Interesting thread at
Need: Steel Pilothouse Shrimper to Convert - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
See post #3
Need: Steel Pilothouse Shrimper to Convert - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
See post #3
Greetings,
Ms. GG. Mr. westwinds raises valid concerns to which I will add one other. A steel hull is in need of regular zinc maintenance. More so than wood or FRP. You could be looking at a hefty expense to haul and re-zinc on a regular basis. I don't think this is a diver job. The boat has to be hauled. To my understanding the old zincs have to be ground off and new ones welded on. Just one more thing to add to the equation...
Regarding Tigress's fuel consumption, I would hate to halfway to Galapagos before discovering my calculations were off!! The problem as I see it is that there will be no real world experience with this vessel before setting off.
My 35-foot steel Coot has eleven zincs. They are spaced along the bottom of the hull as well as attached to the rudder and propeller shaft. They're screwed/bolted onto the hull, not welded. Thus, zincs are a minor cost.
Tad: Sounds a bit too theoretical for me. If you said 100 miles I might even begin to believe the results!!
Regarding welding zincs. I do not think that it is even possible to properly weld zinc blocks to steel.
Regarding welding zincs. I do not think that it is even possible to properly weld zinc blocks to steel.
Some marinas have boats that go around and pump holding tanks. Moving a 66 foot boat to a pump out every week or so could be a problem. Not sure how many marinas have sewers out to the boats. Need to check on where the boat will be kept to see what is available for sewage disposal....Marine vacuum-flush toilets use about 1.5 pints per flush or about 3 times less so the tank would be good for 12 days.
Greetings,
Ms. GG. Mr. westwinds raises valid concerns to which I will add one other. A steel hull is in need of regular zinc maintenance. More so than wood or FRP. You could be looking at a hefty expense to haul and re-zinc on a regular basis. I don't think this is a diver job. The boat has to be hauled. To my understanding the old zincs have to be ground off and new ones welded on. Just one more thing to add to the equation...
Are you going to look at it?
I was budgeting for a once a year haul-out for bottom paint. Do you think the zincs would have to be done more than once a year?
Interesting thread at
Need: Steel Pilothouse Shrimper to Convert - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
See post #3
My main concern is that the listing does not mention stabilizers or thrusters, both of which would be on my must have list. I had complete a trip and dock single handed in an emergency once and I vowed I'd by boat would be configured for single hand operation. I think I could single hand Tigress if she had hydraulic bow and stern thrusters.
I think its worse than the boats she been looking at. Does not fit her basic requirement of being a live aboard for 6, the salon and staterooms are small, shippy stark. The boat is a AC electric power hog, and probable being built in Europe has the 240 European wiring again. The engine hours were not listed, old gardener engines, and parts/service might be hard to find. The helms access/location/visiblity is a concern. It will be a real bitch to dock the boat. Still does not have the range, water and holding tanks and no heat. Being steel has also been mentioned but the fuel tanks would be a big concern. The tanks are my biggest concern about the Eagle.
UNLESS GG has 500 grand cash/funds to drop in the boat. She might be able to get financing for the boat, but they do not finance for moving the boat, up grade/remodel that requires cash and time. Plus the total turn around cost and cash flow will be far more than buying a million plus boat.
If she is interested in steel, she should go back and look at the un finish steel in organ and finish/pimp out the interior for 200+ grand. I still like the 66 Choy Lee as it will make a great live aboard and has the basic/potential to cross oceans as windows, doors, hand holds, stabilization can be added later when/if needed.
You should already have liability insurance, weather you insure the boat or not.
That was an interesting post. He suggested that steel boats have a shelf live of 15 years. Well, this boat is waaaayyyy past that. So, would this make her a rust bucket? There are so many older steel boats still out there. Maybe it all depends on their level of care through the years? One guy says 15 years and the next guy says it will outlast you...hmmm
Some marinas have boats that go around and pump holding tanks. Moving a 66 foot boat to a pump out every week or so could be a problem. Not sure how many marinas have sewers out to the boats. Need to check on where the boat will be kept to see what is available for sewage disposal.
Just out of curiosity, what are you budgeting for that?
And btw you can probably get away with hauling every three years if you are in colder waters.
Scott Welch
Island Eagle
Greetings,
Ms. GG. Mr. westwinds raises valid concerns to which I will add one other. A steel hull is in need of regular zinc maintenance. More so than wood or FRP. You could be looking at a hefty expense to haul and re-zinc on a regular basis. I don't think this is a diver job. The boat has to be hauled. To my understanding the old zincs have to be ground off and new ones welded on. Just one more thing to add to the equation...
If the zincs are going that fast, this might be caused by a hot marina (electrically hot). I would put in an isolation transformer. GG is probably going to convert 60 hertz 115 volt to 50 hertz 230 volts. The converter has a built in isolation transformer so we shall see if zinc replacement is a problem.
I was figuring around 6-8k for a haul out and paint.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. If your heart is set on a steel boat, get this one:
1967 Sutton / DeFever Pilothouse Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
It's been a few years since I was on it, but the condition then was truly flawless. Plus, it has a layout that can't be beat. 5 real, good sized cabins. And to top it off the owner is meticulous. It was originally build for Harry See of See's Candies.
Scott Welch
Island Eagle
This is the boat that my mom loves. She has been watching it for a while now.
You won't find a better boat. This is a sister ship to mine, but this one is steel and mine is wood. It is in incredible condition, literally spotless. I'm sure the owner has spent several million on her. I'd be completely comfortable flying in, filling the tanks, and taking off in her.
Scott Welch
Island Eagle
Double that and you're getting a bit more realistic.
Scott Welch
Island Eagle
Maybe your right, but I had spoken to a couple boat yards here in NE and that was the price they gave me.