Houseboat Project

[Kristal]

Well, my friend and I have missed our opportunity to snap up a dirt-cheap GRP houseboat shell on Ebay. There were a few risks we couldn't take, not least that we couldn't inspect the hull in time, and so may have missed the only chance of getting any hull for some time.

I did think of another option - it isn't cheap, but there would be no rushing about, and the hull could be built to my own design, and therefore more aesthetically pleasing. I am thinking about Ferro-Cement. I know nothing about it, but am presuming it to be the most cost-effective way of building a boat for which performance is not a consideration - or at least the hull.

Does anyone know of any houseboats being constructed in this way, and give me some idea of whether it's a good idea or not? As I say, I know very little, and am guessing this might be the best way, but would value opinions.

Thanks,

/<

 

[Ships_Cat]

I am aware of one 40 foot long ferro cement houseboat here in New Zealand and I have actually, some 10 years ago now, been for a ride on it. It was outboard motor powered. Not sure if it is still around and forgotten how old it would be but must be 25 or more years.

Any mention of ferro boats will bring forth an argument but they can be a good buy second as no one wants to pay much for them. But to build one I think is nonsensical given that most other materials are at least as good (many, including myself, would say better) and will at least have a better resale value.

It is often claimed that a ferro boat is cheap to build, but as the hull cost is only a small proportion of the total build cost of a well finished boat they are only cheap to build if you build a cheap boat, if you see what I mean.

Very difficult to get serious opinion from ferro boat owners themselves as they seem to belong to some sort of an unswayable cult, but until a couple of years ago I ran a company which employed 35 surveyors and it was mutually agreed that we would refuse to survey any ferro boats due to the risks involved with them.

Hope that has put you off, whoops, I mean hope that has been useful /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John

 

[Kristal]

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Well, perhaps...

I think cheaper is how I should have put it. I have never thought of Ferro-Cement as being a material I'd like a cruiser made out of, but for a hull which designed be stationary (and engineless) I wouldn't mind so much. I'm just quite taken with the possibility of designing a hull, albeit a very simple non-performance one, and building it relatively simply.

But as I said, I know nothing about it, and may well be mistaken.

 

[Forbsie]

There is a ferro yacht being build/repaired in my mate's yard on Eel Pie at the moment. Currently surrounded by wire mesh waiting for the concrete so maybe just the right stage for you to come up and have a looksee.

 

[wishbone]

Sorry but the best place for concrete is for flyovers and boots when you want to bump someone off!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wishbone]

Should I duck Now???

 

[Talbot]

Ferro has got a bad name, primarily due to poorly plastered home builds. A professionally built hull should be an excellent choice for a solid liveaboard. Due to their poor reputation, there are normally a number of professionally built ferro boats on the market at very silly prices.

A ferro coating has also been long recognised as the only way to resurrect a wooden yacht that was past its renovation end-date. There are a lot of sites on the net about this so happy googling.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just searched the yachts for sale section on this website, advanced search, "sail" and all countries, sizes, prices, etc. They are listing 66 ferro-cement sailing yachts for sale of various sizes and prices. Click on "boats for sale" at the top of the page.

 

[Ships_Cat]

If you wanted something, as I take from your reply, that would never be moved and growth could be allowed to grow on the bottom uncontrolled forever, then ferro might be a reasonable choice from the point of view that you would never have to worry about lifting it for cleaning and repair painting underwater.

The "vessel" not being mobile also reduces the likelihood of ferro hassles of trying to permanently repair damage below the waterline from collision of groundings (permanent, long lived repairs not as easy as some make out).

Perhaps an unwanted second hand concrete swimming pool could be converted /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John

 

[claudio]

I assume (from your BIO) that you're looking for something in the UK. Have you considered a barge?

Check this out here

There a 100ft Thames Lighter for £14k, needs some work /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Claudio

 

[jeanne]

Having built and sailed a ferro boat for 20 years, I am tempted todebate (once again!) the merits of ferro as a build material...but I won´t! However, I am sure it would be a great material for such a project, there are several barges in the Bristol Channel area that are now used for clubhouses etc that were built during WWII and still in great condition. BUT, although cheap, it is a very labour intensive and time consuming way of building, especially for something as large as a houseboat. Insurance can be a problem as well, although lately more companies are taking on ferro again as long as it is surveyed during build and cure. Perhaps you would be better off finding a lighter or barge to fit out. Depends on the time scale really and how many hands you have for the project. Good luck.

 

[roly_voya]

Lots of people seam to have missed the point and got into the ferro boat debate - from you query it sound as if you are looking at a comercial wt ferro lighter which is a completly different animal and I think generally built by casting into a shuttering mould not plastering. Given that the wt is not so crittical many of the problems with ferro yachts can be avoided and there are lots of successful ones supporting verious buildings. Try serching comercial shipping builders/broackers for sources rather than boat builders or even concreat construction companies

 

[Kristal]

A concrete swimming pool sounds perfect!

Perhaps I can waylay some of this cynicism by attempting to point out my reasons for this line of enquiry - and that's all it is, cos I really don't know anything about Ferro at all. But I won't be building a hull out of steel, timber, nor GRP, unless I can arrange a horrific accident for both of my parents at the same time...

Look, I've already got a yacht that is beautiful, fast, solid and beloved. This is something else entirely, something I realise is reprehensible to the wider boating community. I'm not looking for anything other than a floating slab, with pretty lines above the water, with about 50ft x 10ft internal area, and about 4ft of internal depth. Because, frankly, what with Crystal to look after, and a job in Central London, I can't afford anywhere else to live.

The Lighter is an idea I've considered beforehand, and a very attractive one it is too, except generally they're too big, ugly, and expensive. I've discovered that residential moorings are far easier to come by if your boat isn't an eyesore - and with Ferro, I stand a better chance of making her look nice enough.

Thanks for all the opinions on this, though - a very important part of the planning process, which is where YBW really comes into it's own. Cheers!

/<