Composite vs Fiberglass

Curmudgeon · 18-08-2008, 19:51

I'm looking at a monohull boat with a composite hull, not fiberglass. The boat is 28 ft long, and is built of marine grade plywood coated with epoxy using the "tack and tape" method. The builder (professional boatyard, not a home builder) claims that this hull is lighter and stronger than solid fiberglass. Any comments on composite wood/epoxy hulls? Are there delamination or other issues with composite hulls?

**Pblais** · 18-08-2008, 20:33

I've owned solid fiberglass and the issue of strength I don't see as the issue. I really think hulls are not the issue at all.

sabray · 18-08-2008, 21:06

Long ago I owned a plywood hull. It was quite amazing how some of it faired and other areas did not. It was pre epoxy. Quality of constuction is critical especially around suspect areas like chain plates. If in the future you wanted to sell this boat would it hold its value? Resale may be more difficult. Mahogany plywood has a very good weight to strenght ratio. I doubt that with todays technology it exceeds some modern composites. But it can be a very strong structural material.

18-08-2008, 19:51	#1
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 175	Composite vs Fiberglass I'm looking at a monohull boat with a composite hull, not fiberglass. The boat is 28 ft long, and is built of marine grade plywood coated with epoxy using the "tack and tape" method. The builder (professional boatyard, not a home builder) claims that this hull is lighter and stronger than solid fiberglass. Any comments on composite wood/epoxy hulls? Are there delamination or other issues with composite hulls?

18-08-2008, 20:33	#2
Pblais Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 4,520 Images: 7	I've owned solid fiberglass and the issue of strength I don't see as the issue. I really think hulls are not the issue at all. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W

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18-08-2008, 21:06	#3
sabray Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: annapolis Boat: corsair f-27, PETERSON 44 Posts: 37	Long ago I owned a plywood hull. It was quite amazing how some of it faired and other areas did not. It was pre epoxy. Quality of constuction is critical especially around suspect areas like chain plates. If in the future you wanted to sell this boat would it hold its value? Resale may be more difficult. Mahogany plywood has a very good weight to strenght ratio. I doubt that with todays technology it exceeds some modern composites. But it can be a very strong structural material.