Why old glass boats have value...& safety built in!

[delvel]

In doing reserch for the re-build of "Puzley" our 59' Dorsett" Catalina' I came accross a website by David Pasco, Marine Surveyor.

Are they Fiberglass Boats anymore?
Core Hull Bottoms:the final word.
Core materials.

Great backgroung info well documentated with pictures etc.

Makes a guy happy to invest the time re-building a boat that will be safe and last.

www.yachtsurvey.com go to core &structual issues numerous articals to check out.

[Helmar]

I have been saying this for a couple of years now.
The older Classics are Built Better and Stronger.
Add some of the new foam and its safer than the new ones.

You have a classic that does not depreciate like a new boat.
Can't go wrong.

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

Old fiberglassboats=solid hand laid solid core hulls=strong

I read part of this article. Some of the construction standards these days are pretty poor. I've salvaged a lot of fiberglass boats that have met reefs and rocks, some at speed. I'll concure with the article that well built boats can take a lot and poorly made boats can't take much.

I'll post a pic or two of a core that I took out of the bottom of the Saratogan when I changed shaft angle. It is 3/4" thick, solid mat and roving. Built like a commercial 50 footer today. It's even thicker in "stress" areas such as the turn of the bilge and around the rudder bearings. 1 1/4" there!! I counted 17 24oz rovings in this core

These older fiberglass boats are pretty well built in general. Suggest you replace the tabbing to bulkheads, etc. though.

McSkagit