Taking a Vulcan Out for a Cruise: Or, How to Live Long and Prosper. These defects were not reasonably discoverable in the ordinary usage, inspection and maintenance of the boat, in that these defects could only be discovered through the destructive testing and/or cutting into the hull, according to the lawsuit. would have been initiated in the 1940's but, as Today, he can only wish that the same level of guarantee he always promised for his product would be applicable to one of his purchases the elegant 98-foot passenger yacht christened Jelly Bean II he keeps moored at a specially-built dock in Redondo Beachs King Harbor. They all come with manuals and exploded parts diagrams, so are quite simple to pull apart. A ride thats pleasant. have met with failure, or one way or another have If a yacht has a shallow displacement, then the hull does not sit very deep in the water. But hull design is not just a matter of style. So some tumblehome would be a good thing. Look at most fiberglass boats in this guide and youll see soft, sculpted lines in the profiles. And yes, a boat thats fast. Strakes Horizontal or nearly horizontal lengthwise surfaces that help lift the boat onto plane. It all comes down to how the specific boat is modeled. The recourse we have is if they begin to be slanderous or deliberate lies, then there are legal mechanisms to protect us against such falsehoods. You actually put the stern-drive into a pocket. You should also check the engines oil dipstick; make sure the oil on the stick isnt black as ink. The displacement of the monohull is a contributing factor that has much to do with the physics and the boats capacity to withstand the force from rushing waters. He refused to send any of his local designers, engineers or marketing staff to inspect the boat, and they were only 15 minutes away by freeway. five pages and is a full-blown article, including Lights will be critical for the captain to be able to navigate efficiently and avoid any floating debris or other hard surfaces. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. (I have run at least 7 diffferent older models of Oceans as well). Planing Hull A hull designed to ride across the top of the water, rather than plow through it (as does a displacement hull like a pontoon). My sailing has mostly been on the sort of yachts that were built in the late 70s and early 80s when GRP lay-up was on the heavy side compared to todays standards. Nobody sold more boats than I did, he said. Heres the kicker: The SL262 doesnt ride on them. Boat manufacturers have the same quality control problems that any manufacturer has, said former Ocean Alexander dealer Jim McLaren, who sold Parker all five of his yachts. Insurance and Issues of Law. The negative effect on buoyancy of a tumblehome seems straightforward. There is more equipment with bigger boats.. Daves problems cropped up after that cancellation. The sails will obviously need to be maintained, so if there are any visible rips or tears after a rough storm, they will need to be patched thoroughly or otherwise repaired. Righting arm is reduced with increased immersion/increased heel. Much of the core is exposed, unfortunately for She points out that the tools in your toolkit have to be compatible with the fittings on the particular boat youre sailing, so thats one of the pre-race checks before the boat leaves the dock. And it wasnt the design I approved. If deck fittings are leaking and your crew are complaining because theyre getting rained on in their bunks, Sikaflex is a good way of sorting out the problem until you get home. For all of its comforts and technological advances, the Jelly Bean II has suffered from a long list of deficiencies which render it nearly unseaworthy, Parker alleges in the lawsuit, filed Nov. 14 in a Los Angeles federal court. Core-Cell: A Foaming Solution? of this discussion is to reveal that even in the world of really And Parkers current problems with an estimated repair price tag of more than $1.2 million are the result of that change at the top, said McLaren. What it Means for the Consumer, The boat building industry has entered an unprecedented period of experimentation of new materials for use in the fabrication of what were once called fiberglass hulls. I have never owned or run an ocean but Last two winters we were docked next to recent 60ish skylounge. The flat keel on the SeaVee Z series provides more lift that helps combat excessive bowrise. Most runabouts have chines (those big lips deep in the hull upon which the boat lifts) just not so big. Ocean Alexanders owner, Johnny Chueh, just flat refused to honor the warranty, said Parker. Its beam is considerable (13 2), which gives us some concern regarding inverse stability and upwind performance. Then you can start diagnosing the problem. flags about this latest trend toward coring boat The forward hull section creates a wave of pressure beneath the higher aft hull section, which helps lift the transom, popping the boat onto plane with less bow lift. with a video camera filming what was going on at They can be taken care of quickly and easily. Keel The centerline, or spine, of a boat. Possibly the best boating magazine on the planet! Finally, the Z series hulls feature a flat keel for most of the length of the underbody. Base price is around $1.3 million. Regal was one of the first recreational boatbuilders to find a way to use a stepped hull to create speed without compromising stability. However, WebOcean Yachts. I out-produced the bigger markets in Florida and Seattle every year. This is when the gel coat or paint on the hull starts to form bubbles and peel off. Some of these factors include the displacement of a monohull, durably constructed material, features that enhance navigability, safety features, and the overall size of a yacht. Well, they do it because a deep-V hull is seaworthy but slow, and a flat-bottom is fast but flakey. I wasn't aware of much damage having occurred. In 2002, he bought the first Jelly Bean, an 86-foot craft named in memory of his wife, Arlene. If you buy a brand-new, expensive automobile, you can expect to have a few problems. Theyre the little flaps that you hear click-click-clicking when you turn the winch, and they stop it from spinning the wrong way. As long as the yacht can overpower the force of the waves, it will be able to make it through them to safety. Heres how a few standouts have gone about it with their own trademark designs. Lowering the motor helps, but that creates drag. During my trial of the 390-Z I can say that I did not experience this hesitation. Riviera's are ok. I have heard the same thing from several people, the aftercoolers were leaking into the cylinders. A less obvious case where tumble home comes into play is 'roll out' and 'roll down' (AKA 'roll in'). So he couldnt come to me, because he knew I had no relationship with Ocean Alexander. I believe my father felt the same way. Together theyre much smaller than the single contact area of a typical V-bottom. WebIn addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001. Dey be some smart pipples on this board. The younger Chueh took the companys reins, and, according to Parker and others interviewed for this article, customer satisfaction diminished. Thus, the bigger and heavier the boat, the more likely it is to survive rough seas. This might be found in a deck boat or catamaran. Drive, Grandma. The semi-displacement hull pops on plane at 16 knots with the top end is around 26 knots. The deeper the hull sits, and the more V-shaped the design of the hull is, the better balanced your boat will remain even in the roughest of waters. Case Study: Chaparrals Extended V-Plane The hulls running surface is actually three shapes nested, becoming steeper as they By the same token, the narrow deck line associated with tumblehome can reduce the initial force needed to start to right an inverted boat however, depending on how the tumblehome is shaped, it can also increase less significant ultimate force required to right the boat. Not much, except for a few people McLaren, Ocean Alexanders most productive salesman for 25 years, sat in his office overlooking Newport Harbor recently recalling those earlier days. The durability of the boats outer surface is of particular importance if there were to be any debris floating or being dragged into the sides of the boat. At least it shouldnt be. I was a very bad student, but if I can learn a skill thats going to help me make the boat go faster, then I think its crazy not to learn it, she explains. Boat captain Farley said McLarens strict adherence to a policy of quickly and honestly handling construction problems with the boats he sold was Ocean Alexanders biggest asset. This contributing factor will aid your yacht to survive rough seas. Perhaps you live in or are planning to vacation in an area that generally has calm waters. While others that rise out of the water are said to roll Hello, my name is Julio, i am from Mexico and i would like to buy a fising yacth between 42 or 48 feet, we have rough seas where i live and have to run around 25 milles before we start fishing, i know hatteras and viking are one of the best yachts for fishing, but what do you think about ocean yachts??. A captain will need to know how to use both the natural elements and the motorization of a yacht if he or she wishes to switch between a sailing yacht and a motorized yacht. Elliptical transoms had little or no impact on the hydrodynamocs of the boat, but they surely look beautiful to the eye. said that foam couldn't be used successfully; ODAY 37 But I was able to haul the SeaVee 390-Z through some high-speed, hardover turns with as much confidence as I would when commanding a conventional V-hulled boat. A cold start will give you the opportunity to listen to odd noises or performance problems. However, most yachts will be able to manage through heavy storms and crashing waves. We had to take ours from Mexico to Newport Beach for repairs twice., Farley added, If you just putt-putt around in quiet waters, youll never know what a piece of shit they are. We will be aggressive in protecting our legal rights (and) remedies against anyone who spreads false rumors, lies and deceits., While U.S. governmental attention to Chinese manufacturing deficiencies involving imported food or toys has become commonplace, its a little different in the case of expensive yachts. As mentioned, the case could be made the timber ships of war had tumblehome in order to keep the weight of the heavy guns within the limits of the waterline, to allow the guns to be rolled out and fired even when ships we grappled together in close combat, and due to issues related to timber ship construction (the convex surfaces associated with tumble home meant that the seams were compressed rather than stretched open when exposed to high loads.). that did nothing to prepare. I just dont know of any other way to do business.. Curmudgeon at Large- and rhinestone in the rough, sailing my Farr 11.6 on the Chesapeake Bay. They also create air bubbles in the water, reducing the propellers bite. It does though move the center of gravity lower in the vessel for a given displacement resulting in a proportionally higher GM or initial stability. Its also good to have a few blocks, especially the ones where the side snaps open and shut, so you can rig up a replacement block and tackle arrangement if the vang breaks. The result? A boat hull is either designed as a displacement hull or a planning hull: Displacement hulls move within the water. The term latent defect in maritime use is widely So get the boat under control while someone jumps below with a head torch and figures out how to solve the problem. reasonable and prudent inspection. Engine issues, especially polluted fuel, malfunctioning alternators, and overheating, affected 31 boats (20%). Entire Article, It back to the 1930's when, so far as I know, the Hull blistering. an auction of storm damaged boats here in Fort Lauderdale. Nor he said, could a number of naval architects and structural engineers who inspected it., McLaren is convinced that the problem lies both in design and manufacturing methods: They take shortcuts as they design. Four Winns added them strictly to widen the interior space farther forward. a lot of new ideas and materials come and go over Best Boat Report4441 Six Forks Road Ste 106-205Raleigh, NC 27609, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, rather than other boats that are found with twin- or multi-hulls, One safety feature included on a yacht that will help it to survive rough seas is the bilge pump, Spotlight on Safety: A Review of the 13 Best Boat Spotlights, Shimano Tiagra 50W vs 50W LRSA: A Comparison of Two Reels, The Easiest Offshore Planer Fishing Setup for Wahoo, Shimano Tiagra 50 vs Penn International 50: A Comprehensive Comparison, What Pound Test to Use on Shimano Tiagra 50W LRSA: A Comprehensive Guide. boats 40 to 55 feet built from 1995 to 2002. In addition a narrower hull is more easily depressed and prone to tripping in heavy seas. And he was the best customer Ocean Alexander has ever had, according to the man who sold all five. If its too flat and you bust a wave, says Mason, youre going to transmit that energy into the boat and into you. The boatbuilder doesnt want the former. Preparing for an ocean crossing. A boat that has a spot where its stability increases rapidly within its roll angle also tends to have a jerky motion de-accelerating rapidly as stability rapidly builds. Web site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe, Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet. Replacing it is not that difficult. Larson licenses Harry Schoells patent for this design, which it uses in its sport cruiser line. Certified by the National Association Euro is in. W.W.II, production fiberglass boat building probably In the event of stormy weather or rougher waters, the rudder will need to be in top shape to help the captain navigate efficiently. Copyright 2023 Boating Magazine. Traditional designs tend to remain pretty neutral with regards to heel, but designs with tumblehome tend to initially roll out, before rolling down, sometimes quite deeply. So carrying spares is an absolute must, and the impellers a tiny thing to carry with you. Back in the late 80s rumors, allegedly started by a competitor, spread about bulkheads coming loose and roots of fiberglass boat building go all the way This should be a standard inclusion on any boat, but its appearance on a yacht will help the captain to survive the more dangerous paths or waters. Big boats, big problems, small boats, small problems. There are several factors at play when you try to determine whether it's a good or bad thing in a particular case. will not be going away anytime soon. Ray and Balsa Core Bottoms. it was, really began in earnest in 1960 with the Ebbtide builds its Z-Trak hull with unique double-vented chines that send air under the running surface, reducing speed-robbing drag at two points (and producing the distinctive Z-shape seen from the side as the boat whizzes past.). The newer ones are much better. The biggest issue here is making sure you have a captain who is familiar with using whatever his or her boats source of power is. The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details. Web site design & developement: Copyright 1997 - 2023 Junko A. Pascoe All rights reserved. There were two minor hurricanes and one tropical Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony. Oceans are a lot of boat for the money. I wont go so far as to say that OA boats arent seaworthy, but they just have problems that have not been addressed. She has competed in three Volvo Ocean Races and is the acknowledged expert on the VO65, having spent thousands of hours racing the boats and working on the fleets refit. Its almost like the boat has lost 500 pounds.. If the captain is unable to navigate back to safe shores, then, of course, your boat will be doomed to fail. But they are an average built boat for average seas. Generally, a company will make a reasonable effort to solve quality control problems, said Adkinson. Case Study: Ebbtide Z-Trak Hull Balsa adds tremendous stiffness, and reduces weight, which improves performance. If you can see where loads need to go and where you can safely attach things, you can generally jury something up. Parker bought his first Ocean Alexander, a 42-foot flush desk, in 1983. When The Z-Plane hulls running surface is actually three shapes nested, becoming steeper as they approach the chine. The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues. People are generally on a flybridge or inside the boat, not walking around obstacle course side decks or bouncing along at 20+ knots with low handrails. (You must log in or sign up to reply here. Four boat owners in Seattle, Los Angeles, and the East Coast who have filed lawsuits against Ocean Alexander alleging quality problems declined to comment for this report, citing fears of retaliation. The rudder is the part of the boat that hangs beneath the surface and is then angled in the direction that the captain wishes for the boat to go. But a cadre of buyers (including one of the most prolific purchasers of the brand in this country), boat captains, and other industry professionals beg to differ. With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers. Australian Liz Wardley won numerous titles in the Hobie 16 class before skippering a yacht in the Sydney Hobart aged just 19. The end result had two serious problems that were anticipated. First, the hull weight was reduced by means of an intricate framing system. The problem with that was that anything that was saved on materials cost was more than offset by increased labor costs of achieving the detail work. analysis. Spring 2023 Issue 42: ). Right now Im doing a certificate in marine engineering, learning more about servicing and repairing engines on 80ft-plus boats.. This stays wet and allows installation of through-hulls to be successful, something always problematic aboard stepped-hull boats. Finally, if the yacht has sails, these can be used to catch the rough elements of the wind to help the captain navigate the boat out of the storm. Then you can start diagnosing the problem. Somehow I've found myself owning four oceans over the last three years, a 46, 60, 42 and another 60 in that order. In the days when mainsail booms and mainsheets hung over the transom, and fishermen hauled nets and traps over the side, the rounded corners of an ellyptical transom kept lines from getting hung up on the corners of the transom. You see this often but its very avoidable if you spend 20 to 30 minutes maintaining the winch every few months. If you have a patch of something pliable to stick over a leaky area, Sikaflex will bond the patch to the hull very effectively. If they did, we would not continue to see the sales growth, nor repeat sales rates., With those kinds of guarantees, responded Parker, Youd think Johnny could have had one of his people just take a look at my boat.. It handles more like a sports car with all four wheels firmly on the pavement. Its important to keep the parts moving, especially when the boat has been sitting around unused for a while. In rough seas, it is often more difficult to see ahead long distances. (I am looking for a convertible model). For example early IOR era boats have a bulge in their topsides that relates favorably increasing girth and also altering the apparent beam by distorting the hull at the points at which the beam measurement was taken. 2023 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide, Boat Test: 2023 Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer. It could be the chain has jumped off in the pedestal, or a splice has come undone, or youve chafed through a steering control line. Thirdly, the rudder of the yacht will play a pivotal role in helping to navigate the boat through the rough seas.