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@Jacqui
27.07.2012
Getting ahead of Myself:
In the past two months or so, I've been obsessed with the notion that Miracle needs re-plating. I kept reading about other boats and the thickness of their hulls. New builds are typically 10/6/4. Thats the measurement of the steel from bottom, sides and above the gunnels. I got it in my head, like so many others that the make of my boat (a Springer) was about to fall apart.
This quietly ate away at me, causing many sleepless nights.
Then yesterday I read a of another Springer owner who, also terrified had expressed their fears to the boater community. Someone commented quite realisitically that its only been in the last decade that boats were made 10 / 6 / 4 and that there are more Springers on the water than any other make.
The person was a surveyor.
He noted that steel composition has varied greatly over the years, and that people's maintenance also plays a major factor in a boats condition. He reassuringly and objectively went over the facts. A typical springer was made with 3mm steel. He challenged that a survey showing a Springer, of 1991 parentage, like Miracle for example that's reading was at 2.9 -2.8 was infact an incredibly stable composition having in 20 years only lost .2 overall of her steel.
He was further in reassuring reminding me that this loss, wasn't entirely accurate in showing true loss. The paperwork for Miracle clearly shows and documents her having undergone a professional shot blast treatment. This treatment is done to secure longevity, its an intense process bringing her back to bare steel and removing any and all rust. It is accepted that the process itself removes a nonminal amount of the steel (approximately .1mm)
I re read my survey. Miracle is 2.8 - 2.9mm of steel. She's VC coated (the best product to prevent rust). In 20 years her steel has degraded .1mm overall ownig to use and .1mm from shotblasting.
In short. I was worrying that despite a nominal loss in the first 20 years of her life that somehow me being aboard was going to "magically" change her composition and expedite the deterioratioin.
I have a pretty high expectation of myself, don't I?
Realistically, there's no reason why my little Miracle can't happily, under a strict maintenance programme happily continue her life for another 20 - 40 years.
Silly girl, me..
I'm really glad I re-read my survey. It's made my day.