JOHNPEET
Well-Known Member
Does anybody have any experience of building a steel cuiser from a pre-cut kit?
Steel boats built from a pre-cut kit
- Thread starter JOHNPEET
- Start date
John_d_Smith
Well-Known Member
No personal experience, but there was a mag many moons ago called Practical Motor Cruiser and they ran a series by a guy who built a De Groot called Pershilla. I think he is a forumite and may well be found with a search.
goochie
Well-Known Member
There is a lot of excellent info on the Bruce Roberts website.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Ok Here I am, What do you need to know?
Pershilla is 21 years old this year and still going strong, in her last survey she was described as better than new, due to regular upgrading of equipment and normal maintenance.
Epoxy inside and out from new and you've got a boat for life!
By the way John it was 'Popular Motor Cruiser' sadly it wasn't popular enough!!!
Pershilla is 21 years old this year and still going strong, in her last survey she was described as better than new, due to regular upgrading of equipment and normal maintenance.
Epoxy inside and out from new and you've got a boat for life!
By the way John it was 'Popular Motor Cruiser' sadly it wasn't popular enough!!!
JOHNPEET
Well-Known Member
HI PCUK.
I am presently considering the self build of a Girraween AL1200FA from a pre-cut steel kit. (12metre motor cruiser with aft cabin and fly-bridge - see http://www.girraween.nl/ALM1200FA.pdf) The kit would be cut in Holland from pre-grit blasted and primed steel. The hull would be sprayed on the internals with foam insulation which is intended to both insulate and protect the steel from oxygen/moisture etc.
Basically, at this stage I would be grateful for any advice from people who have embarked on similar projects and have almost certainly gained a great wealth of knowledge and experience during the process.
Its good to hear that your boat is in excellent condition after 21 years.
My e.mail address is John@peet.fsnet.co.uk if you have the time and patience, I have about 150 questions that I would like to ask!!
John
I am presently considering the self build of a Girraween AL1200FA from a pre-cut steel kit. (12metre motor cruiser with aft cabin and fly-bridge - see http://www.girraween.nl/ALM1200FA.pdf) The kit would be cut in Holland from pre-grit blasted and primed steel. The hull would be sprayed on the internals with foam insulation which is intended to both insulate and protect the steel from oxygen/moisture etc.
Basically, at this stage I would be grateful for any advice from people who have embarked on similar projects and have almost certainly gained a great wealth of knowledge and experience during the process.
Its good to hear that your boat is in excellent condition after 21 years.
My e.mail address is John@peet.fsnet.co.uk if you have the time and patience, I have about 150 questions that I would like to ask!!
John
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
The inside is more important than the outside.
DO NOT just rely on the spray insulation. Grit blast then at least 3 coats of epoxy before spraying with closed cell polyurethane foam down to waterline only. Below waterline paint with white epoxy bilge paint for easy cleaning and to spot damage / rust
DO NOT just rely on the spray insulation. Grit blast then at least 3 coats of epoxy before spraying with closed cell polyurethane foam down to waterline only. Below waterline paint with white epoxy bilge paint for easy cleaning and to spot damage / rust
adrianm
Well-Known Member
Mine was built from a Bruce Roberts kit by a yard in Holland.
The single biggest problem with mine is the coating job. Looks great from a distance but when you get close you can see all the bits they had trouble grit-blasting.
When it comes to the finish the steel has to be squeeky clean before any coating is applied otherwise you'll get rust coming through in less than a year.
Lots of maintenance on a steel boat but I still feel happier with it than any plastic boat I've owned.
That kit looks an awful lot like a Bruce Roberts Euro 1200.
Mine is a Euro 1600 and is the one (Sweet Sixteen) on the Bruce Roberts website.
The single biggest problem with mine is the coating job. Looks great from a distance but when you get close you can see all the bits they had trouble grit-blasting.
When it comes to the finish the steel has to be squeeky clean before any coating is applied otherwise you'll get rust coming through in less than a year.
Lots of maintenance on a steel boat but I still feel happier with it than any plastic boat I've owned.
That kit looks an awful lot like a Bruce Roberts Euro 1200.
Mine is a Euro 1600 and is the one (Sweet Sixteen) on the Bruce Roberts website.
