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

He might be asking about the use of wood in fiberglass boats, rather than
wood boats. Commonly the use of plywood for floors, transoms, and interior
pieces. As to the why, it's because plywood is cheap.

"Larry" wrote in message
...
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

He might be asking about the use of wood in fiberglass boats, rather than
wood boats. Commonly the use of plywood for floors, transoms, and interior
pieces. As to the why, it's because plywood is cheap.



Cheaper. Lighter. More easily fabricated.
Can be the best choice in certain applications regardless of cost savings., but
in most cases it is a matter of building a boat that the public can afford to
buy.

Like our cars, homes, and other possessions- every manufacturer knows of ways
to make any product "better", but if the difference ultimately results in a
near-perfect product that 1 or 2 percent of the population could ever
contemplate affording or an extremely serviceable product available to a far
greater number of folks, there are a number of factors to consider.

The good news is, buyers who want a boat built without a sliver of wood in the
hull can find them. In some cases, they will be more expensive. In others,
(such as welded aluminum), they will not be more expensive but may have other
issues to deal with beyond potential wood rot.

Lawrence James wrote:
He might be asking about the use of wood in fiberglass boats, rather than
wood boats. Commonly the use of plywood for floors, transoms, and interior
pieces. As to the why, it's because plywood is cheap.


And wood in general is strong. Properly installed wood substructure
(encapsolated stringers etc) will last a good long time. The problem of
course is if water does get under the encapsolation.

My stringers are pressure treated fur that is encapsolated. Time will
tell how it will last in the long run. Much will depend on how I care
for the boat. But I do not fear it will fail any time soon. One might
guess that a poorly made fibreglass stringer system may develope cracks
over time. I am sure one properly built will last a lifetime. As will a
well built substructure made of wood.

Capt Jack R..

Encapsulated in poly resin, not epoxy, right? I suggest you do some
research on the water permeability of various resins and you'll discover
that your stringers will eventually get wet.

"Jack Redington" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Lawrence James wrote:
He might be asking about the use of wood in fiberglass boats, rather
than
wood boats. Commonly the use of plywood for floors, transoms, and
interior
pieces. As to the why, it's because plywood is cheap.


And wood in general is strong. Properly installed wood substructure
(encapsolated stringers etc) will last a good long time. The problem of
course is if water does get under the encapsolation.

My stringers are pressure treated fur that is encapsolated. Time will
tell how it will last in the long run. Much will depend on how I care
for the boat. But I do not fear it will fail any time soon. One might
guess that a poorly made fibreglass stringer system may develope cracks
over time. I am sure one properly built will last a lifetime. As will a
well built substructure made of wood.

Capt Jack R..

"Larry" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:41:36 -0500, stealth wrote:


I should have been more specific given some of the juvenile responses. I was
speaking of the wood that is used in the structural coring, not the
aesthetic cabinetry/flooring. Wrapping fiberglass around wood that could be
subject to seepage/leakage/rot may have been the best way twenty-five years
ago, but with the low-cost composite type materials available on the market
today, using wood in lieu of these composites doesn't make sense from a
layman point of view. And given the amount of surveys that show wood rot in
coring areas, it would seem that not using wood would be a huge marketing
tool for the boat builder. As for the cost advantage, perhaps some of you
haven't seen the price of plywood lately! That said, if you wise guys didn't
know the answer, all you had to do was just say so?



s

I should have been more specific given some of the juvenile responses

You got that right! I've had the same thought considering the amount of
wood (structural, not decorative) I've found in my 3 year old "fiberglass"
boat.
Seems there's always a flamer hiding in the weeds.

Reading the posts feels so hopeless. So few do know what you're talking
about.
My boat sank 2 years ago. After removing the floor last year I discovered
that wood is almost gone. Now I wish that someone on the production line has
asked himself the question you are asking. In the era of composites I can't
believe we are talking about wood.
Strong? How long? Until the first crack. Durable? Yeah right. I've had
several boats and I know for a fact that wood is not a good material for
fiberglass boat. It has good properties when new, out of production line.
That's all. Feels solid. Yes, unless you encounter waves sweeping your deck.
Then the quiet process of rotting starts. And without your permission.
Exposed wood has a better chance to survive then the encapsulated one.
Moisture has nowhere to go but deeper inside... You have to be a complete
ignorant and moron not to know that.
Let's face it. Wood sucks big time. I would trade it anytime for composite
stringers or aluminum for that matter. Forget about leakproof laminating,
ask any boat repair shop what do they see if they have to fix a damage. They
are leakproof until first contact with water.
It is ridiculous that we can manufacture composite deck boards carrying
"guranteed forever" mark yet boats are still made with wood.
The only rationale is that manuf. know that well and they have no interest
in selling you the boat that will last you forever. That why there is no
"forever" car as well. The only positive element in this picture is that
stringers actually do not need wood after full cure. They take the load and
wood inside is a good addition but not 100% necessary. That's why many
rotten boats are OK to ride until you try to fix them up. Boat rigidity
stays the same because of the fiberglass around wodden stringers. That's
all. Ask experts. And if you don't know any better, do not post unnecessary
flame.


"stealth" wrote in message
news

"Larry" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:41:36 -0500, stealth wrote:


I should have been more specific given some of the juvenile responses. I
was
speaking of the wood that is used in the structural coring, not the
aesthetic cabinetry/flooring. Wrapping fiberglass around wood that could
be
subject to seepage/leakage/rot may have been the best way twenty-five
years
ago, but with the low-cost composite type materials available on the
market
today, using wood in lieu of these composites doesn't make sense from a
layman point of view. And given the amount of surveys that show wood rot
in
coring areas, it would seem that not using wood would be a huge marketing
tool for the boat builder. As for the cost advantage, perhaps some of you
haven't seen the price of plywood lately! That said, if you wise guys
didn't
know the answer, all you had to do was just say so?



s