Andrew it's not a type 45 Destroyer. It is an 18 ' grp bath with a top on. When they built em i bet none of them were the same to within 10 mm. I have a 27 and there isn't any uniform measurements on it ie top to bottom end to end etc. Add's to the fun.
The Normans are pretty bomb proof in normal use although the construction methods bonding topsides to hull resulted in a weak point at the transom that shows up on all Normans regardless of year. A moisture meter will tell the story - the balsa core is usually wet which is why it is unwise to load a Norman with the maximum rated engine power. Otherwise the lay-up is well over done compared to modern craft and they are pretty tough.
The only things an 18' needs apart from the stringers and frames that Norman glassed into the hull are the original main bulkheads glassed in to u/side of side decks and the fore cabin bunk moulding or timber bunks retained glassed in and the cockpit bunk/seats glassed in. These provide essential stiffness for the hull when the boat planes in a bit of a lollop at sea and are a standard stiffening feature of most similar sized boats.
They are a basic "deep vee" constant deadrise hull design with moulded spray rails to hull sections making a very stable and fast off-shore platform in even rough seas. There is otherwise no rocket science in construction.
tech specs
Posted - 08 Feb 2016 : 19:24:42
