Kaunolu
2008-06-22 17:27:27
I had my mind set on Fiberglass. My first thoughts on steel are rust,condensation, and cold but then I think about what a nice boat the Bavaria is and the Castaway was in Juneau for a couple of days on the dock where we pick up our guests(not charter) and it sure seems to be a well kept vessel. There are a few steel boats that have come to our attention. Does anyone have any input on fiberglass and steel? Anyone with a steel wish they would have bought glass or went with glass and want steel. Pros and cons we may not have thought of or know. Your knowledge and time is appreciated.
Thank you
John and Amber
Salty
2008-06-22 18:40:27
Steel creates a better, stronger, magnetic field. Everything else being equal the steel boat will produce more bites. I have a fiberglass boat and love it but it is sure hard to keep up with my metal boat partners.
tacorajim
2008-06-23 00:23:45
My favorite oldest timer claims steel hulls only last an average of 25 years. I know of several that verify his general outlook. Gordie's Castaway and the Carole D back him up. Both boats are rumored to have cost well over $100k for new bottoms. But the Carole D wallowed on the bottom (I saw a photo), an utmost Skallerud that probably could have gone 15 or more years. But there are some made of core-ten and 3/16ths still passing ultra sound tests from that era. However, one 44-footer here built in 1964 is on her 3rd bottom. You have to know both the material and the history. Did she moor in a 'hot' harbor, or have her own severe electrolysis issues? As far as how glass compares, you occasionally run across an honest seller who admits serious de-lamination, and I'm talking Skookums from the 70's.
By the time you figure it all out, you become an expert on the topic . . . who never fished.
Kaunolu
2008-06-23 11:05:54
tacorajim
Thank you again for the advice. I had no idea the hull on steel boats lasts only 25 years on average. That puts up a red flag for me that is about how long we are hoping to fish. The boats we are interested in are about that age already. Jill is making the schedule so I should get a day or two off to look at a few boats soon. The boats we run are running smooth now I put 26 days in a row before a day off and it would have been a waste of time to fly to check out another one. My brain needed a day off.
I am not looking to be an expert on boats or trolling, knowledge is good though and you guys have it and I appreciate you sharing it. I sure hope we are fishing next spring.
Thank you
John
tacorajim
2008-06-23 15:16:52
I may have given you the wrong impression, passing along what my friend says about steel hulls lasting 25 years on average. I don't agree with him. However, you could use it as some measure of a worst case scenario. Like there's a wood boat in the yard here that rotted 6-7 years after launching because the guy used kiln-dried lumber. It's a drastic example of worst case scenario. There are many WWII steel boats still on duty. There are some built in the 60's still sound as a dollar. Like I said, know the materials and background. Check out modern testing methods. Be prepared to have a surveyor test the hull's integrity. If I wasn't such a nut for old woodies, I'd choose steel over glass. Hope I didn't fog you out.