The Hull

The hull was fabricated from eight blocks at the Xiagang Shipyard, part of the China State Building Corporation in Tanggu Mainland China.

Following completion of the detailed working drawings in 1994 the steel work commenced.  I lived in China during these two years to assist with the quality requirements. 

All of the steel work is satisfactory however the keel, skeg and rudder are very well done.  The framing is 'bulb bar' which is a very strong section typically used on commercial ships.  All of the blocks were sandblasted and immediately painted and I can remember thinking that sandblasting inside some tank on a hot day must be one of the world's worst jobs.  All of the tanks are integral and the coatings epoxy and potable water epoxy where required.  Hull plating varies from 6mm (¼") for the deck up to 12mm (1/2") for parts of the hull under the engine beds. 

During sea-trials in 2004 it was found that the vessel had too much Leeward helm.  For this reason a flat bulbous section was added to the front of the keel to move the center of lateral resistance forward.  This seems to have fixed the problem. 

Port lights in the hull are 12mm (1/2") Lexan which was installed in 2004.  Deckhouse port lights are 12mm (1/2") cast Plexiglas and the Lewmar 'Ocean' hatches are according to the Lewmar specs.