"Cliffhanger" 42' Lex Nicol tri. I have just bought it, looking for info

Yes just purchased Cliffy and will be slipping soon, The alloy beams still look pretty good apart from a couple of points where they connect to hull, it has some swelling under the glass or Kevlar collar, I will need to dig a bit there and see what is going on, but anyone with knowledge of the build I would love some feedback on alloy grade? I read aircraft somewhere but if I need to repair I'd like to put in the same type.

I am also looking for any info/history as I want to put together a bit of a bio for the future.

Thanks, Jo

 

Some stuff in this thread - including Cliff's son's number

Lex Nicol, did he ever create any stock plans? https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/lex-nicol-did-he-ever-create-any-stock-plans.32027/page-2

 

Hi catsketcher, I had looked on that one and tried calling him but number disconnected. thanks Jo

 

If you are on Facebook I'd suggest you join up at the Multihull Appreciation society group plenty of people who can fill you in on Cliffhangers history and construction there.

 

Hi Corley, thanks for that I will give it a go. Cheers Jo

 

Saw Cliffy's "for sale" listing--your plans didn't work out? Any luck finding more history? Seems like an interesting boat but can't really find anything beside's what catsketcher linked and a brief mention in something Lex's son wrote.

 

It looks like a great boat BUT! from experience with two older Crowthers, any issues where the alloy beams intersect the hull will need careful inspection. The beams tend to move just enough to remove any protective film on the alloy tubes so the aluminum can be compromised when the rest of the tube is still in good condition. It is hard to inspect without cutting away the glass around the beams, which has its own issues.
Good luck, and take some photos.
B

 

Thanks for the info, bruceb! Yes mrjo mentioned intending to explore due to some swelling where the beams intersect the hull. From what I could find on the build, I expected the beams for the amas to be welded (or at least bolted) directly to an alloy frame within the hull, so

1) with the metal substructure taking the load from the amas and distributing it throughout the hull, I couldn't figure out how the composite would be damaged, and
2) even if the composite were damaged, it should only be cosmetic as the beams are transferring the load directly to the metal frame.

I hadn't considered the aluminium being the problem, but what you said made me remember that its resistant to corrosion only after a protective layer has built up on the exposed surfaces, so if there's rubbing then that would cause exactly what you suggested! (I think this was discovered when polishing aluminum aircraft in the 60s to keep them shiny and pretty made their wings eventually fall off?)

Not that I'd be competent to fix it, but you're saying it's more complicated than welding some new aluminum in where the broken bits were, then filling the hole with kevlar and epoxy? I understand metal repair is structurally more like than the original build than composite repair (due to mechanical bonding of epoxy being weaker than the original chemical bond), so it should be structurally sound. (With the prevention of repeat corrosion being another issue.)

Anyway, I'm always looking at boat designs, so I had to research Cliffy when I saw her! She's definitely an interesting build, and still looks pretty good for being nearly 40 year old!

-michael

 

Michael, I had to sleeve mine, my crossbeams are 3/16 x 7" alloy tubes and they had small holes all the way through in a ring right where the beams go through the hull/deck side. Apparently the fiberglass and sealant held just enough saltwater against the alloy to do the damage. My boat is about the same age as yours. For what its worth, my floats have wood saddles against the beams that had done far more damage, I could put my hand through some of those. The wood actually stays wet and did far more damage. I replaced my outer beams completely. At least aluminum is pretty easy to weld and damage is pretty visible.
Good luck, it looks like you really have a good boat.
bruce

 

Haha I don't own Cliffy. I saw her listed for sale, found this thread when researching, and was curious as it seemed mrjo (the OP) just bought her a few months ago.

Even with a some work it seems like a great deal for a fast, comfortable tri!

Glad you got your boat sorted!

 

What I know aboat gluing to alloy is, must(MUST) be coated within thirty-six seconds of sanding or oxidizing starts. yeah, we all know that,'ok', sorry, new at this. you probably know three sister 'ships, Devils three, Assassin ,Hired Hand (smaller and similar).

 

Bruce, my boat has ally beams sitting in fiberglass sockets. They are neoprene lined.

Do you think my nylon reinforced neoprene will help?

 

Don't know aboat adhesion with neoprene and/or nylon. I have used fibreglass to spread load on blowup boats, (IRA) inflatables of course, for better contact i.e.adhesion. Shaun Arber is a genious, from his multihull yard, Molle Rd, Gumdale Qld. Tingalapa Ck.

 

The neoprene is nylon lined and you contact glue the neoprene at points of contact between ally and glass. This, of course, not true for ally bonded to glass.

 

I just noticed this boat for sale on yacht hub.com.
Is this true, or have they "forgotten" to cancel the ad since you bought it ?