Steel Sailboats?

[whalesong99]

I am looking for sailboat - first time buyer. Been working on cats for 3 years almost have my masters commercial captains licence. Some zeelander steel boats for sail under 30 grand - any comments on steel boats such as speed, maintenance costs (rust etc.), ability in heavy seas (live in hawaii, looking to cruise interisland, eventually s. pacific), vs. woodboats (sparkman/stevens) and fiberglass. Other suggestions for the particular locale (hawaii)? Looking for something 30 ft or so.mahalo for any info and alohatimothy, Maui, HI

 

[John12236]

steel boat

I like a steel boat in the 42' and up range.a 30 foot steel boat would sail like a rock and Ive onley seen one or two for sail in the 30' range There are some allumenim boats out there but I think a solid glass boat would be just as sea worthey as steel in the 30 foot lenth and there are thousands of them to pick from. Steel boats tend to be full keel, with a thin beam and they like to be sailed with alot of sail up and some sail at 30o or more heal.I like a sea spary but I think the smallest one Ive seen was 36'. But out in hawai there Is plenty of wind and waves to push a rock along . John

 

[Debra B]

check out Bruce Roberts designs

He has designs and kits in steel from the 30 ft. range on up. Also sometimes has boats for sale. Steel boats are more popular in Europe than in the US.Wood has problems with worms - even if you epxoy saturate, you can have worm problems if you ever go aground. (in Florida, there is a lot of thin water, and if you haven't gone aground, you will.)Steel rusts, wood rots, and fiberglass delaminates. All can be dealt with. Nothing is perfect.