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| Originally Posted by YachtForums So you're saying weight doesn't play a role in this equation?
And steel doesn't need maintenance? |
To answer question 1 first I'l like you to consider a plane steel barge that is empty, and one that is full of cargo. You see, it isn't what the hull is made of it is what it carries inside that adds to the depth in the water, and a yacht doesn't carry much in the way of heavy cargo like a barge would. So the draft becomes almost insignificant if you put the same thing inside of a steel hull as you would a fiberglassed hull. The weight isn't really that much different when both are done properly, but the steel crinkles on rocks, and fiberglass holes out. Check out the damaged boats from the Hurricane season we just went through, and you will see that they are mostly boats made of fiberglass that had they been made of steel wouldn't have half as much repairs to be made, or wouldn't have sunk right at their docks.
As for maintainence, that depends on what kind of water the yacht is in, and how well the owner takes care of it. Isn't it? Yes, normal, not stainless steel will rust more easily in saltwater, but hardly at all in fresh water, but fiberglass will blister, crack, and not take a bumping very well, and aluminum will corrode through electollisis, and wood will rot if not taken care of. But you tell me, which hull material would you want the ship to be built of if you were going on an ocean liner? And by the way=Most steel hulled owners have their hulls epoxy resined.
Capt John S. Keller