Wood or GRP

[lead zeppelin]

Hi Guys and Girls,

Brand new here, (although been reading Classic boat for a number of years).

I have only ever owned "plastic" dingy size craft. Wanting to move up to Trailer sailor size, (22ft ?). The problem. Living in the Middle East. Summer temperatures of around 50 deg Celsius and very high salinity of water.

Firstly, what meathod of construction would fair better in this climate, ( Longevity, maintanence,etc) Wood or GRP?

Secondly, bearing that in mind, looking for something with "classic" looks and a good single hander.

Any advice or ideas welcome,

Thanks,

LZ

 

[peter radclyffe]

glass is less work

 

[Poignard]

Quote: Summer temperatures of around 50 deg Celsius
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That's going to be very hard on paint and varnish. Also the wood will dry out and shrink so you'll have seams opening up

 

[Peterduck]

I've tried 44 deg. and didn't like it. I missed out on last february's 46 deg, thank goodness. Wood would definitely require more attention than usual in that climate. I think a small submarine would be more appropriate for that part of the world! Rethink; with half the world's navies in that area looking for suspicious craft, perhaps that would not be the best idea of the week!
Peter.

 

[SmileyGiley]

LZ (or the airship out in front!!!)

Stick to Dinghies - very close to the shore. Our Small boat training school is planned to move from Northern Europe to a place in the Middle East soon. Our senior trainer went down there to test out the new boats and appraise the area for training ops. Permits filled out, not doing anything suspicious, he was arrested for espionage and spent several months in jail. Our company is a very large worldwide oil related concern with a hefty legal department & that's how long it took them to sort it all out. It even went to trial & he was found guilty (possibility of 20 years inside) but it was sorted out at the next stage. OK, I'm aware thats often "how it goes" in the middle east, but still - you want some of that action? Stick close to the launching area, sail with other boats (ie dinghy racing is ideal) and don't stay out too late.

Not that I'm scare mongering or anything!!!

 

[peter radclyffe]

in that heat dinghies are more like frying pans

 

[lead zeppelin]

GRP it shall be

Thanks for all the advice,

I guess GRP will last longer and be a lot less maintanence. (Really fancied a small wooden boat, but I guess that will have to wait till I move on.)

I have to say that sailing here in summer is limited due to the heat, so most boats sit for the duration of the worst of the heat. Typically about four months out the water.

So I'll start the search for something practical and see what happens.

LZ

 

[maffra]

Having had both in both climates, Fibreglass is better in both hot & cold, wood is good in cold also,& not suitable in hot climates. Any size yacht is good to sail ,but sailing dinghies has that special feeling that larger yachts don't give.
Sometimes larger yachts feel like barges compared to a beautiful sailing dinghy,it is the only way to learn the art of sailing.