concrete

Hi I''ve been trying to price a concrete hull for a static house boat roughly 46ft x 16ft similar to what floating homes offer, I think it's a recent concept but big in Holland, reinforced mass concrete. I would want to berth on the tidal Thames but I have been quoted £20,000. by a UK company can anybody offer any help as to where I could source one cheaper.
Thanks

 

Try the makers of local floating pontoons, they are made from concrete and are very good.

The same fellas that make the marinas.

 

Marine construction companies use them. I see huge stacks of them in the shiping terminal this week. Do some googling.........

http://www.intermarine.co.uk/projects-5/

http://www.maritimesolutions.co.uk/pontoons/concrete.php

 

If the quoted £20,000 includes delivery the price is very reasonable.
Pouring concrete for a houseboat hull is a tedious job, more expensive than building construction. Also the mixture is different, with a large amount of sodium silicate added to prevent water absorption.

 

Thank for the links Michael, i''ll check them out, I didn't realise that they were used so much commercially, definitely an option.

Hi CDK, it was without delivery, and I got a lower price for aluminium boat kit with cabin the same size, but just long term low cost little maintenance I was swayed toward the concrete hull, but there seems to be only one supplier in the UK and just trying to keep my project within budget.

Thanks for your help.

 

Don't be afraid of the concrete, the old ammo barges on Sydney Harbour are over 100 years old....no worries.

 

Thanks Landlubber, I guess it's just down to price at the end of the day, low maintenance of concrete would save a lot of money in a few years, just getting the right supplier..

 

I did some canvas work on a concrete boat, it was so dry he stored his paper products in the bilge.