I have somebody interested in buying my Uphams-built composite Twister, should I decide to sell her.
He raced in another Twister (he can't remember her name) many years ago and reckons that one was Lloyds classified.
He has asked if my Twister was classified by Lloyds when she was built, but I don't know the answer.
If she was, I have no document to prove it.
Any ideas as to how I should go about finding out and, if she was Lloyds classified, getting a duplicate certificate?
ps Perhaps there was a blanket classification covering all Tyler-moulded Twister hulls, or all those built by Uphams.
Hi John,
Whilst no expert in this field I'll offer the following observations:
In order to be 'classed' by Lloyds vessels have to have their design and scantlings approved. They also have to be built under the supervision of a Lloyds surveyor. Subsequently when in service they have to have periodic surveys and all specified remedial works carried out to the surveyor's satisfaction in order to remain 'In Class'. Vessels that are not 'In Class' may well be unable to be insured and fail other regulatory hurdles.
I think that it's highly unlikely that either Tylers or Uphams would have built any craft to 'Lloyds' unless the owner specifically requested it and paid for the privilege! Following that the 'Class' would have lapsed unless it was kept up to date.
The only avenue I can suggest is, if you can find one, to have a look for a copy of Lloyds Register of Yachts. (Sometimes to be found in the libraries of venerable clubs). I believe that it was discontinued as a printed volume in 1980. It used to give the salient details of the vessel and I'm sure would also have listed that it was 'In Class' If you Google Lloyds Register of Yachts you'll find a number of leads and see what I mean.
I think your friend may be leading you up a dead end path of no relevance!
Cheers,
John
In the early dark ages of grp many boat builders sold boats as “Lloyds Approved”. In essence this meant that the production techniques and standards used by the moulders were approved by Lloyds for what was called series production. I recall that a certificate was issued by the builders with a fancy Lloyds’ emblem. I believe that this production standard died out when the number of grp boat builders increased and costs resulted in boats being built down to a specification, rather than up to one. Tylers, Halmatic and Seamaster (amongst others) all moulded hulls/superstructures to Lloyds series production standards if the fitting out builder was prepared to pay the premium, otherwise they moulded to their own standards which were, I suspect, indistinguishable from the series production requirements, but without a certificate. Builders used to put reference to “Lloyds Approved” in their brochures as a selling point. I have not seen a brochure for a Twister, but if anyone has one it may make a helpful reference.
I have looked at the records and the Tylers build records [in the Archive] have a column headed 'Cert No.' A 'Navalco' [presumably a company] purchased yard number 114 and have the sole entry in the 'Cert No.' column on that page of: 6973. Could that be a Lloyds number?
As I am doing probably the most comprehensive rebuild of an all GRP Twister that has ever been done, I can report that the boat is built like a brick outhouse, although there is sloppy work here and there, specifically some of the sprayed up chop-strand - which of course was hidden by the plastic liner so no one would see it anyway (until I came along and got rid of it). I don't think you need to have a Lloyds cert to be happy with the strong build even if it was a bit agriculture here and there.
Though I "get it" that 'Lloyds Certified" does sound kind of cool.
As I am doing probably the most comprehensive rebuild of an all GRP Twister that has ever been done, I can report that the boat is built like a brick outhouse, although there is sloppy work here and there, specifically some of the sprayed up chop-strand - which of course was hidden by the plastic liner so no one would see it anyway (until I came along and got rid of it). I don't think you need to have a Lloyds cert to be happy with the strong build even if it was a bit agriculture here and there.
Though I "get it" that 'Lloyds Certified" does sound kind of cool.
Looking forwards to your next update!
Kiwi Twister said
As I am doing probably the most comprehensive rebuild of an all GRP Twister that has ever been done, I can report that the boat is built like a brick outhouse, although there is sloppy work here and there, specifically some of the sprayed up chop-strand - which of course was hidden by the plastic liner so no one would see it anyway (until I came along and got rid of it). I don't think you need to have a Lloyds cert to be happy with the strong build even if it was a bit agriculture here and there.
Though I "get it" that 'Lloyds Certified" does sound kind of cool.
As the originator of this thread I should point out that throughout the 27 years I owned 'Tammie Norie' I never had the slightest doubt about her hull strength.
But a potential buyer asked me a specific question, and I felt obliged to give him an answer.
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