I'm researching Australian/NZ sailboats. Are there any 30-35 ft boats widely available in Australia that has a solid glass hull (i.e. not cored) (and preferably deck as well)?
Is there any online database available for Australian boats?
They nearly all are solid glass hulls. Most will have a core in the deck with areas of solid glass at the stress points where fittings are installed or expected to be installed such as winch bases etc.
A couple off the top of my head
Clansman - glass hull, ply deck
compass northerner, 28, 29. My northerner was glass deck. Duncanson 29. I think the rest of the duncs are also solid glass hull. I believe it wasn't until the 80s they started doing balsa core in the hull. My cavalier is meant to be balsa core but I can confirm the v-berth is solid glass (I drilled a hole). It might be balsa in the centre half though.
See old thread here which discusses many in this size range, expect most would be solid glass. The Farr 1020 is an excellent all rounder - expect it is solid glass hull, not sure - there would be owners on this forum who can confirm, also if the deck is solid or glassed ply, or other. What did you want to do with the yacht - club race and a bit of local cruising or long range cruising?
www.sailnet.com/threads/australian-yachts-32-34ft.65551/
Select to expand quotetwodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Select to expand quotetwodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Anything built over 28ft is very likely going to be composite built in some part here in Australia.
Select to expand quoteZzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Hi Zzz
Interesting comment. Keen to hear your experiences to substantiate it.
Select to expand quoteWavesong said..Zzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Hi Zzz
Interesting comment. Keen to hear your experiences to substantiate it.
I have no doubt research will find information .
one fell to pieces going round the Horn ,( I know a great test) but a small plywood multi went around and so has a Triton 24 and a mates Mottle 33 Roof collapsed .
from sailing forums they recommend looking for the later built Mottle 33 because of the better build quality , maybe some of our Mottle owners can give some more information such as yourself ?
Select to expand quoteZzzzzz said..Wavesong said..Zzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Hi Zzz
Interesting comment. Keen to hear your experiences to substantiate it.
I have no doubt research will find information .
one fell to pieces going round the Horn ,( I know a great test) but a small plywood multi went around and so has a Triton 24 and a mates Mottle 33 Roof collapsed .
from sailing forums they recommend looking for the later built Mottle 33 because of the better build quality , maybe some of our Mottle owners can give some more information such as yourself ?
Hi again Zzz
The one that went round the Horn that you refer to is Bill Hatfield's Katherine Anne I'm assuming? Or is there another?
Strictly speaking, Bill's boat was not a Mottle 33 but rather an Adams 33. Aft cockpit, same hull but not a Mottle...but that's just nit-picking.
The boat had a rig failure. It did not fall to pieces. In fact, Bill turned around and limped back around Cape Horn to Port Stanley in the Falklands. Strapped for cash unable to do the repairs to get home, he sold her. Any boat can have a rig failure. That's not a Mottle specific issue.
Incidentally, I think you will find it was Bill Hatfield again who went around the Horn on a Triton 24. As anyone will tell you Zzz, pick the right weather window and you could go around in a tin can.
I'm very interested in learning more about the 'roof collaps(ing)' on your mate's boat. If you're still in touch with him, I'd love to make contact and have a chat.
The Sextons completed a circumnavigation in their earlier-built Mottle, Timana.
Mottles are regular entrants in the Darwin to Ambon and Dili events. Many, historically, completed the S2H.
In Tasmania, they remain very popular boats and there are many Bass Strait crossings under their keels. The principal of Southern Ocean Sailing school, Mark McRae, delivered one in stages from Hobart to Albany and only had fantastic things to say about them.
I spoke to Graham Radford a few months ago who, as an apprentice then later partner to Joe Adams at Adams Yacht Designs, was closely involved in the design of the Mottle 33. He vehemently dispelled the urban myth of the keel being positioned incorrectly in the earlier Mottle-built boats and that it was rectified when Naut took over production. This is a myth!
He said that there was a problem on some of the Mottles with the ballast not being securely bedded in the keel cavity. My boat is one affected (but rectified), however, mine is a 1986 built high-sided.
There are reports of some cracks in
the internal furniture mouldings, of which I have a few on mine. They look bad, however, as they are not structural or load-bearing, they remain a long way down the To Do list.
There's a lot still kicking around being cruised, raced, lived aboard and loved with future adventures being planned. A young couple are sailing theirs home to Tasmania from Melbourne next month and a Brazilian couple are making plans to sail theirs home to Brazil
Hope that has helped
Thanks heaps for the information.
Is there anyway to know for sure whether a boat has a full glass hull? Would the displacement compared to the size of the boat give you a good indication, as solid glass hull would be heavier?
Select to expand quoteWavesong said..Zzzzzz said..Wavesong said..Zzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Hi Zzz
Interesting comment. Keen to hear your experiences to substantiate it.
I have no doubt research will find information .
one fell to pieces going round the Horn ,( I know a great test) but a small plywood multi went around and so has a Triton 24 and a mates Mottle 33 Roof collapsed .
from sailing forums they recommend looking for the later built Mottle 33 because of the better build quality , maybe some of our Mottle owners can give some more information such as yourself ?
Hi again Zzz
The one that went round the Horn that you refer to is Bill Hatfield's Katherine Anne I'm assuming? Or is there another?
Strictly speaking, Bill's boat was not a Mottle 33 but rather an Adams 33. Aft cockpit, same hull but not a Mottle...but that's just nit-picking.
The boat had a rig failure. It did not fall to pieces. In fact, Bill turned around and limped back around Cape Horn to Port Stanley in the Falklands. Strapped for cash unable to do the repairs to get home, he sold her. Any boat can have a rig failure. That's not a Mottle specific issue.
Incidentally, I think you will find it was Bill Hatfield again who went around the Horn on a Triton 24. As anyone will tell you Zzz, pick the right weather window and you could go around in a tin can.
I'm very interested in learning more about the 'roof collaps(ing)' on your mate's boat. If you're still in touch with him, I'd love to make contact and have a chat.
The Sextons completed a circumnavigation in their earlier-built Mottle, Timana.
Mottles are regular entrants in the Darwin to Ambon and Dili events. Many, historically, completed the S2H.
In Tasmania, they remain very popular boats and there are many Bass Strait crossings under their keels. The principal of Southern Ocean Sailing school, Mark McRae, delivered one in stages from Hobart to Albany and only had fantastic things to say about them.
I spoke to Graham Radford a few months ago who, as an apprentice then later partner to Joe Adams at Adams Yacht Designs, was closely involved in the design of the Mottle 33. He vehemently dispelled the urban myth of the keel being positioned incorrectly in the earlier Mottle-built boats and that it was rectified when Naut took over production. This is a myth!
He said that there was a problem on some of the Mottles with the ballast not being securely bedded in the keel cavity. My boat is one affected (but rectified), however, mine is a 1986 built high-sided.
There are reports of some cracks in
the internal furniture mouldings, of which I have a few on mine. They look bad, however, as they are not structural or load-bearing, they remain a long way down the To Do list.
There's a lot still kicking around being cruised, raced, lived aboard and loved with future adventures being planned. A young couple are sailing theirs home to Tasmania from Melbourne next month and a Brazilian couple are making plans to sail theirs home to Brazil
Hope that has helped
Hi again Wavesong great reply Adams designs very nice sailing boats and I am a fan of many of them I will try to get the contact number for you of the guy with the roof problems , he did rectify it he lives up in Cairns he may already be on your site , it was through him I heard the Story of Looking for the second builder of them .
Select to expand quoteZzzzzz said..Wavesong said..Zzzzzz said..Wavesong said..Zzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Hi Zzz
Interesting comment. Keen to hear your experiences to substantiate it.
I have no doubt research will find information .
one fell to pieces going round the Horn ,( I know a great test) but a small plywood multi went around and so has a Triton 24 and a mates Mottle 33 Roof collapsed .
from sailing forums they recommend looking for the later built Mottle 33 because of the better build quality , maybe some of our Mottle owners can give some more information such as yourself ?
Hi again Zzz
The one that went round the Horn that you refer to is Bill Hatfield's Katherine Anne I'm assuming? Or is there another?
Strictly speaking, Bill's boat was not a Mottle 33 but rather an Adams 33. Aft cockpit, same hull but not a Mottle...but that's just nit-picking.
The boat had a rig failure. It did not fall to pieces. In fact, Bill turned around and limped back around Cape Horn to Port Stanley in the Falklands. Strapped for cash unable to do the repairs to get home, he sold her. Any boat can have a rig failure. That's not a Mottle specific issue.
Incidentally, I think you will find it was Bill Hatfield again who went around the Horn on a Triton 24. As anyone will tell you Zzz, pick the right weather window and you could go around in a tin can.
I'm very interested in learning more about the 'roof collaps(ing)' on your mate's boat. If you're still in touch with him, I'd love to make contact and have a chat.
The Sextons completed a circumnavigation in their earlier-built Mottle, Timana.
Mottles are regular entrants in the Darwin to Ambon and Dili events. Many, historically, completed the S2H.
In Tasmania, they remain very popular boats and there are many Bass Strait crossings under their keels. The principal of Southern Ocean Sailing school, Mark McRae, delivered one in stages from Hobart to Albany and only had fantastic things to say about them.
I spoke to Graham Radford a few months ago who, as an apprentice then later partner to Joe Adams at Adams Yacht Designs, was closely involved in the design of the Mottle 33. He vehemently dispelled the urban myth of the keel being positioned incorrectly in the earlier Mottle-built boats and that it was rectified when Naut took over production. This is a myth!
He said that there was a problem on some of the Mottles with the ballast not being securely bedded in the keel cavity. My boat is one affected (but rectified), however, mine is a 1986 built high-sided.
There are reports of some cracks in
the internal furniture mouldings, of which I have a few on mine. They look bad, however, as they are not structural or load-bearing, they remain a long way down the To Do list.
There's a lot still kicking around being cruised, raced, lived aboard and loved with future adventures being planned. A young couple are sailing theirs home to Tasmania from Melbourne next month and a Brazilian couple are making plans to sail theirs home to Brazil
Hope that has helped
Hi again Wavesong great reply Adams designs very nice sailing boats and I am a fan of many of them I will try to get the contact number for you of the guy with the roof problems , he did rectify it he lives up in Cairns he may already be on your site , it was through him I heard the Story of Looking for the second builder of them .
Cool. Thanks .
Also, @Hevene...apologies for the thread hijack 
Select to expand quoteHevene said..
Thanks heaps for the information.
Is there anyway to know for sure whether a boat has a full glass hull? Would the displacement compared to the size of the boat give you a good indication, as solid glass hull would be heavier?
No. As you say the solid glass hull "should be" heavier - depending on the grp lay-up used and total thickness. But you need absolute confirmation from the designers specs and builders quality assurance system - if they used one. A slipping would easily show the hull and deck constructions by means of renewing a through hull underwater skin fitting, and a bolted through deck fitting - albeit as per Ramona if the deck was cored or ply with solid grp at deck fittings then a small hole drilled through the deck and later epoxy glue filled would be needed - or NDT methods could be used - obviously at some cost. Note that if you are going to use NDT to determine if your hull is single skin grp of foam sandwich, then be sure to task a company that has successfully done foam sandwich thickness ndt testing before, and given appropriate results for the inner and outer laminate grp thicknesses, and the core thickness.
maritimesurveyaustralia.com.au/
www.globalmarineservices.com.au/ultrasonictesting.php
Select to expand quoteZzzzzz said..twodogs1969 said..
Mottle 33
There are two builders of the Mottle 33 and though one was better than the other they are still badly built.
Sounds like you have pulled the oppinon from where the sun doesn't shine
Savage defiance 30 built in williamstown Vic solid glass hull and deck / cabintop .
Select to expand quoteSandS said..
Savage defiance 30 built in williamstown Vic solid glass hull and deck / cabintop .
Thank you, noted!
I have been looking at a 1987 Arends 33, designer is Ron Swanson and built by John Arends. Is this a solid fiberglass hull boat?
Select to expand quoteHevene said..
I have been looking at a 1987 Arends 33, designer is Ron Swanson and built by John Arends. Is this a solid fiberglass hull boat?
Cored hulls are fairly rare in production yachts. Especially in the smaller yachts.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..Hevene said..
I have been looking at a 1987 Arends 33, designer is Ron Swanson and built by John Arends. Is this a solid fiberglass hull boat?
Cored hulls are fairly rare in production yachts. Especially in the smaller yachts.
That's good to know. I always thought it was the opposite, cored hulled more common in production yachts, to save on cost.
Select to expand quoteHevene said..
I have been looking at a 1987 Arends 33, designer is Ron Swanson and built by John Arends. Is this a solid fiberglass hull boat?
The hull is solid glass I've had a J24, Compass 28, Cavalier 32 and Arends 33 I've found the Arends to be the best all rounder mine has been all around the Pacific Islands (previous owner). Not sure what I'd replace it with in this size range and as Cisco said the interior is very well done.
Select to expand quoteHevene said..Ramona said..
That's good to know. I always thought it was the opposite, cored hulled more common in production yachts, to save on cost.
Cored hulls are much more expensive than solid hulls.
Walker H28 Ketch
7 mm all the way around, built like a brick out house, not a rocket ship granted but well built
Re Mottle 33s:- I have mentioned this before in a previous thread.
First there was the Mottle 33 and then in the early 80s George Mottle sold the rights to production building of the Adams 33 to Naut Yachts and the yachts became Naut 33s after Joe Adams inspected the moulds and stated "The Mottle 33s had the keel in the wrong position."
Look it up, do your research and see if I am correct.
The Naut 33 is a better yacht than the Mottle 33.
Wavesong and twodogs1969. do you both agree with what I have stated above?????????????????
Select to expand quoteHevene said..
Anyone know anything about Sparkman & Stephens 34, if it is cored or not?
The new generation ss34 has a foam core hull, deck and internal bulkheads. Vacuum infused with vinylester resin .
The older ones have solid glass hulls.
Decks are a mix of balsa and foam with some solid glass areas.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Re Mottle 33s:- I have mentioned this before in a previous thread.
First there was the Mottle 33 and then in the early 80s George Mottle sold the rights to production building of the Adams 33 to Naut Yachts and the yachts became Naut 33s after Joe Adams inspected the moulds and stated "The Mottle 33s had the keel in the wrong position."
Look it up, do your research and see if I am correct.
The Naut 33 is a better yacht than the Mottle 33.
Wavesong and twodogs1969. do you both agree with what I have stated above?????????????????
Cisco, I really would love to lay this myth to rest.
I spoke to Graham Radford earlier this year who, as most know, was an apprentice then partner with Joe Adams at Adams Yacht Designs. Graham was involved in drawing the Mottle, in particular the coach house.
He vehemently dismissed the keel myth as an utter nonsense. It never happened.
The only issue with the keels was the lead ballast blocks were not bedded properly in the keel cavity in some of the boats.
Mine was built in '86 by Naut and is a high-sided model and was one of the boats affected. It was rectified before I bought her.
Select to expand quoteWavesong said..cisco said..
Re Mottle 33s:- I have mentioned this before in a previous thread.
First there was the Mottle 33 and then in the early 80s George Mottle sold the rights to production building of the Adams 33 to Naut Yachts and the yachts became Naut 33s after Joe Adams inspected the moulds and stated "The Mottle 33s had the keel in the wrong position."
Look it up, do your research and see if I am correct.
The Naut 33 is a better yacht than the Mottle 33.
Wavesong and twodogs1969. do you both agree with what I have stated above?????????????????
Cisco, I really would love to lay this myth to rest.
I spoke to Graham Radford earlier this year who, as most know, was an apprentice then partner with Joe Adams at Adams Yacht Designs. Graham was involved in drawing the Mottle, in particular the coach house.
He vehemently dismissed the keel myth as an utter nonsense. It never happened.
The only issue with the keels was the lead ballast blocks were not bedded properly in the keel cavity in some of the boats.
Mine was built in '86 by Naut and is a high-sided model and was one of the boats affected. It was rectified before I bought her.
But Trace, it was on the internet so it must be true!!! 
