Old steel boat - are riveted hulls any good and what lies ahead?

[Timber wolf]

Originally Posted by ACuttle

Do you have any photo's of this boat? I have a feeling I might have done some work on her a few year back - just the way you've descride things.

Hi there thanks for reply .The boat is small enough 27ft/9 beam the name on it or what I can see is york.
Paul.

[ACuttle]

Originally Posted by Timber wolf

Hi there thanks for reply .The boat is small enough 27ft/9 beam the name on it or what I can see is york.
Paul.

Ah - a much smaller boat, than I thought. I wasn't aware there was that much with two props, in steel for that age of that kind of size. Live and learn. I'd be interested in seeing any photos still though - do you know what her purpose was?

[soapdodger]

I think I've bought the boat you're talking about, same construction, size and name.

I'll be posting some pictures up, Ive started work on the boat and would be interested in finding some info on her history.

[soapdodger]

Here's a pic of the boat, I haven't anything on the internet simmilar and of the same age. Theres a tank on the boat stamped with: ENGINESPETROL I.R.P B.S.M Co 1940.

Its a small tank, maybe for the paraffin lights installed.

[rayman]

landlubber, what's the story on the "skode" I don't remember her, I was on the river at that time, (QCL) and where did she go?? regards ray

[The Loftsman]

And so were many many other fine ships, all riveted, i find this quete pretty stupid

Originally Posted by Frosty

Titanic was riveted --and built in Ireland, where is it now--just sayin.

[The Loftsman]

And so were many many other fine ships, all riveted, i find this post pretty stupid

Originally Posted by Frosty

Titanic was riveted --and built in Ireland, where is it now--just sayin.

[The Loftsman]

Hi,
Depends a lot on whether the ship has spent her time in salt or fresh water, but a lot of old ships will be more than 50 years old and still retain 2/3rds of the original steel plate thickness
Some are more than 70 years old and still going, not many welded ships will get to this age.

[MikeJohns]

Originally Posted by The Loftsman

Hi,
Depends a lot on whether the ship has spent her time in salt or fresh water, but a lot of old ships will be more than 50 years old and still retain 2/3rds of the original steel plate thickness
Some are more than 70 years old and still going, not many welded ships will get to this age.

I think it depends chiefly on how well the coatings have been applied and maintained rather than whether it's used in seawater or not.

Leisure craft are usually subject to a considerably higher level of care than commercial vessels. Some old steel ocean cruising craft are pristine inside and out after many decades, and like any construction method will remain so unless they are poorly neglected.

Ships are built and maintained for a finite economic life and often allowed to corrode until finally rejected by class, then scrapped.

[The Loftsman]

Hi Mike,
Agree a lot also depends on how well looked after.

Originally Posted by MikeJohns

I think it depends chiefly on how well the coatings have been applied and maintained rather than whether it's used in seawater or not.

Leisure craft are usually subject to a considerably higher level of care than commercial vessels. Some old steel ocean cruising craft are pristine inside and out after many decades, and like any construction method will remain so unless they are poorly neglected.

Ships are built and maintained for a finite economic life and often allowed to corrode until finally rejected by class, then scrapped.

[FreeWill]

I have a 100 year old riveted steel dutch barge and was told by the blokes in the yard (and the internet, so it's virtually true) that sand blasting could damage rivets. We had to scrape every inch of her, inside and out, with tungsten carbide blades. A big job but we did eventually get rid of all the loose rust, then we applied a rust converter, then red oxide, then bitumen.
As others have said, GET A SURVEY, but theres no reason not to buy if she's been well looked after.

[MikeJohns]

Originally Posted by FreeWill

I have a 100 year old riveted steel dutch barge and was told by the blokes in the yard (and the internet, so it's virtually true) that sand blasting could damage rivets. We had to scrape every inch of her, inside and out, with tungsten carbide blades. A big job but we did eventually get rid of all the loose rust, then we applied a rust converter, then red oxide, then bitumen.
As others have said, GET A SURVEY, but theres no reason not to buy if she's been well looked after.

They are basing that on the rivets being softer than the steel plate. However it only applies to flush rivets and they don't really erode significantly more although the operator should be made aware that they are softer.
We have sand blasted several riveted hulls and in my experience there is no appreciable problem. There are still quite a few small ships German built even into the 60's that have welded butts and riveted seams and they are routinely sand blasted, there is no other feasible commercial possibility.

As for rust converters , they are a very poor product and IMO should never be used on riveted hulls !