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Old 01-03-2008, 08:20 AM   #32
FF
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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A good reason to give up the sailboat for a trawler?

Any vessel's "scantlings" is the entire package of the construction.

With GRP its a measure of how thick (and mostly less flexable ) or robust the construction.

But scantlings would include the robustness of the deck house , thickness of window glass , type and fastnings of any deck penitrations (hatches).

Simply measuring the thickness of the glass in the hull will not usually give a good idea of the vessels intended service , as reinforcement like stringers or bulkheads must be included.

Of course the intentionally lightweight boats will expect a very reduced service life , compared to even an inshore boat.

Lots of keels have fallen off superlightweight race boats , but in racing , that's what improves the breed.

In wood cold molded ply with lightweight stringers will be fast , but 1 1/4- 1 1/2 planking with 4x4 ribs on 12 inch centers would make the better 40-50 ft "world cruiser".

Look at the origonal PASSAGEMAKER , for an idea of wood boat scantlings.

For the Euro folks have ratings that could be examined to get an idea of what it takes to bash out in the blue water.ALL construction materials are covered.

My simple Quick Check is to look at the thickness of glass in the PH,
1/4 inch its a brownwater boat , 3/4 it could be built for the briney blue!

FF
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