Tonyjvan writes about his problem with "solid glass" boats, that there
isn't any any more.

I may actually have one -- a 77 Sea Ray.

According to David Gerr, in "The Nature of Boats", if the builder and
designer understand the material they're using, it will perform
wonderfully.

Further, the problem with composites is not that the composites are
flawed, but that the manufacturing process had not been perfected.

David Gerr shows that a solid glass hull, like (probably) my Sea Ray, is
very heavy compared to a well built composite of the same strength.
A balsa core can drastically reduce weight while maintaining the same or
better rigidity necessary in a hull. Stringers are still necessary, but
far less material is. Unfortunately if a balsa core is not sealed
correctly, it will be exposed to air and/or water, and will consequently
degrade -- and ultimately fail.

Warning: Mr. Gerr makes a compelling argument for epoxy sealed wood as
the ideal material for medium sized boats based on strength vs. weight
and maintenance and insulation. Not to mention wood's sensory appeal.
So if you've got the cash, go for wood.

If not, get a used hull and renovate her the way you want. If it's used
you know the manufacturing process was good enough to last this long, so
the composite core may not have been rotted.

Good luck.

PS: this advice is coming from someone who has almost no experience with
power boats, leaving for a 95 mile cruise -- one way -- in a 26 year old
boat he's taken out a half a dozen times. My only credentials a 1)
consulting with US Marine on their IT requirements and getting a tour of
their factory; 2) reading a few books; 3) Small Boat Sailing merit
badge, earned approximately the same year my current boat was built.