Are all old wood boats rotten?

[Ismaris]

I've looked at 5 old Lyman boats (50's models, 15' & 16.5'), and so far every one of them look great above the water line, and show various stages of rot below. All were advertised as "turn key", or words to that effect. Am I doomed to spinning my wheels needlessly unless I buy a boat fresh from Doc Lyman's shop? This is frustrating! Do you guys with wooden boats have any advice? Where is the line between safe and not so safe? Punky rib ends ok? Transom, stem, keel rot not ok?

Smack me down if I'm just being naiive.

 

[Randy J]

Re: Are all old wood boats rotten?

i dont know about all wood boats are rotten, but i know a few owners that are rotten

 

[Zyen]

Re: Are all old wood boats rotten?

i dont know about all wood boats are rotten, but i know a few owners that are rotten

hahahaha.

I've looked at 5 old Lyman boats (50's models, 15' & 16.5'), and so far every one of them look great above the water line, and show various stages of rot below. All were advertised as "turn key", or words to that effect. Am I doomed to spinning my wheels needlessly unless I buy a boat fresh from Doc Lyman's shop? This is frustrating! Do you guys with wooden boats have any advice? Where is the line between safe and not so safe? Punky rib ends ok? Transom, stem, keel rot not ok?

Smack me down if I'm just being naiive.

IMO ANY rot is bad.

 

[60Clipper]

Re: Are all old wood boats rotten?

As ke5jro said, any rot is bad, no matter where it is. Rot is like cancer and unless it's stopped, it will spread. If your looking for a true turn key wood boat, plan on spending some good coin. Good wooden boats don't come cheap. The ones that are cheap, relatively speaking, generally need extensive restoration done to them. Many times during the restoration process, you find areas that are bad that weren't discovered during the initial inspection. It really comes down to what your budget is and how much, if any, restoration you want to do. Just my 2 cents worth.

Bob

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Are all old wood boats rotten?

From my experience, most fiberglass boats are rotten too!