Steel hull with wooden structure

Hello,

My question is, is it possible to have a boat that is all steel and build a wooden structure on the back similar to the attachment. Has anyone heard of this and how practical is it ?


Barron

 

anything is possible.
BUT, it depends upon several factors, ie things like weight, cost etc. The main one being:

What regulations does it need to meet?

This will dictate how the entire design goes together and ultimately, whether it will work. Since the Class/Flag regulations will dictate the method of construction that is feasible, the structural loads, the fire and safety requirements etc etc. Once you have gone through this loop, and found that the weight/time/cost etc becomes prohibitive, you may come to a conclusion of your own.

 

It can be done, as it has been done in the past times.
Ad Hoc's points are to be considered, because you will have to comply to your local regulations.
From the mere constructive point of view, you will have to either stabilize the moisture content of wood (by encapsulating it or by impregnating it with resin) and/or to properly design the structure and the steel-wood joints in order to allow for wood shrinkage and swelling (particularly transversal to the grain, which can arrive to 2-3%) due to moisture variability.

 

Great points. Where might one find a good source of steel in Florida ?