Fibreglass hull life duration?

Joe · Sep 2, 2009

Somebody's jerking your chain. Whoever's told you that must be a wooden boat salesman. Why didn't you ask the moron that told you that why there are so many 60's and 70's era boats still active, and so few wooden ones?"

But, if you want to believe that I've got a Nigerian friend who can make you a millionaire and a bridge in Brooklyn that's for sale... cheap.

The real truth is that fiberglass boats have stood the test of time beyond the expectations of the original designers.

Ross · Sep 2, 2009

I have a 1968 30 footer that is still a completely trustworthy vessel. There have been some used and abused fiberglass boats that were euthanized before they were 20 years old but there have been many more wooden boats that never lasted twenty years.

tommays · Sep 2, 2009

Well

It depends on how its built a LOT

IF it can flex to much than like any material it will fail at some point

I thought this was more of and issue with raceboats until the recent Oday 302s that drop there keels from sump failure

On the other had i sail on a 1981 and 1970 boat without fear BUT the 1970 C&C 35 did in fact require some pretty serious fiberglass work about two years ago in front of and behind the keel BUt that was after being used a race boat its entire life

Tim R. · Sep 2, 2009

tommays said:
the 1970 C&C 35 did in fact require some pretty serious fiberglass work about two years ago in front of and behind the keel BUt that was after being used a race boat its entire life

Racers like to sail in the shallows to avoid current so I bet it probably had some groundings.

RichH · Sep 2, 2009

Probably some truth to the 20 year lifetime of FRG hulls with 2 failure modes going on at the same time:
1. chemical degradation as 'hydrolysis' - an analogue of 'rusting' in polymers where water contact and infusion continually breaks down the long chain molecules of the polyester, etc.
2. Fatigue - been lots of published papers at the USNaval Academy that predict the lifetime of FRG hulls. But that implies that a boat is actually being used and isnt sitting in a slip as a 'dockside entertainment center'.

So, if a FRG boat is used 'hard' (ie.: a circumnavigation, etc.) and doesnt have a good barrier coat system, etc. then probably 20 years is a good safe guestimate.

A good tech. article on FRG fatigue in recreations boats: http://www.usna.edu/Users/naome/phm...ediction Verification of Fiberglass Hulls.pdf

Randy Burns · Sep 2, 2009

I had a fiberglass 1955 Rhodes 18 built by Cape Code Shipyard that other than gelcoat crazing was fine. On the other hand, all boats aren't built equal, it may be worth searching Practical Sailor boat reviews as a starting point when looking at older boats.

bffatcat · Sep 2, 2009

Fiberglass sailboat life

Ive got a 1975 Pearson 26W Ive had it for 10 years The hull is the same now as when I bought it. No leaks no crazing No deterioration anywhere. All the running and standing rigging was replaced by me. As well as the sails. As far as integrity goes shes as good as she was in 1975 except for cosmetics. When these boats were first built they had no idea how long the hulls would last. This is why most of the original builders like bristol, pearson, ericson, islander etc: went out of business around 1990. No one was buying new boats. There were too many good used ones around. I dont know about the new boats that are being built today, they are a lot lighter with composite cores. Maybe its about planned in obsolesence.
If you buy a good old boat that has been properly maintained and treat it with respect it should last as long as you need it.

Tim R. · Sep 2, 2009

Randy Burns said:
I had a fiberglass 1955 Rhodes 18 built by Cape Code Shipyard that other than gelcoat crazing was fine. On the other hand, all boats aren't built equal, it may be worth searching Practical Sailor boat reviews as a starting point when looking at older boats.

I also had a 1955 Rhodes 18 built by CCS. Build like a tank. Very thick gelcoat on top of very thick FRP that was very prone to crazing. Ended up painting it after lots of fairing and filling.

http://treilley.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album05

tommays · Sep 2, 2009

The C&C 35s first owner had much money and hired Britton Chance to do 2 keels a rudder and doubble spreader mast and did a long term IOR thing AND we were counting and the current owner has raced it over 300 times with 12 AIL races as well as many other distance races

The final keel is now 7' draft and had a smaller footprint as well as the added stress from the new rig was pushing the mast through the hull

While NOT a C&C issue if he had looked the other way it would have failed

Richard Bryer · Sep 2, 2009

Here is a picture of the 1976 San Juan 24 I used to own and still race on. It is original hull gelcoat. The deck is in good shape, the hardware is due for a re-bedding. Always kept waxed and still has a lot of good races in her. Cinched first over all again last night.

Franklin · Sep 2, 2009

Mine is a 13 year old boat and I expect it to last me another 30 years and I think it will.

sand sailor · Sep 3, 2009

mine's a 68 solid as a rock

rickmorel · Sep 3, 2009

Ours is a 1963 Pearson Rhodes 41. No crazing or cracks or any problems at all. In fact I recently drilled though the 2" thick bottom at the stern for a thru-hull and it had that "fresh fiberglass" smell.

"Valkyrie" has been raced for years by PO's and well maintained thoughout her life. We went through Hurricanes Gustav and Ike aboard.

Stu Jackson · Sep 3, 2009

bffatcat said:
When these boats were first built they had no idea how long the hulls would last. This is why most of the original builders like bristol, pearson, ericson, islander etc: went out of business around 1990.

That's simply not true. They went out of business because of the misguided, yes STUPID boat tax that Bush's father when president had enacted. Taxed baost over $100,000 quite a large percentage. So, "rich folks" stopped buying 'cuz they could afford to ait it out - it eventually got rescinded as law, but it was too late for those boat builders who went out fo business.

The "claim" that "overbuilding" boats is what put boat builders out of business is pure hogwash!

Ours is a 1986 - do the math - it'll last another 20 years.

Ross · Sep 3, 2009

I have seen some very flimsy, small fiberglass boats of some age. But the boats that were built as cruising sailboats may last as long as people will care for them. Wooden boats on the other hand will be fire wood if left in a pasture for five years. Ask Charlie Cobra how long a wooden boat can be neglected! He is working to restore one that has been rather well cared for. I predict that there will be more hundred year old fiberglass boats than there have ever been hundred year old wooden boats.

RichH · Sep 3, 2009

Stu Jackson said:
That's simply not true. They went out of business because of the misguided, yes STUPID boat tax that Bush's father when president had enacted. Taxed baost over $100,000 quite a large percentage. So, "rich folks" stopped buying 'cuz they could afford to ait it out - it eventually got rescinded as law, but it was too late for those boat builders who went out fo business.

Just to add a little correction to your 'post'.
Please dont consider this to be 'politics' as this reply is **history* not opinion, and involves the US boating industry in the 1990s
The infamous BOAT TAX, the one that resulted in the loss of 40-60,000 US boatbuilding jobs, the closure of many of the 'standard' builders, etc. etc. .... was authored by none other than the ever famous New England 'sailor' ---- TEDDY KENNEDY. This was added as a 'rider ammendment' to important/vital legislation that was being passed and HAD to be signed by the then president (GHWBush). TED KENNEDY - who was the second most liberal senator at the time.
This was the SECOND proposed 'boat tax' by a Kennedy as Pres. Kennedy proposed this (but it never got through congressional committee) in 1962. http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...7L0SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TPoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6100,727449

Roger Long · Sep 4, 2009

RichH said:
Probably some truth to the 20 year lifetime of FRG hulls

That's 20 years until they have measurably less strength than when built. 20 - 30 years ago, most fiberglass boats were built conservatively enough that they will still have enough strength for safe service. They may even be stronger than some new boats built today.

For the boats built after constant oilcanning became acceptable in the market, the strength degredation after 20 years could be a much more significant issue.

Mario G · Sep 4, 2009

I drive a car thats 44 yrs old that the "Expert" said was junk and unsafe , I won't compare it to the cars made to day but like alot of things I believe at one time things were made to last now everything is disposible. Yes there are things that need attention on my 34 yr old boat but the hull even gel coat look great and I've gone over ever inch.
I'm sure there are a good number of older boats out ther that have been abused and in bad shape, but if you look there are countless numbers from the 60's and 70's out there being cared for and enjoyed.

Ross · Sep 4, 2009

RichH said:
Just to add a little correction to your 'post'.
Please dont consider this to be 'politics' as this reply is **history* not opinion, and involves the US boating industry in the 1990s
The infamous BOAT TAX, the one that resulted in the loss of 40-60,000 US boatbuilding jobs, the closure of many of the 'standard' builders, etc. etc. .... was authored by none other than the ever famous New England 'sailor' ---- TEDDY KENNEDY. This was added as a 'rider ammendment' to important/vital legislation that was being passed and HAD to be signed by the then president (GHWBush). TED KENNEDY - who was the second most liberal senator at the time.
This was the SECOND proposed 'boat tax' by a Kennedy as Pres. Kennedy proposed this (but it never got through congressional committee) in 1962. http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...7L0SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TPoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6100,727449

I favor taxing those things that we don't need and not taxing the things that we do need. The list is very long in both catagories.

Fibreglass hull life duration?

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