What am I missing???
 

I can appreciate the hull design and Seacraft's seaworhty ability. I can appreciate restoring a classic boat.
I just feel that the boats built,let's say 1960's and 1970's
with all that wood core everywhere were not designed to last. Sooner or later the core is going to rot. So why buy and old classic 23' and tear it down and replace wood with another wood core? The same problem will eventually occur. No - Yes ?? Why not replace the wood with synthetic materials? The exterior is glass. What am I missing?

Re: What am I missing???
 

Quonie,

What do you mean by core? Do you mean the deck? If so, there are people on this site I believe who have used special materials, in place of, tradtional plywood. Also,
if you mean the stringers, they are not made out of wood.

Re: What am I missing???
 

As a matter of fact, here is an old CSCS link about a deck replacement

web page

Re: What am I missing???
 

Thanks Peter. What I mean are the decks and mostly the transom. Most boats built in this era have wood in the transom which failed badly. Are you sure the stringers aren't wood. I thought I saw a project on this site and the boat had wood stringers. I just feel that laying out $20,000 to rehab a 60's or 70's and some 80's is alot $.
I'd would want a finished product that would last me to the end of my days.

1969 19' seacraft
 

Looking for info on a 19 foot 1969 seacraft CC.My nephew is looking at a 19 foot 1969 seacraft that is in the boat trader.I do not see were there were any 19 foot boats built.Would this be a 18 foot boat?Any one have one or any info on this year and size? Thanks Keith

1973 23 CC hull vents
 

any one no were I can find replacement hull vents for my 1973 CC? Thanks Keith

Re: What am I missing???
 

Nothing wrong with wood if properly sealed. The problem is people installing what ever and not properly sealing the fasteners. My dad has a 1969 Formula with the original wood core transom and is solid as a rock. Even a lot of times the boat manufacture doesn't properly seal things. :eek:

Re: What am I missing???
 

That's exactly my point, wood is not fool proof and has a high probability of failure. There are many variables, properly sealed,proper installations and wear and tear from operating. Isn't there superior materials to substitute marine grade plywood? I could see using wood for wood in a restoration where the wood is visible and provides esthetic value but not when it is incapsulated with glass and gelcoat. Help.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Nothing is foolproof and wood is often far less expensive and easier to obtain than many composites.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Quonie,

A couple of quick points.

First, I believe that many people here may agree with you that there are some new materials that may be better than traditional plywood (I would be interested in a response from some of the professional boat builders who are CSC members).

Second, do you own an old SeaCraft and/or have you ever ridden in one? FYI, I have a 1978 23 footer that probably does need a deck replacement. I have a good friend who has a new 23 foot (all fiberglass/composite) center console. My old war horse does circles around this new boat in the water. Put the 2 boats in any kind of water conditions and I will blow him away (both in comfort and speed). Also, I love the lines in the old SeaCrafts.

I am only mentioning this because IMHO once you have had an old style SeaCraft, you don't mind dumping money into the money.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Ha Quonie;

I’m with you on this one myself. Although when I did my 23 CC backing in 2001-2002 I did not have much confidence with composite materials since they really had been only out for a few years “at that time” and I did not have the confidence that they would really hold up plus I didn’t want to be the bata testers on composite materials either. After all it takes 10 to 15 years to really know if they will work or not for a transom. Well they work and they work great. If I had to do it all over again the answer would be Yes to composite’s. Although, I also agree that if wood is done correctly it will be very good as well. There is another point “for me” now that I never considered before. How long are you going to keep your boat??? Most boat owners will not own their boat longer than a wooden transom job will last. For me, I am now 59 years old I hope I will be using my boat till I am 70 But how many guys 70 do you see in a CC boat?? SOOOOOOOO looks like it will become someone else’s problem some day.


FellowShip
__________________________________________________ ________
Just for the Grins :D

Re: What am I missing???
 

PeterB,
I'm in total agreement with you. I'm not bashing the classics at all. I am currently looking at several classics. I would like to know who has replaced the wood with a synthetic material and what are the results.What works better? No performance changes.
I don't want to redo it 20 years from now.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Thanks Fellow-Ship- What composites are you talking about?
If I land a rehab and go thru it I want it to last forever.I'd like to keep the boat in the family. Help

Re: What am I missing???
 

Quonie - you wouldn't be from Quonny, would ya?

THese days if you redid a boat you could replace the wood with composites if you choose - your call really...

Re: What am I missing???
 

Pressure treated 3/4 plywood works great.
It will out last any of us. Just a suggestion!
See ya, Ken

Re: What am I missing???
 

I find it very odd that when people are talking about boats costing less than $250K, wood is evil and to be avoided at all costs. However, when considering a multimillion dollar custom sportfisher, wood seems to miraculously lose all its evil properties.

Down the canal from me there is a house with two boats behind it: a current 25' SeaCraft and a 63' Paul Mann. The new SeaCraft is devoid of any wood whereas the Paul Mann is full of both plywood as well as planks over a wood frame. I have fairly strong suspicions about which boat will be in use longer.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Don't I wish JohnR.Quonochontaug is one of my favorite places on this earth. My Great Uncle owned the Worcester House, lost in '38. Hold the port track going in. I'm lost this season I just sold my '65 Nauset.Was in Bristol last night. Great show.
Ikan I loved the mahogany on my BW, that center console and pilot seat was some great yankee enginuity. Don't get me wrong, that boat had original wood that was visual and totally consructed components. Console, pilot seat and forward hatch I would never replace with composites. Blasphemy. But anything encapsulated in the hull I would want to replace with a composite material.
Happy 4th of July
NoBones I've thought of using PT have you used it?

Re: What am I missing???
 

I think there is a problem with resins sticking to PT lumber.

BTW: Seacraft stringers are glass foam filled. No WOOD.

Re: What am I missing???
 

Negative on the adhesion, Polyester resin loves to bond
to P/T plywood. NoBones has had a pressure treated transom
for about 12 years with no problems. The key is let it dry
for about 2-3 weeks after purchase. I used Fasco epoxy
between two layers of 3/4 P/T. Time will tell. The other
key to a sucessfull wood job is to 5200 every screw that
goes into the wood, No water- No rot.
See ya, Ken

PS: My 14 ft Lucraft has had a plywood deck and transom
as well for about 8 years.

Re: 1973 23 CC hull vents
 

any one have any vents or no were I can get some to replace broken ones on my 1973 23 CC. inside frame 3.25"X 11.75". Thanks Keith

Re: What am I missing???
 

Here is a good read about how some composites hold up in lamination of boat hulls.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/HiTech.htm

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins :D

Re: What am I missing???
 

Dude has some good taste!