GRP 37ft - strong enough for true offshore passages?

[mattplowman]

i am looking at a kiwi built 37ft yachr - everything seems to add up but have had comments that GRP is not really a true offshore material - ie can it really take an extended beating in heavy weather in the middle of nowhere?

any thoughts,advice and/or experiences would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance

[Seafarer24]

Who on earth have you been talking to? The vast majority of offshore vessels are constructed of this material.

[Landlubber]

Yeah, come on mattplowman, surely you must have read about hundreds of cruising yachts built in glass. Kiwi built boats specifically are usually very well built, they do not sail them in those waters on ponds only you know.

37 feet is a nice size for a cruising boat, no worries. Subject to all the usual off shore requirements being built in of course.

[mattplowman]

cheers guys, appreciate it

comments were made by old sea dog how has been around the world more then once.....on a steel yacht

[lazeyjack]

Originally Posted by mattplowman

cheers guys, appreciate it

comments were made by old sea dog how has been around the world more then once.....on a steel yacht

owners of steelyachts are notoriously biases, I had once once so I know!! Sure nothing beats steel when you are grounded on coral But there are some glass boats out there that are as heavy as steel. Surveyor in NZ? Ray Beale

[Seafarer24]

Ah yes, Steel. Pound for pound the most flexible substance to build a stiff hull with

[charmc]

Reeds, leather, wood, iron, steel, aluminum, concrete, plywood, GRP; all have made countless successful offshore vessels, and all have made boats that perished.

Design and construction determine the boat's suitability; material of construction dictates some differences in maintenance procedures.

Get a good surveyor.