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Steel boat?

2K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  SailNet Archive 
#1 ·
Hi

I notice a waterline 36 steel boat for sale in Vancouver.

Any opinions regarding a ''88 steel hulled boat?
The builder seems to have a good reputation in these parts and is still very much in business:

www.waterline-yachts.com

M Murphy
 
#2 ·
Steel has an unfortunate habit of rusting when mixed with water. Navies can afford the manpower to keep the metal protected with layers of paint and to buy new when they deem it advisable. Most other owners follow less stringent maintenance & replacement schedules... IMHO that oil tankers - like the Prestige - typically have a life expectancy of about 30 years because of rust eating through and weakening their plating. Cruisers seem to like steel hulls because they expect to ram them onto coral, and the steel holds up better in that situation than does fiberglass. Steel seems more popular in Europe than around N.America, possibly because more people see steel barges on the rivers that flow through central business areas, and hope to head to those coral-atoll-colonial outposts. Note, however, that the barges are mostly traveling in fresh water.
 
#3 ·
I have been looking for a steel boat for about a year. I inspected the Waterline 45 "Kairen" while in Vancouver looking at another boat. She is very well designed and has successfully cruised the South Pacific. However, the last owner apparently cruised with small children and did maintain the boat as well as the original owner.

Waterline builds an exceptionally well designed and strong boat. I toured the Waterline facility in Sidney, BC with Ed and Marilyn Rutherford, the owners, and found them to be knowledgable and amiable.

Hope this helps.
AdiosBoys
 
#4 ·
I also inspected the Waterline 35 "Song Line". She is in very good condition, particulary for a 15 year old boat. I think this is a one owner boat and they maintained it very well. One drawback was that there is no shower onboard as that space was converted to storage and, I think, additional water tankage.

Hope this helps.
 
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