95 Ft. Yacht Construction

[Barron]

Hello everyone,

I am heading to a boat yard tomorrow to discuss final terms on a boat I am strongly considering buying and converting it into a private yacht, this will be my project boat. I have a builder meeting me but I would like some thoughts on the build. I am considering using steel for the upper structures and wood on the floor of the second level, with wood structure, foam walls finished with insulation and covered with fiberglass. Question is what type of or grade of steel and is wood an option ? I am concerned with the vessel being top heavy but I think it will be ok, we will see once the calculations come back.

Details as it is:

LOA – 95 Feet
Beam – 23.9 Feet
Draft – 8.2 Feet
Ballast - 51 Tons
Displacement – 44 Tons

Thank you for reading my post and yes, I am crazy.

[peter radclyffe]

Originally Posted by Barron

Hello everyone,

I am heading to a boat yard tomorrow to discuss final terms on a boat I am strongly considering buying and converting it into a private yacht, this will be my project boat. I have a builder meeting me but I would like some thoughts on the build. I am considering using steel for the upper structures and wood on the floor of the second level, with wood structure, foam walls finished with insulation and covered with fiberglass. Question is what type of or grade of steel and is wood an option ? I am concerned with the vessel being top heavy but I think it will be ok, we will see once the calculations come back.

Details as it is:

LOA – 95 Feet
Beam – 23.9 Feet
Draft – 8.2 Feet
Ballast - 51 Tons
Displacement – 44 Tons

Thank you for reading my post and yes, I am crazy.

are these weights correct,or is the 44 tons thames measurement, aluminium is better if cost is no problem

[Jarrod]

Hi,

I agree, I would strongly recommend using aluminum for the superstructure if possible.

[mydauphin]

Barron,
You better have a Barrons money in your bank account. Do not underestimate the cost of anything on a boat this size. It is a large boat. I don't believe your weight numbers 44tons. That is what my Aluminum 72' x 15' beam with 3 foot draft weights. At least double it.

With 8 foot draft, Cg is not your biggest problem. I would go with Steel, much cheaper to buy and weld. Engineer it well and it might surprise how light you can make it. I am an Aluminum guy, but why make this more costly to reduce a 4 tons? It is a heavy boat no matter what you do to it. Your not going to be pulling with a trailer, right?

What are engines and running gear like... Have the hull survey with someone with a thickness meter and have then check for rust before you buy. You don't want to buy boat and have to replace half the plating on it.

Like I said, have a good wallet...

If you are going to add that superstructure you have no choice, cost or not, you MUST do it in Aluminium. Even then it will be topheavy I guess. The cost of that structure is not much different in steel or Alu, `cos Al is much faster done. It´s just the "Triclad" that´s a bit expensive, but on that project you´ll not notice some one or two K bucks.
But is it really a must, to add that much accommodation to the upper deck?
If you could live with a enclosed main deck, saloon, dining, galley. That done in Wood composite, Alu or (if possible) steel, you could end up with a still seaworthy ship. I doubt that very much, if there is a structure added like your sketch shows.
Check your weight calculations, or sources... that boat shown is NEVER a 44 tonnes boat. may be twice is right.
Regards
Richard

[Landlubber]

Yep alloy super for sure, and I too do not believe the dwt. Not realistic, sorry mate.

[Boston]

be sure and have a good contract with a reputable builder
talk to some of his customers
check his references
having been in the building trade for years Ive seen guys who had all the stuff and certainly looked the part that couldnt build for beans
and seen guys that you would think just got out of prison
who were spectacular builders
best of luck
B

[daiquiri]

Barron, that is a nice vintage ship and can be transformed into a beautiful classic-style yacht, of the type that is (or at least was until a year ago) pretty requested for charters in Med. Man, I can already visualize what it could become! (where is the "love" smiley???)
So may I suggest you not to ruin it with a high-tech spaceship-looking superstructure and to use a design more in-line with the hull form and age? That's IMHO, of course, and since you're putting the money you have the right to do what you want with it.

Originally Posted by daiquiri

Barron, that is a nice vintage ship and can be transformed into a beautiful classic-style yacht, of the type that is (or at least was until a year ago) pretty requested for charters in Med. Man, I can already visualize what it could become! (where is the "love" smiley???)

I guess we have almost the same picture in mind, with that solo standing Wheelhouse, a (wooden?) saloon on the main deck, and the classical looks of a "research" vessel, she could turn heads. With a spaceship like look, she will be just another example of a "cheap conversion", although at possibly twice the cost.

Regards
Richard

[Barron]

Peter,

The yard assures me of the weight, however today when I get there I will look at all the documentation. Aluminum, yes that is a strong thought also due to the weight.

Originally Posted by peter radclyffe

are these weights correct,or is the 44 tons thames measurement, aluminium is better if cost is no problem

[Barron]

Jarrod,

Thank you for your comments, I will strongly consider Aluminum.

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Hi,

I agree, I would strongly recommend using aluminum for the superstructure if possible.

[Barron]

mydauphin,

Thanks for your comments, don't worry, my bank account is not an issue. With that said, thank you for your comments. I will verify the weight today and I will have that answer. Steel or Aluminum is the choice I will have to make unless the builder tells me I have not choice and to use Aluminum. The engines are solid as is the gearing, the boat was just taken out of service and replaced with a newer vessel. Yes I will have the builder check everything oh and no, no trailers....................

Originally Posted by mydauphin

Barron,
You better have a Barrons money in your bank account. Do not underestimate the cost of anything on a boat this size. It is a large boat. I don't believe your weight numbers 44tons. That is what my Aluminum 72' x 15' beam with 3 foot draft weights. At least double it.

With 8 foot draft, Cg is not your biggest problem. I would go with Steel, much cheaper to buy and weld. Engineer it well and it might surprise how light you can make it. I am an Aluminum guy, but why make this more costly to reduce a 4 tons? It is a heavy boat no matter what you do to it. Your not going to be pulling with a trailer, right?

What are engines and running gear like... Have the hull survey with someone with a thickness meter and have then check for rust before you buy. You don't want to buy boat and have to replace half the plating on it.

Like I said, have a good wallet...

[Barron]

apex1,

thanks for the comments and I will consider Aluminium.

Originally Posted by apex1

If you are going to add that superstructure you have no choice, cost or not, you MUST do it in Aluminium. Even then it will be topheavy I guess. The cost of that structure is not much different in steel or Alu, `cos Al is much faster done. It´s just the "Triclad" that´s a bit expensive, but on that project you´ll not notice some one or two K bucks.
But is it really a must, to add that much accommodation to the upper deck?
If you could live with a enclosed main deck, saloon, dining, galley. That done in Wood composite, Alu or (if possible) steel, you could end up with a still seaworthy ship. I doubt that very much, if there is a structure added like your sketch shows.
Check your weight calculations, or sources... that boat shown is NEVER a 44 tonnes boat. may be twice is right.
Regards
Richard

[Barron]

daiquiri,

Thanks for the comments, but what other people want and what I want are 2 different things as this will not be a charter but a private boat. I am quite fond of my idea and I don't think what I am proposing is ruining the boat, IMHO. However, what type of design are you talking about ?

Originally Posted by daiquiri

Barron, that is a nice vintage ship and can be transformed into a beautiful classic-style yacht, of the type that is (or at least was until a year ago) pretty requested for charters in Med. Man, I can already visualize what it could become! (where is the "love" smiley???)
So may I suggest you not to ruin it with a high-tech spaceship-looking superstructure and to use a design more in-line with the hull form and age? That's IMHO, of course, and since you're putting the money you have the right to do what you want with it.

[Barron]

Landlubber,

Thanks for the comment. Boy I am going to have to pay attention to this weight issue.

Originally Posted by Landlubber

Yep alloy super for sure, and I too do not believe the dwt. Not realistic, sorry mate.