Looking for any and all information on a Roberts steel hull boats. It was built in 1998 and has been sitting for over 1 year. Are steel boat something to stay away from? Thanks Rick
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Properly Built and Maintained
...will be a nice boat. You will need to do some research (Google 'steel boat maintenance) and have a quality survey. There is some non-forgiving maintenance requirements, mostly concerning interior and exterior coatings and electrical current control. Good luck, RD
...will be a nice boat. You will need to do some research (Google 'steel boat maintenance) and have a quality survey. There is some non-forgiving maintenance requirements, mostly concerning interior and exterior coatings and electrical current control. Good luck, RD
Marine Survey and a Reputable Builder
Make sure you get a marine survey done by a reputable marine surveyor who is FAMILIAR with steel boats. After having owned a steel boat I agree that a properly designed, built and maintained steel boat can be a great boat but there are some horror stories out there as well - most of them the home built variety. Make sure the boat was built by a reputable and experienced steel boat builder - I would not touch it otherwise - IMHO. Also be prepared for the extra maintenance required - more than a fibreglass boat. Resale is another issue that you need to research as well - it can be tougher to sell a steel boat - especially an unknown model or builder. However those same factors can enable you to be able to buy a good boat for less money than you would spend on a similar fibreglass boat.
Make sure you get a marine survey done by a reputable marine surveyor who is FAMILIAR with steel boats. After having owned a steel boat I agree that a properly designed, built and maintained steel boat can be a great boat but there are some horror stories out there as well - most of them the home built variety. Make sure the boat was built by a reputable and experienced steel boat builder - I would not touch it otherwise - IMHO. Also be prepared for the extra maintenance required - more than a fibreglass boat. Resale is another issue that you need to research as well - it can be tougher to sell a steel boat - especially an unknown model or builder. However those same factors can enable you to be able to buy a good boat for less money than you would spend on a similar fibreglass boat.
In addition to what Lyle said...
not only can it be tougher to sell a steel hull, but also the fact that is is 'home built'. "Home built" is a rough term meaning not necessarily built by the owner, but any shop that is not a well known boat builder. The 'home built' thing, also means dont count on being able to get hull insurance. I have seen a few really well built 'home built' fiberglass boats sell for a fraction of the price of an equivelant 'store bought' model. Regardless of what the surveyor says, most Ins. Co.'s dont want to touch a 'home built' boat. That being said, I'll quote Lyle again...."However those same factors can enable you to be able to buy a good boat for less money than you would spend on a similar fibreglass boat." If it surveys well, and the price is low enough, it could be a good bargain. Try to find a Bruce Roberts site annd get add'l info. but dont pay too much attention to their hype.
not only can it be tougher to sell a steel hull, but also the fact that is is 'home built'. "Home built" is a rough term meaning not necessarily built by the owner, but any shop that is not a well known boat builder. The 'home built' thing, also means dont count on being able to get hull insurance. I have seen a few really well built 'home built' fiberglass boats sell for a fraction of the price of an equivelant 'store bought' model. Regardless of what the surveyor says, most Ins. Co.'s dont want to touch a 'home built' boat. That being said, I'll quote Lyle again...."However those same factors can enable you to be able to buy a good boat for less money than you would spend on a similar fibreglass boat." If it surveys well, and the price is low enough, it could be a good bargain. Try to find a Bruce Roberts site annd get add'l info. but dont pay too much attention to their hype.
Rust never sleeps
Has it been outside? Rain and other weather will have found any weak spots, and will have started to lift paint and widen cracks. Has it been inside? Rusting due to condensation will have been going on, even if the boat's been on land, in the most inaccessible parts of the bilge. If the boat's been well cared-for, as mentioned below, these issues are controllable, but they need to be watched. Tankers are generally geared to a commercial life of 25 about years because of rust working it's way through their plating. This hull is about a third through that.... if the plating was as thick as a tanker's to start with. What are you planning to do with this boat? Roberts designs are not generally renknowned for their great performance. (They make their money selling plans for "easy to build" boats.) Since you probably won't be able to outrun it, will the boat hold up in bad weather? That's where the builder takes on importance. How carefully did he follow the plans? There are welders who work on submarines and who build boats in their spare time, and there are welders who fix lawnmowers and who build boats in their spare time. There are guys who learn to weld by building a boat. Who built this one? There are a lot of questions to answer before buying any boat, especially one as big as 36feet. The fact that there are relatively few boats of this design and their construction may or may not be top level should raise warning flags and adds to your homework. If the answers you find leave you reassured, rather than bringing up further questions, have fun sailing. Another boat might be a better bargain, though even if it were more expensive.
Has it been outside? Rain and other weather will have found any weak spots, and will have started to lift paint and widen cracks. Has it been inside? Rusting due to condensation will have been going on, even if the boat's been on land, in the most inaccessible parts of the bilge. If the boat's been well cared-for, as mentioned below, these issues are controllable, but they need to be watched. Tankers are generally geared to a commercial life of 25 about years because of rust working it's way through their plating. This hull is about a third through that.... if the plating was as thick as a tanker's to start with. What are you planning to do with this boat? Roberts designs are not generally renknowned for their great performance. (They make their money selling plans for "easy to build" boats.) Since you probably won't be able to outrun it, will the boat hold up in bad weather? That's where the builder takes on importance. How carefully did he follow the plans? There are welders who work on submarines and who build boats in their spare time, and there are welders who fix lawnmowers and who build boats in their spare time. There are guys who learn to weld by building a boat. Who built this one? There are a lot of questions to answer before buying any boat, especially one as big as 36feet. The fact that there are relatively few boats of this design and their construction may or may not be top level should raise warning flags and adds to your homework. If the answers you find leave you reassured, rather than bringing up further questions, have fun sailing. Another boat might be a better bargain, though even if it were more expensive.
Steel Hulled Sailboat
Hi...i was readin your thread in the forum, i have a 38' Hankinson Aquarian sailboat that has been kept in good condition that was built by a master welder who retired out of the navy...this boat is the only thing keepin me from moving back to my home town in califorina, if this interest you please send me an email...below i have posted a link to a website where my boat is advertised with photos......please keep in mind that the price noted is not firm and can be negotiated.... www.sailingtexas.com/shankinson35a thanks -Chris P.S. if you know anyone else who might be interested in this vessel please revert them to my advertisment of my boat.
Hi...i was readin your thread in the forum, i have a 38' Hankinson Aquarian sailboat that has been kept in good condition that was built by a master welder who retired out of the navy...this boat is the only thing keepin me from moving back to my home town in califorina, if this interest you please send me an email...below i have posted a link to a website where my boat is advertised with photos......please keep in mind that the price noted is not firm and can be negotiated.... www.sailingtexas.com/shankinson35a thanks -Chris P.S. if you know anyone else who might be interested in this vessel please revert them to my advertisment of my boat.
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