Auminum sailboat repair

Discussion in 'Metal Boat Building' started by jelfiser, Aug 24, 2014.

  1. jelfiser
    Joined: May 2006
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    Location: Italy

    jelfiser Senior Member

    Hi to all,
    I'm going to put this romaneè sailboat sailing again,
    the sailboat went on rocks but the interior , engine and 90% of the yacht is Ok
    Anyway the keel bent for 2 degree, no rudder and damaged side.
    The big point is that the boat is in a small isle where no one welds aluminum.

    Any suggestions?





    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k1e19r69qmkr9gd/AABN_XTS5Gb2NeO_spRixNhga?dl=0
     

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  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Unless this boat has a significant pedigree, value, was once owned by someone really famous or a seriously good racing record, run away as fast as you can away from this yacht. Yes, it can be repaired, but you need half a hull.
     
  3. myark
    Joined: Oct 2012
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    Location: Thailand

    myark Senior Member

    It looks a good boat and well worth fixing with no big drama.

    The keel can be straightened if its aluminum, cut damaged structure and weld back in place and the damaged side you can do a lot of the work yourself by buying a small grinder, $50 and a miller blade “meat axe” $30 that easily cuts aluminum and cut the damaged parts away if you can get back to mainland.
    To be safe use an air grinder as electric grinder can kick back and cut badly if you are not aware of this.
    If you know someone who can weld normal mig welding for welding steel, then that welding machine can have a Teflon liner changed over so soft wire slides, then aluminum welding wire used you can repair roughly structures such as rudder to be able to crawl back to mainland and may be able to bog any holes that leak..
    You will need a 200amp welding machine which cost second hand about $1000.
    This way you can at least repair boat enough and sail to a boat yard that has a wheeling machine that makes the sail shape of the aluminum sheet to suit your hull.
     
  4. Ad Hoc
    Joined: Oct 2008
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Only 3;

    1) Fly in fabricators from the mainland who can do the job. Along with the raw materials and their welding sets.

    2) Ship the boat to the mainland, to be repaired.

    3) Sell/Scrap it where it is...cut your losses.
     
  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I disagree in Myark's assessment, there's a whole hull side and it's substructure that needs to be redone, which will easily cost more than the boat's value. Trying to convince the OP he just needs some grinder blades and a little welding, is just an example of someone who's never been involved with this level of repair. The stringers are bent and/or broken, likely all of them on the port side, which is probably why the keel is canted too. It's a whole rebuild of the structure, just to get it straight again, then replating. Couple this with no skilled labor available and a remote location where materials and supplies will need to be shipped in . . . Please, this is a project destined to suck the life out of a budget/intrinsic value comparison. So, if the boat is worth more to you, then the market value could tolerate go for it, as it's only money, but on the other hand, if this is the commodity she's supposed to be, run as fast as you can away from this yacht, as you'll never recover her value, given proper repairs.
     
  6. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    A bent keel and caved in frames indicate a major amount of structural damage. Cutting a piece of the keel and bending it over is not going to fix that. I agree that this is something either good for the scrap value or worth fixing only if it has some special value.
     
  7. myark
    Joined: Oct 2012
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    myark Senior Member

    As I said it could patched up and sail to a boat yard that this a wheeling machine that creates a sail in the aluminum sheet to match your hull shape and with stringers bent is also easily to be replaced as I have done on work much worse than this.
    I wonder about a wooden boat builder who may not know what a meat axe is that cuts aluminum like butter, and jumps to conclusions about my skills.
    With the bent Keel it’s not certain about how the damage is done to the structure which if it is can also be fixed without the drama...
     

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  8. FMS
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: united states

    FMS Senior Member

    Given no one on your isle welds aluminum, this is too large a repair for a first learning experience.

    Your only choice is to get quotes for the repair.
    Add contingencies for extras that come up during the repair and for distance.

    While you are waiting, take stock of what the boat is worth to you.
    And see what you can find on the used market and how the value compares.

    The implications on future resale are also something to add.
     
  9. JSL
    Joined: Nov 2012
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    JSL Senior Member

    I would agree with ad hoc
     
  10. myark
    Joined: Oct 2012
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    Location: Thailand

    myark Senior Member

    I did not know the Romanee are such a low price as I thought the cost was double that “$100.000” The aluminum replacement cost say is about $3500, main cost is for labor.
    People who hire dry storage in boat yards find pleasure as a hobby maintaining their crafts which you could do the same and cut damaged aluminum sheet away with a meat axe, then make several template curve shapes of the hull with thin wood or stiff card board numbering them and then go to boat builder on main land that can roller press the sail shape into the aluminum sheet.
    You need to buy aluminum from main land anyway that has to be shipped so that’s no problem.
    Advertise for one aluminum boat builder for up to 3 weeks, hire a welder machine, and give him a helping hand.
    Add that cost up and go from there.

    http://www.inautia.com/used-boat-58916122013129956974852535598451.html

    POUVREAU ROMANEE
    Sailboat from the year 1981 - 10,50m long - in Gard (France)
    35.000 €
    Features of POUVREAU ROMANEE:
    • Name: -
    • Flag: -
    • Shipyard: POUVREAU
    • Material: Aluminium
    • Beam: 3,5 m
    • Draft: 1,57 m
    • Ballast: -
    • Displacement: -
    • Cabins: 2
    • Berths: -
    • Heads: -
    • Water capacity: -
    • Make of the motor: 1 NANNI 4130 25 CV
     
  11. jelfiser
    Joined: May 2006
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    Location: Italy

    jelfiser Senior Member

    Thanks to all for good advices,
    I'll investigate the condictions of the interior structures.
    for the side damage:
    I have to say that except the local damage where there is the opening
    the interior frames don't look deformed, seems that only plates are bumped.


    from the keel it looksit has a local buckling in the frames nearby the keel.

    By the way I'll get some quotes for experienced welder to come there to better understand if it's worth.

    http://pouvreau.romanee.free.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=2
     
  12. Patrick BLOSSE
    Joined: Mar 2007
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    Location: PARIS, FRANCE

    Patrick BLOSSE La Terre entière.

    Hello to all,

    Dreadful issue but hardwork optimism.

    My contribution at this point is to acknowledge this famous aluminium french 34 footer from 80's can be a faithfull and lasting compagnion for many years.
    I own mine since 1988 and she is now aged 36 years.

    The here under attached picture of our ROMANEE includes serious aluminium maintenance and new works.
    This one, here above presented by jelfiser, is seriously damaged and needs a lot more.

    If needed, have a glance at attached particulars of that RTW elegant cruiser.

    Fair winds and smooth seas to all.

    Patrick
     

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  13. Patrick BLOSSE
    Joined: Mar 2007
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    Location: PARIS, FRANCE

    Patrick BLOSSE La Terre entière.

    Dear Jelfiser,

    By the way, can you give an overlook about this ROMANEE's story please ?

    Thanks in advance.

    Patrick
     
  14. yofish

    yofish Previous Member

    How exciting jelfisher! Those round bilge sailboats made of AL are special. I might have suggestions but that would depend on some questions answered.

    1) Must (for whatever reason) the work be done where she's hauled out?

    2) What are the particulars about the rudder?

    3) How far to a place that could do the repair if the answer to 1 is no?

    4) Does the auxiliary run?

    5) Are you in love?

    Mark
     

  15. Patrick BLOSSE
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 44
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 70
    Location: PARIS, FRANCE

    Patrick BLOSSE La Terre entière.

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