JagJr

I have a 1964 ChrisCraft Sea Strake, which sports a plywood lower hull with
the lapping sea strake upper hull.

I would gather, by your description this could be considered to be a "large"
pleasure boat. If you conceder 31 foot to be "large".

Because of the construction of this particular vessel, she needs to be in
the water as much as possible to maintain the swelling of the wood to stop
her from leaking.

http://www.wildhorse-webdesign.com/boat if you care to take a look

"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
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?

Any commercial fisherman on a composite boat?

Are there any "composite constructed" Head Boats out there?

Composite construction might save time and money but you need to consider
longevity too ? Correct?

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 !

So ....it's difficult getting an answer in regard to composite
contstruction.

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

That's a pretty boat and I enjoyed looking at your photos. It's neat the
way you parked your truck by the side of your boat. It gives the viewer a
good idea about the relative size of your boat.

A question I have is this ...you say, "....which sports a plywood lower hull
with the lapping sea strake upper hull."

If the lower hull is plywood and the upper "lapping ( I assume maybe
lapping plywood strakes, does that mean the lower hull is sheet plywood? If
so why "she needs to be in the water as much as possible to maintain the
swelling of the wood to stop her from leaking."

I'm impressed about the longevity of your boat if it's truly built out of
plywood.

However, it's not a composite boat. My question is about boats that are
truly composite construction.

Thanks for the truly interesting photos and response and best regards !!

She has a solid Mahogany Keel, plywood sheet bottom and solid Mahogany
strakes. To keep the keel swelled up and to maintain the pressure from the
swelling on the plywood, she must stay in the water.

"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
That's a pretty boat and I enjoyed looking at your photos. It's neat the
way you parked your truck by the side of your boat. It gives the viewer a
good idea about the relative size of your boat.

A question I have is this ...you say, "....which sports a plywood lower
hull
with the lapping sea strake upper hull."

If the lower hull is plywood and the upper "lapping ( I assume maybe
lapping plywood strakes, does that mean the lower hull is sheet plywood?
If
so why "she needs to be in the water as much as possible to maintain the
swelling of the wood to stop her from leaking."

I'm impressed about the longevity of your boat if it's truly built out of
plywood.

However, it's not a composite boat. My question is about boats that are
truly composite construction.

Thanks for the truly interesting photos and response and best regards !!

Thank you; that's interesting. And the plywood bottom survived after all
these years. I now have more respect for plywood as a boat building
material.

Intuition tells me the hull wasn't sheathed in glass/epoxy ...or was it ?

Also, I imagine a boat its size remained in the water during the boating
season instead of being "trailered".

I've read a lot about the need to keep a plywood boat out of the water, as
much as possible, in order to expect any longevity.

Maybe this boat is an aberration but I hope not. I'm
considering to build a composite plywood hull and will keep docked it in
salt water for six months out of the year.

I was told this wouldn't work. I was told to put it in at the beginning of
the day and take it out at the end.

I'm starting to feel a little more confident in plywood composite hulls.

Actually, this boat was in the water from the first launch until about 5
years ago when it started the refinishing...(I think 354 years in the water
is a good testament) I just bought it a few months ago and haven't gotten
it into the water yet, but did put a garden hose into it last weekend to see
if I would have reason to worry when I re-launch her this summer... Well
lets just say I am planning on extra bilge pumps... She is showing a few
leaks!!!

Hoping she swells up fast!!!


"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
Thank you; that's interesting. And the plywood bottom survived after all
these years. I now have more respect for plywood as a boat building
material.

Intuition tells me the hull wasn't sheathed in glass/epoxy ...or was it ?

Also, I imagine a boat its size remained in the water during the boating
season instead of being "trailered".

I've read a lot about the need to keep a plywood boat out of the water, as
much as possible, in order to expect any longevity.

Maybe this boat is an aberration but I hope not. I'm
considering to build a composite plywood hull and will keep docked it in
salt water for six months out of the year.

I was told this wouldn't work. I was told to put it in at the beginning
of
the day and take it out at the end.

I'm starting to feel a little more confident in plywood composite hulls.

On Sun, 16 May 2004 00:08:45 GMT, wrote:

Actually, this boat was in the water from the first launch until about 5
years ago when it started the refinishing...(I think 354 years in the water
is a good testament)

Dude! That beats the USS CONSTITUTION by about 140 years!! Kewl!!

- Rick "I only make fun of tpyos that are truly funny" Tyler

--
"Ignorant voracity -- a wingless vulture -- can soar only into the
depths of ignominy." Patrick O'Brian

Oppps... I missed on that one!!!

Was supposed to be 35 years

"Rick Tyler" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 May 2004 00:08:45 GMT, wrote:

Actually, this boat was in the water from the first launch until about 5
years ago when it started the refinishing...(I think 354 years in the
water
is a good testament)

Dude! That beats the USS CONSTITUTION by about 140 years!! Kewl!!

- Rick "I only make fun of tpyos that are truly funny" Tyler

--
"Ignorant voracity -- a wingless vulture -- can soar only into the
depths of ignominy." Patrick O'Brian