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In regard to plywood/composite construction, have any large boats ever been
built using this method?

I'm thinking about "large" to mean any large pleasure or commercial boats

As an example, does the Navy have any composite boats in its fleet?\

If you're thinking that the fact that 'large boats' made in plywood form
a minority in the 'large boats' category, means that plywood or
composite construction is inferior to steel or solid wood, you're making
a mistake.

Every construction method has it's pro's and con's and often these are
related tot the size of the vessel. Small boats in steel are not good in
size to weight ratio, for instance. The advantages of steel begin to
weigh in for boats over 40 feet.
Solid wood is expensive to build and requires a lot more maintenance and
care.

I have been told a real boat deserves to be kept in the water; however, also
been told plywood (composite) needs to be kept out of the water as much as
possible !

You've probably been talking to some old salty traditionalist.
What he meant is that a boat made out of solid wood is best kept in the
water permanently. Boats made out of solid wood often leak when they
have been ashore for some time and are launched again.
The part about keeping a composite boat on dry land as much as possible
is no longer true, if it ever was.
There is a slight exeption: a GRP boat (polyester and glasfibre) could
live longer if you let it dry out in the cold season. It reduces the
chance on osmosis.
Plywood boats, sealed with epoxy (ideally covered in epoxy and
glasscloth) can live in the water or on dry land with no problem for
indefinite periods of time.

Anybody have any knowledge of these type boats/construction that have been
in service for more than a couple years?

There are plenty. Look at the boats Sam Devlin builds, for instance
(http://www.devlinboat.com/).

--
schippertje

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