plywood covered with fibreglass boats

[sicoe]

I have just found out that the boat i'm buying is fibreglass, but has plywood in the middle. I've been told it's for strengthening because fibreglass on it's own is too weak, is this true, i always thought boats were 100% fibreglass. I've also been told I have the option to change some of the wood to a lighter material, so it'll go faster, it's a type of foamy plastic, is this a wise idea. <br />Can someone tell me if this is normal, or whether this will be a substandard boat.

 

[DJ]

Re: plywood covered with fibreglass boats

sim,<br /><br />Plywood has been used in f-glass boat construction for years. I assume you're talking about the stringers and floor.<br /><br />There are other materials available today that can be used to replace the plywood. As for a weight savings-maybe a little. The new materials are expensive, and some are not as easy to work with.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: plywood covered with fibreglass boats

There's nothing unusual about the constuction you're talking about. A well built boat will last as long as any with plywood in it. The key is "well built". All the water has to drain away so the ply can dry out periodically. The ply is encapsulated, but somehow water always seems to get to it. This has been the subject of many discussions on this forum-"spongy floor, rot, etc." It is also the reason many manufacturers advertise "100% wood free construction". All this being said, would I buy another boat with wood stringers and floor? I wwould have to say no.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: plywood covered with fibreglass boats

If you keep the boat covered and dried out, you should be fine. Marine plywood, however, is not all made the same. My boat has Greenwood XL panels in the floor and stringers. If your new boat will has these panels, you have little to worry about. Below are some quotes from their website (www.greenwoodproducts.com).<br /><br />Lifetime warranty against rot and decay <br />Lifetime warranty against wood eating insects <br />Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects <br />Lifetime warranty against delamination

 

[sicoe]

Re: plywood covered with fibreglass boats

The boat has plywood in the sides as well, all through it has plywood which is encassed in fibreglass. It's as if the wood has been put on top of the fibreglass, then another layer put on top. I've been told that not all of it can be replaced with a light weight material, because the wood gives it it's strength.