Starting from scratch. Houseboat

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by vuoladodo, Jun 10, 2014.

  1. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: Tasmania,Australia

    rwatson Senior Member

    The materials will often be a function of your capabilities and available ( either financially or geographically) materials.

    Steel, and found steel is a great way to build a cheap hull ( Google Brent Swain for more info)

    But - I am under the impression that welding isn't one of your skills, nor maybe lifting facilities in a closed workshop, nor the ability to assess loading and floating factors.

    The 'average' enthusiast can usually cope with wiring and gluing sheets of easily cut plywood with a bit of care. Cutting and welding steel takes a bit more practice, and is more prone to unseen holes that let in the water.

    Once again though, make sure the method you use is able to be certified or approved for insurance.
     
  2. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    Hey, tread lightly around the mother-in-law jokes!
     
  3. rwatson
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    rwatson Senior Member

    The old urban myth of plenty of cheap, used steel barges.

    name two :p
     
  4. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

    Same conclusion I came to, especially after looking at a number of examples in Thailand,...good old steel pipe.

    And if this pipe is of sufficient strength it becomes one of the 'backbones' of the structure, thus eliminating duplication in the base structure.
    I'll post some more examples (photos) over on this other subject thread shortly.
     
  5. brian eiland
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    Location: St Augustine Fl, Thailand

    brian eiland Senior Member

  6. brian eiland
    Joined: Jun 2002
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    Location: St Augustine Fl, Thailand

    brian eiland Senior Member

  7. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: Tasmania,Australia

    rwatson Senior Member

    Yes - and the calculation to ensure that it IS strong enough is in an attached spreadsheet ?????

    Making it up as you go is OK for floating on your dam on the farm, or some backwater edifice, but you need a more professional approach if you want to join with the rest of the boating world.

    I bet the engineering calculations to take advantage of your bits of steel will cost more than a set of stock plans.
     

  8. brian eiland
    Joined: Jun 2002
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    Location: St Augustine Fl, Thailand

    brian eiland Senior Member

    What need is there of a spreadsheet at this stage? We are not yet designing a specific size vessel.

    Do you really think there is that MUCH pre-engineering in these vessels (MANY) being constructed in Thailand
    http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/retirement-houseboat-floating-home-23987-12.html#post692196

    Besides the formulas for round pipe are really quite simple to find and use.
    But again I repeat, have a look at the vessels that are built in this manner....proof it can be done quite simple. Pipe size and thickness will be based on desired size of pipe (min and max), wall thickness, and supported/unsupported length.
     
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