"Joe" wrote:
..... Want to add
something then just weld it on.

Fiberglass is even easier yet, it's stronger, and it doesn't rust.

Not easier, cracks, core rot, ect, more expensive and a pain in the
ass to work with,


Steel doesn't crack? And only unsealed wood core rots, and even when
it does, it is not so difficult to replace.

Pound for pound, fiberglass is stronger and it also has higher fatigue
resistance.

That's why smaller lighter boats are better off to be built of
fiberglass. If two structures are of equal strength, then the lighter
one is made of the stronger material (and/or had better engineering
design). Basic fact, sorry Joe.


Steel is the easiest to repair of all boat materials.

No it isn't. Not by far.

Easier than fiberglass


Baloney. If steel really was easier to work (not to mention cheaper)
than fiberglass, then most of the mass-produced boats in the world
would be steel. Mass production rewards cheapest (ie easiest) labor &
cost.


Her Detroit Diesel is the work horse of the world, only a spoiled
rotton yachty would not be happy with a Detroit.

Or simply a person who did not want a very noisy & cantankerous engine
that spewed finlthy oil mist all over the boat.


Well they keep running while spraying mist,

Yep, until the racks get slightly out of adjustment. Or a million
other things.


but I prefer to replace
gaskets when needed, and you can get parts anywhere on earth, just
like steel.


Guess what, it ain't the 1940s any more. You can get fiberglass &
resin anywhere in the world, too. Probably more easily available than
steel & welding supplies. And you can certainly carry decent working
supplies with you.

DSK