ABS scantling rules

[Stranded Mariner]

I have been doing quite a lot of research in preparation of getting a steel Dix 43 built. The description of the plans says: "Construction is steel, designed to the ABS scantling rules for ocean racing yachts."

Now somebody told me that the ABS rules expired many years ago (1994 ?), and that the structure needs to be re-calculated with ISO or RINA or another international standard.

Why would this be necessary? Is it a requirement for insurance? Excuse my ignorance.

Thanks in advance,

Andreas

[GordMay]

The ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) “Guide for Offshore Racing Yachts” was released in 1986, and modified in 1994.
ABS decided, in 1997, to no longer administer their own structural Guides and Rules for any yacht under 79’ Loa because of the impending implementation of the new ISO structural standards (ISO 12215 – Hull construction and scantlings) that are being adopted worldwide.

Goto:
ISO TC 188: Small craft
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue...m?commid=54258
Specifically: ISO 12215-3:2002
Small craft -- Hull construction and scantlings -- Part 3: Materials: Steel, aluminium alloys, wood, other materials
ISO 12215-3:2002 - Small craft -- Hull construction and scantlings -- Part 3: Materials: Steel, aluminium alloys, wood, other materials

See also:
An Assessment of ISO 12215 Small Craft Hull Construction with Classification Society Rules ~ R. Curry, ABS Europe Ltd, UK (2004)
http://www.eagle.org/news/TECH/Marin...ty%20Rules.pdf

[Stranded Mariner]

GordMay, thanks for the information! There is one question that remains. Is it necessary to build under Classification Society Rules for the insurance, like it is in commercial shipping?

[Boracay]

I've tried to make sense of many sets of scantling rules for a long time. Most just make my head spin. Some seem to have the sole purpose of protecting some bureacrat's backside.

The only book that I have come across that makes sense is "the Elements of Boat Strength" by Dave Gerr. Available from Amazon.

He breaks it all down to simple, easy to follow formulae, rules and tables.

[Evan]

For a yacht, no, it's not usually required to built to any class rule. However, depending on the flag state (country of registry) they may have construction rules for yachts.

And the ABS rule is a well proven guide, though it doesn't do well with very fast racing yachts that tend to slam their forefoots. For convention steel yachts it would be fine.

[GordMay]

As Evan implied, the old ABS scantling rules were quite conservative, and many yacht designers engineered from first principles.
I’m unaware of any insurance co. (recreational boat) that even knows what scantlings are.
Notwithstanding, there may be some future impetus to adhere to a classification rule (ISO).

[Stranded Mariner]

Thanks for all your feedback! Much appreciated.