floatingphil

Looking for some input on the strength and durability of old fiberglass. Can a late 60's hull be restored and driven hard providing the stringers, transom and bulkheads are replaced or would the glass itself have exceeded it's useful life and be prone to fail?
Thanks

dba900

No idea, but I'm bumping this up because I've wondered it myself. There seem to be lots of guys putting big power in old boats. After what happened to High Life, you have to wonder.

jeff32

what boat is my life and what happened?

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

Resin and laminate technology has come light years since then. Even if it was at 100% of it's original strength it was probably done to very dated standards. The useful life largely depends on how it has spent it's life, UV rays can be very damaging to an old hull left out side, to the point where the resin is completely deteriorated from the laminate. On the other hand a hull given a charmed life can be good as new for years. I am all for restoring the classics, just use your head and be realistic as you inspect and get into the project.

without seeing it I don't know if there is a clean answer. I don't believe there are any guidelines concerning age of a laminate, at least none I have heard. Bottom line there are to many variables involved, sorry I couldn't be more helpful here.

floatingphil

Dave,
Thanks for your input. It's a bit like highschool, where some girls do and some girls don't.

floatingphil

Jeff - Sorry no story to tell. Just trying to gain more knowledge before there could be a story to tell. Like they say "look before you leap."

f_inscreenname

Every one of my boats are 40 years or older.
http://www.resurrectionmarine.com/