Big Boat Dreaming

Hello all.

Been lurking since 2011 and trying to understand different methods and decide what I am wanting to do. I have finally decided to build a large boat ( 50 foot power monohull ). I am looking at a boat I like and I want to try to "duplicate" it whilst making it look different. I can get the wood framing accurately drawn and cut. The actual question I have is once the frame or bulkheads are secure, can I use foam core and glass instead of wood to "plank" the boat ? Finishing the outside with fiberglass and glassing the inside as well ?

Any and all "mature" comments are welcome.

Thank You.

 

You could do that, but it would not be the best approach on a boat that size. foam and fiberglass sandwich construction has very different structural properties than wood planks, you could be over strength in some areas, and than have failure in another mode because the loads in that direction on the new material would to too high.

What you want can be done however if you get a competent Navel Architect or marine engineer to redesign the detailed structural layup and configurations to use the new construction materials. This would actually save you money in the long run, and possibly even save the boat itself. A 50 ft boat is not an inexpensive undertaking, you would want the structure optimized for the materials you will be using to save weight, money, and most of all, probably save the investment of the boat itself.

If you were going to do that however, you might consider the advantage of designing an all new boat, incorporating the design features you like from the old design, and also putting into it the new features you want. It would add value to the boat to have it professionally designed or updating an old one.

 

Valuable information, thank you sir.

 

Thinking further, I suppose I could just stay with the wood planking and cover with glass.

 

Barron, it's generally not wise to "play" with structural details, without a firm grasp of the engineering involved, particularly with 50' yachts.

On the other hand, styling is mostly just an aesthetic consideration and can be manipulated as desired. This assumes you don't alter major structural elements.

 

Consider resale value. If you go 'alternative' then you're immediately limiting the boats appeal to the everyday yacht owner spending his hard earned savings.

I hate to say it but stay mainstream.

 

I agree, about "Playing" as you called it. Beyond that there would be no major structural elements changed.

 

Good advice, but the thought to sell is not a consideration.

Thank You.

 

tell us about the boat you like. do you have pictures or drawings you can post?

 

Sure..

Specifications
Design Lars Modin
Materials Carbon
Length of hull 16,6 meters
LOA 18,1 meters
Width 4.6 meters
Weight 14,000 kg
Fuel Capacity 2 x 900 liters
Secure Range 350 nm
Cruising Speed 25-32 knots
Bränlseförbrukning 5 l / N

Engines / Performance
2 x Volvo Penta IPS 600/32 knots
3 x Volvo Penta IPS 600/38 knots

 

Posting your location will help on giving you advice. The availability of labor and materials in your area will determine, to an extent, what the design will be.

 

It ought to be. Circumstances change, as a matter of fact they do little else but change !

 

I am from the U.S., but living in Buenos Aires.

 

Circumstances do change, I will take it into consideration.

 

Will you be building in Buenos Aires? There are several good yards in that area.