09.01.07
Steel Boat Building
As the Dix 43 which I am planning to build will have a steel hull, I have been doing quite a lot of research into this matter. I came upon the web site of Wynand Nortje from South Africa, called ‘Amateur Steel Boat Building’. Wynand is originally a boilermaker by trade, and started building boats in 1981. There is a lot of interesting information on his site about steel hull designs in general, welding techniques, paint and coating systems etc. etc.
He has built a total of 18 boats, amongst which several of the designs of Dudley Dix, like the Dix 38, 57, and 65.
Dix 43 S/V ‘Waratah’ « Stranded on the Largest Island said,
November 19, 2007 at 23:13 pm
[...] my last post much has happened. I posted earlier about the web site of Wynand Nortje covering steel boat building. Wynand has built 18 steel hull boats so far, amongst which several Dudley Dix designs. Well, to [...]
Wynand said,
November 20, 2007 at 3:12 am
Hi Andreas,
Thanks for the kind words. One little mistake though - I had build a Dix 65 and not a 64.
Look forward building SV Waratah
Stranded Mariner said,
November 20, 2007 at 9:37 am
Hello Wynand,
You are absolutely right about Dix 65. I have corrected it now.
Thanks and regards,
Andreas
Kas Pixie said,
April 13, 2008 at 9:51 am
Hello Andreas, Wynand
Magic seeing the SV Waratah taking shape - my compliments. I am building a Lavranos 50 footer also in steel (SV Marnajana) and have just finished the hull,keel, rudder assembly and fitting/placing the Yanmar engine with prop shaft (now removed for fitting out). BUTTTTT here my problem starts - where to now?? I would like to contact Wynand for some advice/consultancy. Is this possible? Thanks for your consideration.
Kas
Stranded Mariner said,
April 13, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hello Kas
Thanks for your kind comments. ‘Waratah’ is really going to look nice.
Where are you building your boat, if I may ask? The Lavranos designs look nice. Do you have any pictures?
As for contacting Wynand, just go to his web site: http://www.steelboatbuilder.com/ and contact him from there.
Good luck with your project.
Cheers,
Andreas
Kas Pixie said,
April 13, 2008 at 10:40 am
and Hello again Andreas - I am building near George in the Southern Cape. Love to post some photos - can I upload to this site. By the way when is your next update on Waratah (keep in manid March 2008 is laready 13 day gone). You in China? - it’s 04h38 here is South Africa
Stranded Mariner said,
April 13, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hello Kas,
I am working on my update right now actually. I was traveling all of last week, and only got back to China on Friday. You can send me your text and pictures, and I will put them up here. Just send to de2859@yahoo.com