Re. Jeff H's last post on iron as a building material
I've told myself that I'd quit sailing when I can't get it up any more (the mainsail, that is). One day I found myself researching alternatives to cruising sailboats and discovered you can buy canal barges in Europe that are over 100 years old -- all with hulls made of iron plates. Of course, they're used in fresh water and that must help -- nonetheless, it makes the point that if you take care of a metal boat it will last much longer than you will.
