hello dear boaters, I am currently thinking about buying my first own yacht. I intend to use it in the north sea and baltic during the summer for me and some friends. I found this one and quite like the looks. But it seems quite cheap and would like to know if it is too cheap to be true. Whats your oppinion? http://www.boats24.com/en/sailboat/...stol-us/50566/ketch-mit-volvo-2040-motor.html
one word.... FERROCEMENT! it's usually impossible to evaluate the condition of a FC hull... this is why this boat is cheap. somehow, using using the name "Herreshoff" and the word "ferrocement" to describe a boat sounds like the utmost blaphemy...
ok, well its not a Herreshof, thats clear. but I thought ferrocement is easy to maintain and cheap to maintain. I'm not going to go racing with it... how difficult is it to get a proper evaluation done on somthing like this?
Cheap to built is the primary reason FC have been built... easy and cheap to maintain, sure until something happens. it's hard to know what you're dealing with, problem with ferro is that you cant' be sure of how the frame was done and that's where the strength is. do some research on the yard which built the boat, with ferros the builder's reputation is very important. If she was home built, RUN!
Do a search for posts by Norseman about ferro cement boats. You'll even find a bit about how NOT to repair them. Just don't tell him you'll dock it in his canal or he may cry. That's a quality yard. My guess is that name doesn't go with that boat though.
