Thank you gentlemen for your insight and advice,
Lke you MikeT I will more than likely measure 20 times and hopefully be as precise as Mr. Lotus. My friend and I have been discussing this potential endeavour and yes finances are an issue in that a build allows you time to shoulder the costs
incurred as opposed to finding the funds for an upfront purchase, I could always finance but I prefer to keep the bank at arms length. A wise man once said
that the borrower is a slave to the lender and in my view I'd like to keep slavery abolished! Hence the desire for a build, the fun and satifaction of D.I.Y.ing,
the ability to shoulder the cost over time, and a longing to get back on the water. My friend and I have been doing some research via google and youtube and we have one question for now regarding this build. We are averse to using so much wood
as we have seen boats here that have suffered from serious Duck Ant (Termite) infestation here in Jamaica. Not on a wide basis but we have seen them none the less,
these boats being regular fiber over ply. Sure the boats may have been sitting idle and unattended for long periods but as we say down here "prevention bettah den cure!!" We took notice on youtube of a process where the builder was using a semi rigid type of styrofoam sheeting over the ribbing instead of ply and then doing the fiberglass process.
We have started to do some digging and it appears that this same sheeting is actually manufactured here and is possibly cheaper than marine ply.
I would really appreciate your thoughts and expertise on this. Would the use of styrofoam compromise hull strength and integrity? Or will it be just as strong, lighter and hence more fuel efficient. We endeavour to be cost effective in all that we do however my friend who is also in fabrication and I put quality and safety above thrift.
Thanks in advance for your comments. I may not be on until January, that being the case may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Bless up!
CJB