Hull research

[mrthethird]

Hey, haven't been on for quite some time, last project was a real success. Thanks to all who helped.

I am looking ot start a new project soon, and have some questions about hull materials. I may be building a coastal cruiser soon, but I am a little torn on materials. What benefits (other than I have all the tools) are there to building a 40' wooden hull as opposed to a steel or aluminum hull?

[PAR]

Working with metals is considerably different then wood. Weights can be substantial in a 40' yacht, so hoisting hull plates into position can be daunting, for those not equipped to handle pieces of this scale. A 40' project is a huge undertaking as well, regardless of hull materials choices. Wooden pieces tend to be more easily handled and "worked" then metals.

This said, metals become a viable hull choice in craft of several tons. Wood is had to beat for cost, weight and building ease in smaller sizes, but a 40' build begins to push other choices to the forefront.

As to benefits and disadvantages, only you can really answer these questions. You're the one that will have to weld, manipulate and hoist these sometimes massive hunks of metal. Your tool supply, skill sets and design SOR will pretty much determine what material is best suited. Establish your SOR and the design choices will naturally whittle themselves down, to the most promising offerings.

[mrthethird]

Thanks, Paul. I was a machinist for ten years, then I was a finish carpenter until just recently =). I'm more concerned about the choice of material's ability to handle, say, the change of temperature from the Baja pennisula to Prince William Sound. Would the wood hull seams handle the temperature changes over time? I am probably overthinking the issue, as the Mayflower made a successful passage, and the Titanic didn't.

The designs i am considering at the moment are the Spray 36 and Michael Kasten's Grace. Both would be Gaff Ketch rigs, I am seriously considering your previous recommendation about a tracked main and aluminum spars

[PAR]

Grace is a far better sailing yacht then a Spray (assuming a Robert's version). Spray is a great live aboard, if you'll spend the vast majority of your time tied up at a slip, but a real pig of a sailor. Grace would be more pleasant to sail and likely a safer boat as well. It doesn't have the internal volume of a similar length Spray, but this is one reason she'll sail better.

Again hull material choices are more your prevue then anyone elses. Both metal and wooden hulls can tolerate warm and cold water cycling, assuming the metal hulls are insulated. Avoiding ice bergs, regardless of hull shell material choices, is a good general rule to abide.