New Member, First Boat

threegills · #1 12-09-2002, 02:08 PM

Hey guys, glad to have found this site. My 2000 25 is my first boat and if would have known more about boats I probably would have gotten an older 23. I bought my used boat in 2000 after only 40 hrs of use by a family who never left the bay. I feel better with solid glass rather than Airlite cores (whatever that is). However, I did not want the project. The price was $25,000 below what the new ones were so I went for it.

I liked the Seacraft hull concept and went with the new ones. I heard about the Tracker days and stayed away from anything in the late 80's, early 90's.

However, I was told that since the late 90's Seacraft has been bulding solid boats. I have not had any troubles with mine, and I don't exactly baby it.

I realize this is a Classic site but, honestly have I made a horrible mistake?

What issues should be worried about. How do I look for them?

AlexT · #2 12-09-2002, 02:11 PM

Concensus here is that hull quality is good-- maybe not quite as much glass as the older boats, but a solid hull. If there is any difference it is likely the fit and finish and the quality of the componants like cleats, wiring, etc. From what I have seen of the new boats all this is pretty good. Certainly lightyears ahead of Mako (another Tracker/BPS brand)

threegills · #3 12-09-2002, 02:28 PM

I understand solid glass is the way to go, but now there are very few even "high quality" boat builders using solid glass in their cores. Only ones I know that are not using some kind of "high-tech composite" is regulator. Contender has balsa cores, yellowfin is composite-foam like the new seacrafts.

Still, wish there was a 27' old seacraft model. My 25' just seems like a 23 with a swim platform.

Brian Rice · #4 12-09-2002, 02:45 PM

There are 27' footers floating around. Good luck with your new boat.

Welcome to the site.

Finster · #5 12-09-2002, 02:47 PM

Here good luck [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] http://www.projectboats.net/descript...ified.htm?1121

John R · #6 12-09-2002, 03:26 PM

http://www.theboatzone.com/gallery/27rawbar

Trayder · #7 12-09-2002, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by threegills:
I understand solid glass is the way to go, but now there are very few even "high quality" boat builders using solid glass in their cores. Only ones I know that are not using some kind of "high-tech composite" is regulator. Contender has balsa cores, yellowfin is composite-foam like the new seacrafts.

Still, wish there was a 27' old seacraft model. My 25' just seems like a 23 with a swim platform.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Contender Balsa Cored????

The decks perhaps, but certainly not below the waterline. I do not think above either but I am not 100% I would check but my 25 Contender is under shrink. The deck cap and deck is cored but not all Balsa, some balsa here some marine ply over there ad foam core inbetween [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

threegills · #8 12-09-2002, 05:55 PM

Please forgive the ignorance, but I'n no boat builder. On the contender website there is a link for the "process"

Here it states in #1 (post gelcoat application of hand laid fiberglass,balsa coring, strake reinforcement) does not look like they are working on the deck or inner liner,

#2 states that the stringers are foam cored (not solid glass, which was my point)

#3 says the inner liner is made with a pvc core sandwich fiberglass construction.

So were is the balsa?? from looking at the "process" it seems that it's somewhere below the waterline.

Not to say that contenders are not great boats. I have a friend in Puerto Rico where 5-7 seas is a good day. Even though his cuddy cabin-deck joint is coming apart and the inner wall of his deck-transom joint is coming apart. He swears by the boat. I've been on it in 5-7 running around 20 knots and we could not keep the boat in the water. We would get airborne on every wave. Re-entry was nice and smooth though. Even though the boat made a bad squeeking noise I've never heard

Contenders are great boats. They should just be a little heavier, same for all boats made now. Which is why people love older, heavily glassed boats that weigh a ton. that is what you want out there.

threegills · #9 12-09-2002, 06:02 PM

sorry, the day we ran out it was more like solid 3' waves. Saw the typo after i posted

Trayder · #10 12-10-2002, 12:43 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Trayder:
[QB]Threegills-

Contender cores above the waterline, not below. Just confirmed with Contender. If you look at the process you mention on the site they are adding the coring to the hull sides ABOVE not below the waterline. (I am not sure you realize the boat in the picture is on its side)

Original SeaCrafts used Foam cored stringers, do you feel as though this is a bad thing?

I strongly disagree with your opinion that a heavy boat is a better boat, having looked at and test ridden Regulator 26's and Jupiter 27's and an older Intrepid 26 (the lightest of all 4) in my boat search I still fell I made the best choice with my 25, ride wise. It is unquestionable the fit and finish on a Regulator, Intrepid and a Jupiter is superior to that of a Contender. As for your friend's Contender coming apart I do not know how he drives or what he has run into but unlike most boats Contender glasses the Deck cap to the hull and inner liner:

Dave Pascoe, The surveyor, ( Dave Pascoe's Contender 25 review ) did a review on a Contender 25 years back. He even states the hull bottom is solid glass, the resin used is Vinylester. In reading his unbiased review or taking a look at mine or the 12+ Contenders I know of up here and have run on I feel it would take a wave yeilding a chainsaw to break the deck cap joint on a Contender. Your friend must have met that wave or have one really messed up boat