Building a Bruce Roberts PCF40. Steel..

[MicHughV]

as a by line....my boat...launched in 1981....is still around...now on it's 3rd owner...

[oldmansfolly]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

as a by line....my boat...launched in 1981....is still around...now on it's 3rd owner...

wow. that's great. nice to still have connection to it

[MicHughV]

happened by chance....my daughter, who is good at these type of things.....did an internet search...and lo and behold...found the old girl....new owner is transforming it from center cockpit to aft cockpit...which is how it should have been in the first place.....but I could recognize it instantly...I know every weld on the ole gal...it was sweet to see the boat again though...

[oldmansfolly]

Hi Guys, been a while since i posted. So hear is a little up date. I have started the frames, these are 65mm by 10 flat bar. They require a slight bend. I have been using a repurposed pipe bender to bend them in there pairs been working ok. Will add some photos to the Gallery.

[coopec43]

A friend of mine built a steel boat and he said a mistake he made was that he didn't drill some holes in the lower frames to allow any water/condensation to drain into a sump. When I asked why he didn't drill them now he said he couldn't as they had already been coated (galvanising?) and they would rust if he did them now.

[oldmansfolly]

True, need to put in drain holes as you go. I will cut in drains on every frame where a stringer meets, and several along the stringers to allow that flow to the bilge. Steel boats sweat on the inside ( condensation). If you cut them as you go they are coated along with the hull, so lessens the chance of the rust taking hold.

[AKA-None]

Stringers should be angle iron and you cut the ratholes in before you fit them

[Lucky Luke 1]

Is their a dedicated Bruce Roberts forum or room or FB page?

[OldManMirage]

I've always liked the looks of the PFC40, I will try and follow your build. Its not within my realm to emulate but hey, that's what a lot of sailing is about - enjoying other people's boats vicariously. The BR design that really has always pushed my buttons is the Trader 65. That would be my dream boat. I could always picture myself sailing among the south seas, trading various goods throughout the islands, living the dream !