics for the police role? and the new engines? But still still 28 knots with 360 hp would be impressive!
Thanks for the contact.

Searush,
Sounds like she is well built! What type of boat is it?


WhiteMischief,
Good to hear! They don't build em like they used to!


Andrew Fanner,
Really interesting article, cheers! But yes, I agree with you about the survey.


Moonraker 36,
I assume from your username it was a moonraker, was it built by Bell Boats?


Thanks for all the replies,
Echo.
 
hi echo.
she was built '72 by bell&buxton hull designed by robert tucker ,so yes bell would have played a hand in it.
bell&buxton later became jcl marine with colin chapman.
aqua fibre started off in 1960's with bell.
think it's been pointed out to you already but you can find a small bit of info on bell(aqua fibre)on the moonraker site.if your boat is built anything like mine..should last another 30yrs..!!no prob's
 
Andrew_Fanner said:
Bit of an article of faith really, but condensed from conversations with a friendly surveyor and various experienced boaters.

Boats designed and built pre the 1973 oil crisis enjoyed the twin advantages of not being designed to a budget on a computer and the raw materials being extremely cheap. As a consequence any area where strength was critical, or there was doubt, was simply beefed up with more matting and resin until someone said "Enough". Post 1973 until the early 1980s the cost of materials went up, but labour rates still made the addition of extra layers an economically viable choice. Relatively few boats were built for stock so pressure on build times was relatively low and there was time to allow long curing to take place, together with caution in the use of a realtively new material..

As the 1980s turned to the 1990s computer aided design became more available and the overengineering of earlier times was scaled back as costs of raw materials and labour rose, toegther with increased demand for boats and increased demand for performance drove decision making towards lighter structures and faster build times to permit a level of stock to be held. Engines became lighter for the same power output thus engine bearing structures could be less substantial.

Compare, at the extremes, the number of Freemans in service as a proportion of those made, to the number of Bayliners.

This is fairly good news for the less-well off boater because an older hull, despite the wear and tear of 30 years or more, will quite possibly have been more substantially constucted than a newer one. But still get a proper survey!
Click to expand...

that all makes perfect sense.. but I do like the idea of boats being built with the concept of the chap layering up the matting and resin deciding when enough is enough rather than the accountants...
 
moonraker 36 said:
hi echo.
she was built '72 by bell&buxton hull designed by robert tucker ,so yes bell would have played a hand in it.
bell&buxton later became jcl marine with colin chapman.
aqua fibre started off in 1960's with bell.
think it's been pointed out to you already but you can find a small bit of info on bell(aqua fibre)on the moonraker site.if your boat is built anything like mine..should last another 30yrs..!!no prob's
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Moonraker & yes, I have that link.


Echo.
 
echo said:
Anybody familiar with Aquabell 33 ''Alert II'' operated by Essex Police marine section back in 1975?


Found this online at www.essex.police.uk:
''On the 3rd of February 1974 the Marine Section took possession of a purpose built Aqua Bell 33, fitted with twin 180hp Ford Mermaid turbo diesel engines, which gave her a top speed of 28 knots.

But in 1982, 8 years later, ''weaknesses were discovered in her hull'' and she was replaced.




Echo.
Click to expand...


Around that time I ran a large Auction which sold Police Vehicles and Equipment. Most of the time unnecessary disposals as it appeared that the criteria for disposal was age related and not condition.
So it would not surprise me that the reason that the Police got rid of the Aqua Bell is that it reached 8 years old and they just wanted another one, but used the weaknesses in the hull as an excuse to put the request for another one to whoever controlled their budget.
 
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