Fibre glass durability?

[wildmail]

We are looking at a boat from 1977:
- Does fibre glass neccesarily become weaker as time passes?
- Is there a rule of thumb for the lifespan of a fibre glass hull?
Thank you very much in advance

 

[alec]

Don't think anybody knows really. It's still a comparatively new material.

Many boats are still going strong from the early seventies and late sixties. As boats get older they the hull is more likely to age cosmetically, hence the lower prices.

A really good survey will probably bring you some peace of mind. Most trouble with boats tend to be masts falling down, engines giving up , seacocks, and us poor old sailors giving up . Not heard of a case ( stand to be corrected ) of a hull cracking up due to old age.

 

[l'escargot]

What is it? My boat was built in 1969 and the fibreglass is probably stronger than many newer boats.

 

[Sixpence]

First off I presume youve heard of the dreaded osmosis which although it doesn't sound the death of a boat it does mean that treatment is needed which can work out expensive , but a boat built back in the 70s will have most likely been built a lot stronger than up to date boats because they weren't aware of the strength of GRP until they played with it for a few years . So effectively , no , there isn't a finite life expectancy for a hull of any material provided it's been looked after . A wooden hull can last centuries if it's cared for and the same goes for GRP , so it's mainly the fashion that changes or lack of care that ends the life of a hull

 

[rwoofer]

I think older boats were generally overengineered (maybe excepting some westerlies) because GRP was not understood so well.

It would be interesting to see if modern JenBenBavs last as well. In theory better material and engineering knowledge should counteract the lighter weight construction. We'll have to wait another 20 years to answer that one. Certainly 80s Jeanneau's, Beneteau's seem to have lasted well, but there is a clear difference between their construction in the 80s and what is done now.

 

[Aja]

There are still fibreglass boats around from the late fifties. Over-engineered because it was a new method of construction, but none the less still here.

Donald

 

[Poignard]

Mine was built in 1967. Very strong, never been epoxied and no sign of any blistering. But always get a survey before you buy.

 

[aknight]

Mine built like the proverbial outhouse in 1974 and immensely strong, with low moisture readings and no blisters. No special technical knowledge but never heard that grp weakens with age.

 

[Twister_Ken]

One of the problems with GRP is that it doesn't rot or fade away. Eventually, we're going to be knee-deep in used boats - there's a limit on how many can be converted to flower tubs in the local park.

 

[Sixpence]

From what I've seen the GRP ones just get left in the rivers when they reach that stage , they fill up with rainwater and sink then the EA have the job of removing them , they don't make good flower tubs for some reason but I don't know what the EA do with them

 

[Twister_Ken]

>I don't know what the EA do with them<

Easy - they put them on eBay, and Lake Sailor buys them.

 

[oldharry]

I sold my 1959 GRP boat a few years ago - good as the day it was built under the paint! Mind you, the moulding was laid up to the same thickness as if it was timber - and then reinforced with webs, ribs etc - enormously heavy. The builders obviously didnt trust this new fangled GRP stuff and thought it wouldnt catch on.....

1977 isn't 'old' as GRP boats go - just watch out for ancillary bits coming to the end of their life, like rigging and engine, and cosmetic appearance.

I am just completing a refit of a 1970 GRP boat, which apart from the engine and faded gelcoat appears to be as good as new. Rigging is of unknown age, so thats going too. All reflected in the price of course!

 

[aknight]

Environmental considerations aside, the more the merrier say I. I've spent my entire yachting 'career' buying and tarting up tired old grp boats. They offer a great way into (relatively) low cost boat ownership at all sizes and types for pepple like me who won't countenance paying new or nearly-new prices but still want a 'nice' little boat to play with.

I have to confess to having a soft spot for all those classic seventies and early eighties designs. Most of the new (mass market) models at LIBS/SIBS are fun to nose around but ultimately leave me cold. A Contessa 26, refitted, would be my ultimate dream one day.

Circling back to the environmental issue, as you say, grp boats seem to have a very long life, properly cared for. I've always felt that, as well as saving money, buying up and refitting old grp boats was as beneficial as recycling. After all, every boat restored and given a new lease of life is one less new one purchased for the time being.

 

[Twister_Ken]

>After all, every boat restored and given a new lease of life is one less new one purchased for the time being. <

Not sure I can agree with you there. I think they are two separate markets. The buyer who wants to punt £100,000 on a new 36 footer with bells and whistles is not the same person who would be happy to pay £7,500 for restored 26 footer built 40 years ago.

 

[wildmail]

Thank you very much for all your valuable information

 

[aknight]

Yes, I agree on macro level you are probably right. I was thinking more of my own individual choices. I periodically consider splashing out on a new or nearly-new AWB but then always come back to preferring the benefits of older boats. My thought was rather that for every person who could conceivably afford to buy (and maintain/moor) new, but chooses not to - and I sense quite a few people do fall into that category - that's one less new boat bought.

 

[lizziem]

Our 1972 vintage is built like the proverbial. There was no sign of the pox either when surveyed for our purchase 3 years ago. New can be nice and sometimes more speedy but it is at a price. Older, more solid feeling, with a seakindly hull, may not get you there fast but she will get you there - does it for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FAITIRA]

I will stick to older Ken, 1978, bought her in Denia Spain at the right price, she had the pox, got the treament done there and the Jotun guy who did the job couldn,t believe the weight of the layup. A 75 Rival I had a few years ago was similar, mabe not as heavy as the Nic. I am sure the boat will keep going longer than me, barring me doing something daft!

 

[jwilson]

1970s build could be anything. Many quality hulls from that era are immensely over-strong by currently accepted standards, but particularly towards the end of the 70s oil price rises hit the cost of resins, so there are some underbuilt ones done cheaply, though not usually from the big builders.

Also many boats from that era have chopper-gun laid hulls, or choppergun overlay over a first layer or two of conventional mat and/or woven rovings. Chopper gun GRP is fast to do, hence cheap, but the resin/glass ratio is poor for strength, and is thus inherently weaker than a normal layup. No particular problem if the hull is sufficiently overbuilt to start with, but there are some poor hulls around.