On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:41:36 -0500, stealth wrote:

With today's technology and available materials, why do boat builders still
use wood in the construction of their boats? From a layman's point of view,
it seems ludicrous to do so given that wood rots when exposed to water.

s

I know this sounds flip, but if you have to ask, you won't understand.
Many folks consider wood beautiful and like the feel and finish. For that
matter, why is there still so much brightwork? Mahogany lasts just fine
under paint, yet people varnish it which greatly increases maintenance.
The answer is they do it because they love the wood.

And, for the record, teak is a very low maintenance wood even with nothing
applied. I once owned a 38 foot Hubert Johnson. It was a beauty, built
out of solid woods (no plywood) lapstrake construction, monel fittings, but
we kept it painted to hold down maintenance. Today, I suppose that craft
would be made of fiberglass. Oh well...
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com