Building an Aluminum catamaran

[jjhubers]

I'm going to be building a 48' catamaran and I was wondering if anybody had any information about aluminum cats. Would an aluminum cat perform and be as safe as another cat with the same design?

thanks for any information you can give

[brian eiland]

Aluminium is not a problem. And are you familiar with the newer alum product getting fairly wide spread usage in Europe, Alustar?? Just don't ask for multihulls of steel that I get a fair number of request for.

I would suggest that you look thru the metal boatbuilding section of this forum, as well as do a 'search' of the whole forum using the search tool above, and do a google search of the subject. There is a world of info out there. Then come back with more specific questions.

Have you chosen a specific design or designer?? (quote 48 cat) Are you looking to build yourself or have it built?

[Thunderhead19]

Design is everything. Aluminum has a higher strength to weight ratio than steel, and doesn't rust. It does fatigue though.

[jjhubers]

do you know if aluminum has a higher strength to weight ratio than fiberglass or other composites people use to build cats?

[Thunderhead19]

Properly engineered glass would have a higher strength to weight ratio than aluminum

[danmarine]

Hi jj,

Two very experienced and knowledgeable sea men that I know well have built aluminum cats.

These two boats are made for the charter business and there website can be viewed at www.far-way.net . The cat chameleon has a well documented supplement on this website about the construction and fit out work carried out in Thailand.

Both of these boats have very impressive performance and are (perhaps) the ultimate in aluminum boats.

The naval architect Tim Mumby, based in Brisbane, Australia, is well worth a look… http://www.waynehill.com.au/sailing_multihulls.htm

On the question of safety in using aluminum, I would personally think the only material to rival it is steel. The weight (and therefore performance) and rust factor often make steel a second best when compared to Aluminum. If constructed and maintained properly, Aluminum is one of the easiest to maintain and strongest boat building materials.

Of course there is a down side; Special attention should be given to the following;
Welding methods, electrical circuits and grounding/earthing, special aluminum paints, other metals used as fixing ect.

“Mozart” has achieved 24 hour runs of almost 325 miles, cruising speeds of 10+ knots and peaks of 15+ knots. As you can see aluminum does not have to mean poor performance! Of course this is all relative, ie sail plans, hull shape ect.

Good luck on your research,

Dan

[John Martin]

My son and I just finished building the Glen L 16' Hellcat with plywood and epoxy. We are extremely pleased with the results. Glen L has plans for an 18' boat, but I am interested in a 20-22' boat. I would like to consider the boat in alumninum, but have no experience either in building myself or hiring a builder. Can anyone offer advice as to designs or builders? We are located in South Carolina.

[Mynx]

Check out this owner's very well documented site. The Osram VII 50' catamaran is a fascinating read. Unfortunately,he had to sell it before completion due to divorce. I wonder if that has ever happened before?

http://www.mala.bc.ca/~bigras/


Jay

[EmilSB]

hi,
Maybe this link will help you.
http://www.vripack.com/articles/alu-stl.htm

[Bob Mott]

Own a 48 foot alloy cat just launched. Please view www.far-away.net for details of Chameleon. Mozart is the sistership.

My freind is the designer and builder.

We can build in Thailand to world standard and are entering into a project to do so with a large Thai building company that specialises in Alloy construction.

Price will be extremely compeditive.

Would expect the finishe dprice to be around 300,000/350,000US$ complete.

There are 8 of these cats in the water with one in The Phillipines, 3 in Phuket, 2 in Australia, 1 and earlier version in Sweden.

Yes they are safe - this is my third big cat with the first being composite and ply the second alloy. I will always go for alloy now.

Do you want to know more.

Regards

Bob

Originally Posted by jjhubers

I'm going to be building a 48' catamaran and I was wondering if anybody had any information about aluminum cats. Would an aluminum cat perform and be as safe as another cat with the same design?

thanks for any information you can give

[Gerard Kennedy]

A project is due to begin around May/June 2005 in Thailand building 3 to 5 X 50 foot alluminium custom cats. The first stage will include hull and deck, daggerboards , kickup alloy rudders with stainless shaft , cross arm steering , fabricated alluminium hatches, engine beds , stern tubes, "P" bracket , 4mm hull and deck.

Projected estimate to this stage of completion 120,000US$.

Based on labour rate of 10US$ an hour plus materials.

This rate includes yard facilities and equipment used and anz administration costs plus launching.

The rate applys to all work done from fabricators, welders, machists, engine and electical engineers, office staff all one rate.

Fit out dependant on level of equipment installed and finish required

The cats will be built at a professionally run and equipped boat building ard that has built alluminium naval and commercial craft in the past.

The company is BOI registered Thailand Board Of Investment. No duty or tax is charged on incoming materials or equipement.

The yard has travel lift facilities and is on a river a few miles the ocean and has fabrication sheds, fittout sheds and office facilities.

If anyone is interested in the project please contact me for a ongoing report.

[kengaroo4u]

Hello,

Please, send me info on your alu boat building project. Such as materials used, staff, and economic stability for investing in the regin.


ken

[Gerard Kennedy]

Hello,
Could you advise a little more information to lizardoz@loxinfo.co.th email address please.

Presently I am racing in Langkawi Malaysia - www.langkawiregatta.com in racing multi division. So far 3 X line honour and 3 X 1st in handicap wins with two more races to go.

Have already won the division and am now trying for a clean sweep with 5 out of 5. Have a pretty tough handicap at .950.

Will be building 5 + of these cats in Thailand. They will be quite modified and faster again but still fitted out for cruising and or charter with all the mod cons.

They are competitive in pretty well all wind conditions including un 10 knots.I will be back in Thailand on the 10th and will get back to you then.

Gerard

[peter northaus]

Gerard, I am very interested in further information on the boats being built. Please send me all you have to dozeringram@hotmail.com. cheers Peter

[Bob Mott]

tried to reply to you email address but the email bounced back. Please advise a address that works