2007 Bruce Roberts 370 ???

[turfguy]

Can anyone give me any wisdom they have on this boat?? I do not know anything about it. Also how would steel compare to fiberglass as far as maintenance etc? Thanks in advance.

2007 Bruce Roberts 370 sailboat, Custom made steel hull sloop 37' long, Beam 12' 4", Draft 5'4", Yanmar 3 cyl. diesel, Pilot House helm and aft helm stations

turf

[sailingdog]

Steel boats have totally different maintenance problems compared to fiberglass boats. Corrosion is the major enemy on a steel boat, and if the boat was not properly constructed and maintained, internal corrosion will kill it long before anything else does.

Steelboat and Valiente, two of the users on this site are fairly knowledgeable about them, as they own steel boats. Steelboat's website is well worth visiting, since he has built his 50' steel schooner, and done a very nice job of it. I've had the pleasure of seeing sv Restless in person.

Most Bruce Roberts are custom, but the build quality can vary significantly. Many are home built and the quality can range from superb, as is the case with Steelboat's sv Restless, to miserable. BTW, sv Restless is not a Roberts design, but a Ted Brewer design IIRC.

If you decide to go ahead and consider the purchase of a steel boat, you really need to have a surveyor that is knowledgeable about steel boats. You also need to be much more aware of galvanic and electrical issues, since galvanic corrosion can destroy a steel hull in a relatively short period of time.

[Cope44]

I just spent the last hour reading everything on "Steelboat's" entire web site. That mans journey, level of craftsmanship, and dedication is truly amazing.
Great job.

[sailingdog]

Yes, sv Restless is a masterwork in all regards. The craftsmanship and attention to detail Bob has put into her is truly amazing. The wood work is gorgeous and the layout is well thought out.

[Ilenart]

Turf,

this website gives more details on the Roberts 370.

Bruce Roberts International Australia. Boat designs plans kits and boat building books

Don't actually know anyone with an Roberts 370, the Roberts 38 is a lot more common. Heaps of Roberts designs here in Oz.

Sailingdog gives good advice on steel boats. I think maintenance would be about the same, however with steel you really need to keep on top of it, otherwise a little job quickly becomes a big job. Fibreglass can be a big more forgiving, however in the long run it is probably about the same. Just depends whether you like being covered in fibreglass dust or metal flakes / rust

Ilenart

[sailingdog]

Keeping the bilges bone dry is far more important in a steel boat, as is quickly repairing any damages to the protective coating...since once steel starts to rust, it expands 10% and quickly damages pretty much anything you have coated it with.

This is one reason I didn't get the Manson Supreme anchor. The blade is made up of two layers of steel laminated to each other by edge welding and then hot dip galvanized. The area between the two layers isn't galvanized AFAIK, and if any water makes it through the weld into that space, the resulting corrosion will quickly destroy the anchor.

[turfguy]

SD or others, In your opinion how often would you have to expect to paint the exterior if kept in Salt water? I am not speaking about the bottom, but rather the hull above the water line. I would think this is a major part of the upkeep on a steel hull?

Thanks for all the wisdom,
turf

[turfguy]

[QUOTE=Ilenart;376867]Turf,

this website gives more details on the Roberts 370.

Bruce Roberts International Australia. Boat designs plans kits and boat building books

Don't actually know anyone with an Roberts 370, the Roberts 38 is a lot more common. Heaps of Roberts designs here in Oz.

Thanks for the Web Link Ilenart, good info there.
turf

[sailingdog]

It really depends on what kind of paint you used, how well you prepped the hull and how good you were about repairing any scratches or damage to the paint.

To give you an idea of what the difference can be, look at some commercial fishing trawlers... most are steel hulled, and often the front half looks almost pristine and newly painted, and the rear half looks like a totally different boat, with big rusting patches and such. That's because dragging the fishing gear over the side damages the paint job and the steel hulls rust much faster in the rear end of the boat where the gear comes on and off.

[turfguy]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

It really depends on what kind of paint you used, how well you prepped the hull and how good you were about repairing any scratches or damage to the paint.

To give you an idea of what the difference can be, look at some commercial fishing trawlers... most are steel hulled, and often the front half looks almost pristine and newly painted, and the rear half looks like a totally different boat, with big rusting patches and such. That's because dragging the fishing gear over the side damages the paint job and the steel hulls rust much faster in the rear end of the boat where the gear comes on and off.

Thanks SD it sounds like with proper procedures steel can be a very durable material free of blistering for sure I will see how it all plays out as far as this boat I have been offered in a trade for my home.
turf