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[back] Stainless Steel – its role in Yachting Only developed in the first decade of the 20th century, stainless steels are irreplaceable in the world today. Whatever the application, there is no doubt that the many unique values of stainless steel make it a powerful choice when choosing your material. In many industries, stainless steel is often overlooked due to the relatively high cost involved. However, in an industry - such as yachting - where corrosion resistance is an essential (any material used will be more or less in constant contact with corrosive salt water) it’s not hard to see why the material often the first or only choice available. Even the lower alloyed grades able to resist corrosion in pure water environments. "Stainless Steel is the only thing to have on leisure boats. We use it because it has great strength and is cosmetically pleasing. It keeps its looks and resists the tough marine environment. There are very few alternatives of which none are even close. Bronze is very heavy. Aluminium is lighter, but because of this it needs to be thicker, and it doesnt keep its look without an added protective coating. Stainless steel is the material to use." Lorne Campbell from 'Lorne Campbell Design Naval Architects' Broadstone. As touched on by Lorne Campbell, one of the most apparent benefits of stainless steel – even to those who nothing about steel or yachting - is its aesthetic appearance. A view supported by Johnathan Macklin, Operations Manager of Sunseeker International Limited who says that “Sunseeker International use Stainless Steel in the production of their craft due to the benefit it maintains a good finish and is very easy to work with.” The bright, easily maintained surface of stainless steel indeed makes it’s a popular choice in yachting where appearances matter. Modern steel making techniques also make fabrication of many different styles and shapes relatively easy. With many yachts, especially racing yachts, being updated or changed, the long term life of stainless steel also means it has a high resale value for the sake of second hand parts. With the many unique shapes used in yachting the ease of stainless steel fabrication is also one of its great advantages, with modern steel making techniques meaning it can be cut, welded, formed, machined and fabricated as readily as traditional steels. In some cases the benefits of stainless steel are such that entire vessels are made from the made from the material. as happening in many Indonesia shipyards. In such instances the main benefit is that stainless can be sourced locally but, of course, there are also the added benefits are that the vessels can be made from 6mm compared to 8-10mm normal steel. There is no painting and a less maintence, With stainless steel such a perfect and obvious choice for yachting there is no surprise that there are many companies who make accessories exclusively for the marine market. However, it is the Dorset based company, Oval 316, who lead the way in making the best possible quality accessories for the world’s most expensive and luxurious super yachts such as the 187 feet Ultima, the 158 feet Grand Finale and the 315 feet Limitless. Oval 316 (formerly know as Malcolm Cole) was founded in 1986, and developed an oval section stainless steel tube and casting system for the marine trade. With its high class design and durability, its no surprise that the tubing, originally designed for yachting, has been also been used by architects and designers on many other projects. Yachting aside is seems fit, within this transport issue, to touch on the use of Oval 316 in other transport applications. Oval 316 tubing alone has been used by London Underground on the Circle Line and the landmark new tube station for the Jubilee Line. Oval 316 is also the producer of the world renowned “Timeless” deck furniture. These amazing pieces of furniture have appeared on some of the most prestigious yachts in the world. Yet another example of where the properties of stainless steel make is the connoisseur’s choice.
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