How Long Should A Hull Last?
- Thread starter Fishtales
- Start date
I'll swing at that one . . .
First I'd argue your question is two parts: how long a hull lasts, and how long between major overhauls.
Assuming a hull avoids the normal end of useful live events (dirt, rocks, sand, buoys, other boats, pilings, and other structures either afloat or fixed), and that hull is operated by a reasonably prudent, reasonably sober, reasonably skilled operator, and that hull is not raced aggressively, the HULL (hull, deck, glass structures) is likely good for 30 years or better, plus or minus a decade. J24s (there are over 5000 of them), while not subject to 40 knots of speed or powerful outboards, is also a gelcoat, polyester, end-grain balsa laminate construction. You have to do something REALLY stupid to "end" a J24. Grady White, under prudent use and maintenance, I don't see how it wouldn't last just as long.
The second part of your question is more important, I think. A powerboat has a lot going on, and a lot of powerboat owners are just like sailboat owners; reluctant to take apart perfectly functioning assemblies for the purposes of longevity and maintenance. "Major overhaul," as far as I can see in what I've read on this site alone, falls into 4 categories. 1) full re-wire (water intrusion/corrosion), 2) full re-power (not really "the hull's" problem) 3) wet deck/core (water intrusion/corrosion), 4) fuel tanks (water intrusion/corrosion). Notice anything? To the extent that each spring you tackle a progressive list of "fixes" and investigative, maintenance tasks, is the degree to which you can avoid "major overhaul."
Someone who actually works in the marine industry could probably put an experience says timeline on "if you did no maintenance, or the bare minimum to be launched each spring," how long before a boat looked like a total eyesore, and how long before it's a total loss.
First I'd argue your question is two parts: how long a hull lasts, and how long between major overhauls.
Assuming a hull avoids the normal end of useful live events (dirt, rocks, sand, buoys, other boats, pilings, and other structures either afloat or fixed), and that hull is operated by a reasonably prudent, reasonably sober, reasonably skilled operator, and that hull is not raced aggressively, the HULL (hull, deck, glass structures) is likely good for 30 years or better, plus or minus a decade. J24s (there are over 5000 of them), while not subject to 40 knots of speed or powerful outboards, is also a gelcoat, polyester, end-grain balsa laminate construction. You have to do something REALLY stupid to "end" a J24. Grady White, under prudent use and maintenance, I don't see how it wouldn't last just as long.
The second part of your question is more important, I think. A powerboat has a lot going on, and a lot of powerboat owners are just like sailboat owners; reluctant to take apart perfectly functioning assemblies for the purposes of longevity and maintenance. "Major overhaul," as far as I can see in what I've read on this site alone, falls into 4 categories. 1) full re-wire (water intrusion/corrosion), 2) full re-power (not really "the hull's" problem) 3) wet deck/core (water intrusion/corrosion), 4) fuel tanks (water intrusion/corrosion). Notice anything? To the extent that each spring you tackle a progressive list of "fixes" and investigative, maintenance tasks, is the degree to which you can avoid "major overhaul."
Someone who actually works in the marine industry could probably put an experience says timeline on "if you did no maintenance, or the bare minimum to be launched each spring," how long before a boat looked like a total eyesore, and how long before it's a total loss.
I just do not see many production hulls last over 15 yrs where a nonproduction hull seems to last as long as you want to maintain it. My hull is 25 yrs old with no cracks and a good shine the gell does have a couple bubbles. As far as new vrs old, any boat over 8 yrs old used in salt will need attention. Part of the joy of owning a boat is working on it. Just should not be all the time. I will say I watch some folks in dismay as there boat has sat for years unattended if it starts off they go 50 miles out with no regard for the rest of the boat.
Doc Stressor
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There are too many variables to give a straight answer for your question. So much depends on how the boat is constructed and how it gets used.
The longest I've kept a Grady White was 11 years. That was my 1975 Overnighter. But it needed a transom replaced over that time and the stringers were starting to rot when I sold it. That boat spent 3 years up north in wet slips from April through October and the rest of its life at an indoor dry stack in Florida. Went through 3 engines/powerheads, 3 sets of steering cables, and one lower unit replacement. The wiring was crappy but simple, so I would replace all of the wiring except the engine harness every 3 years. The bottom had some blisters, but it never leaked or delaminated.
My 1986 Seafarer had better wiring but the electrical connections were just starting to get sketchy when I sold it after 4 years.
The newer Gradys have better encapsulation of the wooden parts and the latest models seem to have eliminated wood completely. So these hull may be expected to hold up longer. The longer you keep a boat the more maintenance or repairs it will need each year. But given the cost of new boats, even a full restoration might make sense nowadays.
I've worked on lots of other boats that have seen various levels of use and abuse. A general rule of thumb is that after 10 years you need to start paying attention to a fiberglass hull, the through hull fittings, and the fuel tank. By that I mean a careful inspection each year. Look for leaks, rot, delamination spots, and wet core material. But most boats seem to make it to at least 20 years before one or more of those factors take them out of service unless they are restored.
I love aluminum hulls. I've had 3 over the years and as far as I know they are all still in service. I had one from 1973 through 2004 and all it ever needed was a little welding after hitting something on the water and getting rear ended while on the trailer. I had a Canadian made Silver Streak when I lived out west which is still in service after 18 years. I really abused that boat. Trailered it an average of 7000 miles per year, ran it up on the rocks all the time and hit a bunch of stuff. My buddy owns it now and it still looks good. Maintenance is also minimal. All it needed was a fuel tank repair over that time.
The longest I've kept a Grady White was 11 years. That was my 1975 Overnighter. But it needed a transom replaced over that time and the stringers were starting to rot when I sold it. That boat spent 3 years up north in wet slips from April through October and the rest of its life at an indoor dry stack in Florida. Went through 3 engines/powerheads, 3 sets of steering cables, and one lower unit replacement. The wiring was crappy but simple, so I would replace all of the wiring except the engine harness every 3 years. The bottom had some blisters, but it never leaked or delaminated.
My 1986 Seafarer had better wiring but the electrical connections were just starting to get sketchy when I sold it after 4 years.
The newer Gradys have better encapsulation of the wooden parts and the latest models seem to have eliminated wood completely. So these hull may be expected to hold up longer. The longer you keep a boat the more maintenance or repairs it will need each year. But given the cost of new boats, even a full restoration might make sense nowadays.
I've worked on lots of other boats that have seen various levels of use and abuse. A general rule of thumb is that after 10 years you need to start paying attention to a fiberglass hull, the through hull fittings, and the fuel tank. By that I mean a careful inspection each year. Look for leaks, rot, delamination spots, and wet core material. But most boats seem to make it to at least 20 years before one or more of those factors take them out of service unless they are restored.
I love aluminum hulls. I've had 3 over the years and as far as I know they are all still in service. I had one from 1973 through 2004 and all it ever needed was a little welding after hitting something on the water and getting rear ended while on the trailer. I had a Canadian made Silver Streak when I lived out west which is still in service after 18 years. I really abused that boat. Trailered it an average of 7000 miles per year, ran it up on the rocks all the time and hit a bunch of stuff. My buddy owns it now and it still looks good. Maintenance is also minimal. All it needed was a fuel tank repair over that time.
I'd file bug infestation right up there in the "user error/neglect" category. If you have termites eating the internal structures of your boat, you either don't stick your head in the dark corners of the boat to inspect enough, or you aren't paying your yard enough (if you're adverse to actually doing your own maintenance).
I would expect that insect infestation is relatively rare on boats in general, and practically unheard of on boats that are well cared for and used regularly.
I would expect that insect infestation is relatively rare on boats in general, and practically unheard of on boats that are well cared for and used regularly.
I regularly fish on a 22' 1981 Grady. The current owner has had it since 85. There is no rot, no cracking etc. And it has the original tank. This boat get used and abused and has killed several Blufin over 700lbs.
Proper salt removal and WINTER storage is critical. Also, you must protect your core, transom, stringers deck etc. Seal all holes.
Proper salt removal and WINTER storage is critical. Also, you must protect your core, transom, stringers deck etc. Seal all holes.
