Reverse Engineering (conversions And Modifications)

five minutes away

So how cool is that turns out that I live five minutes away from a very accomplished boat builder. Who has specifically converted lifeboats into motor sailors? The before and after shots of Georges projects are what caught my attention. He has taken someone’s old rubbish and turned them into serious works of art. Interestingly enough all his projects have been budget conscious. However the quality of craftsmanship and material choice coupled with his personal hand skills make the plastic pulp boats look like toys. Collectively the future looks very bright and now I am glad of my participation here. I now intend to log my project perhaps starting a blog (although the prospect of that nausea doesn’t thrill me) I am however thrilled with the information I have gleaned from participating here more photos to follow. John

 

Excellent idee. John is a very capable computer fundi. He will teach you and help you to understand, what the books are telling us on how to calculate the various important issues.
Bert

 

This thread seems to have run it's course however i will as promised post a few photos over the next week of some of my conversions.I would like to start a new post(Conversion,Modification, Analizing The Hull)to post photos, lines, and a drawing or photo of what i want to build from my present hull using it as an example model.I.E. what it's good and bad points are. This could serve as a good source of info for people buying a new boat, people planning a new build, or modifing their present hull and of course provide good input for me. Remarks like, it has too much sheer it will rob you of headroom and follow ups on corrections for this imperfection. Or pro's and con's of my proposal for it's full keel, or rudder position. If you're into blood sport( I bought new armour, education from this thread) or would like to go thru this process nows the time. Geo. What say ye ?

 

Fiberglass Shelburne Dory Build

Female mold taken off a traditional Shelburne wooden dory. These dorys were developed locally to transport one fisherman and five lobster traps. The spoon schooner style bow developed to row out thru surf. I built this as my personal exercise rowing machine, it is extremely easy to row and with a set of 9ft. oars regularly maintain an average speed of 3.5 knots over a 5 mile course daily and on several ocassions each summer myself and the Missus will pack a picnic and take a 10 to 15 mile sunday gunkhole.

 

Shelburne Dory Project

More photos of the amazing 18ft Shelburne Dory, The prototype shown in the water has three rowing positions, it was later modified to have two positions only. In heavy winds or with a passenger seated in the stern seat, the best rowing position is forward. I have often rowed offshore in 5 to 10 foot non breaking swells. My future plan is to install a drop centerboard and use a windsurfer fiberglass mast(just happen to barter one) with a loose footed main set forward much like a cat rig.

 

Beautiful dory George here are a few pictures of my latest hand skills development project. She will make a nice little tender for someone. I spent the day fabricating a stainless Black water tank (lots of grinding) getting her hydrostatically tested tomorrow to insure the welds hold. I am installing macerators with this one and thinking about having a three way inline valve between the tank and the macerators. Allows me to isolate both and have a pump out option. First time doing it though anyone done or got a better idea??? John


Hmmmmmm the photos dident load

 

......stainless steel black water tanks are not a good idea.....sorry to throw water over your plans......

 

Any particular reason for that?
Bert

 

It’s what the client wanted but I am curious as to why you think this Bert???

 

...SS suffers corrosion under anaerobic conditions and is vulnerable to microbial attack. Ive never seen a stagnant SS black tank. Every tank Ive ever dealt with was epoxy coated steel or alloy or plastic.

general ss is a poor choice for any pipework, manifolds that will contain standing water.

When you use ss plumbing keep it dry and non electrically connected to the rest of your systems

 

Mmmm, thats interesting,yet they are often used as fuel and fresh water tanks.Must be more of a chemical attack that either reduces oxygen further or an actual eating of the metal by the chemicals themselves. Question,John, Is this just a temp.small holding tank that will be regularly pumped, if so maybe it will suffice for the life expentancy the customer requires.Michael, when you say non electrical connected,Will this part of the problem be eliminated by using plastic hose and an in line non metal macerator pump?Never underestimate the good info that surfaces here. Geo.

 

I had a 26 gallon blackwater tank built by a good tank shop, 316 passive SS, argon welded etc. Followed all the rules. 6 years later the bottom let go and dumped a full load in the bilge. Now, the new tank is 3/8" thick epoxy and glass and end of problems.

 

Galvanic Corrosion, Crevise corrosions, Contact corrosion ....

Stainless steel is a poor choice for tanks or using underwater on boats. As they say...JUST SAY NO !!!



http://www.force.dk/NR/rdonlyres/1331B885-B813-4530-AA90-0E4A4E861C61/0/061201_micstainlesssteel.pdf

http://corrosion-doctors.org/Corrosion-Factors-Cells/corrosion-cells-microbial.htm

http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr_22_4_05.pdf

 

Really good ref. material Michael, and answers my question re my stainless lined pre fab. shop chimney failed at the thru wall T. I only accidently found it thru cleaning my chimney, it was unbelieveably corroded and eated away. Only the sandwiched insulation and outer surface metal prevented a fire. Check it prior to every burning season now. Geo.

 

Help, need guidence on forum protocall, I will have my hull lines computer generated in a week or so from a designer friend (good old bartering)(being a welder,lic. Carpenter, wood and metal worker helps) and i want to post them in conjunction with photos of my build but as i progress i'm sure I will be seeking forum input. Is there a proper location on the forum where i should be doing this but also be open to good activity of the forum members, say not under a heading that few forum members visit on a regular basis.Maybe this topic might be a good thread starter, however not by me,"Reverse engineering/conversions" on a design forum,god what was i thinking. (smiley face). Thanks Geo.