In Praise of Fiberglass...

[sneuman]

In discussions about fiberglass boats, it often comes to a point in the conversation where one or the other of my friends say something to the effect that "fiberglass, well, it lasts forever, so ..."

How radically has it changed our hobby?:

- More affordable boats. Opened sailing to a much wider economic strata.

- Kept insurance reasonable? (Less at risk with fiberglass

- More total boats. Not only could the boats be mass produced in a way that no other material would allow, but since fiberglass doesn't rot, many well-designed 30-year-old boats are still sailing.

- More design options. Fiberglass is more pliable and the options for builders and designers are much greater.

thoughts?

[S&S]

Nothing lasts "forever" but my glass over ply deck lasted 40 years (polyester resin). I'm expecting more out of the new one (epoxy).

I'm with you on 1,3 and 4. not so sure about 2.

See? I'm the living embodyment of ecumenism.

[Tropic Cat]

At 25 years old, my boat is a solid as a rock. I'll let you know how it works out after the next 25 years.

ecumenism??? I dearly love my boat, but I don't pray to her....??

[barnakiel]

Plastic fantastic. If only they could be as strong as alloy ;-)

b.

[S&S]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

ecumenism??? I dearly love my boat, but I don't pray to her....??

It's a tease as our hull is wood. Being nice to the Clorox bottle sailors.

[Hampus]

Ours is 31 years old and still solid, despite the fact that she's "Made in Taiwan"! Still good both inside and out. I expect to see future problems with the teak deck, but not with anything made out of glass and plastic...

/Hampus

[aboutgone]

30 year old CSY.........2 1/4'' solid glass baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SkiprJohn]

I've owned wood, had friends with steel and ferro and would currently have fiberglass. I'd never change to anything but fiberglass. Its been around for more than 50 years now and is proven.
regards,

[amytom]

Originally Posted by S&S

See? I'm the living embodyment of ecumenism.

Now how many of us had to look it up? I did.

[S&S]

Originally Posted by amytom

Now how many of us had to look it up? I did.

And they say no one learns anything on the boards.

[Christian Van H]

38 years and still going strong. One thing I've noticed around my marina; smaller old FG powerboats are cut up all the time. They seem to fall out of style and that is that. Sailboats may also suffer from this, but to a lesser degree. Their 'Glass seems fine, but no one cares to be seen in an old powerboat. There are exceptions I'm sure, and I've seen some heinous 60s and 70s sloops chopped too, but none because their 'Glass failed...

[James S]

Originally Posted by amytom

Now how many of us had to look it up? I did.

Hand up....I did

[Marksman]

My boat is 44 yrs old and the laminate still looks new. Love glass and plastic!

[SkiprJohn]

Thanks for posting this. I thought I was the only one who still liked glass!!!!! My current hull was hand laid up in '68. That makes it pretty old. I've rebuilt the glass over ply cabin top and some deck but the hull is still very very solid.

For those who see these posts and have steel because it'll bounce off reefs then you must drive Volvo because it is safest in a crash.

regards,