Hippocampus
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 4,181
- Location
- Plymouth
- Vessel Name
- Hippocampus
- Vessel Make
- Nordic Tug 42
Have some limited experience with pre prepped baked which to some degree can be thought as modular as some areas are pre assembled and glued together. Then dropped in. Usually no mechanical fasteners employed to take structural loads anywhere. In combination with synthetic core or honeycomb vaccum bagged used in places get the strongest, stiffest, lightest hull and deck possible. All work done in filtered air, ideal humidity and temperature. A very expensive way to build a boat. Totally amazing to see the size of the oven in places like NEB and the tech employed. Makes perfect sense for a RTW racer or other demanding application.
However may not be the best choice for us cruisers. Low tech solid grp hulls don’t require special techniques for repair and are less likely to shatter. Unfortunately the above posters are right the big series production builders are building to a price point and with little concern about access or repair. Totally agree the liner constructed boat are worst.
Would note you can build a stick built boat badly as well. Instead of glassing in the entire perimeter of bulkhead or other structural element just tab it in or only glass one side. Unfortunately you pay for quality in both stick and modular. As a dilettante I can see and fairly well assess the important structural elements of a stick built. I can’t with modular. Neither can I assess the quality of elements glued together. I know modern adhesives are stronger and more durable than mechanical fasteners but it’s an act of faith it was done correctly in some series production factories.
However may not be the best choice for us cruisers. Low tech solid grp hulls don’t require special techniques for repair and are less likely to shatter. Unfortunately the above posters are right the big series production builders are building to a price point and with little concern about access or repair. Totally agree the liner constructed boat are worst.
Would note you can build a stick built boat badly as well. Instead of glassing in the entire perimeter of bulkhead or other structural element just tab it in or only glass one side. Unfortunately you pay for quality in both stick and modular. As a dilettante I can see and fairly well assess the important structural elements of a stick built. I can’t with modular. Neither can I assess the quality of elements glued together. I know modern adhesives are stronger and more durable than mechanical fasteners but it’s an act of faith it was done correctly in some series production factories.
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