How long will an offshore boat live?
 

Here's a question that's been bouncing around in my head lately: how long can you expect a quality offshore boat to last? Assuming that the boat is stored out of the water (trailer or lift), how long until it requires structural work?

How long will engine stringers last? Transom? What about fuel tanks? Wiring?

Just curious - we all know that engines and drives need periodic refreshing/rebuilding, but what about the rest of the boat?

I'm no expert, but I have seen plenty of mid to late 70's Cig's in excellent condition. I can't say the same for some others but I know that Cig's last a while when taken care of.

Sutphen
 

..this one's a '77, and she's still kickin' pretty well!! :cool:

A Quality Offshore boat should last at least in my opinion 10yrs under normal civilian condition. The material manufactures use today are even better then they were just 5 yrs ago. Also largely
depends on owner operation and upkeep. Now in Race condition ! I have seen them finish building on Thursday and Sundays night the boat is completely totaled

A lot of 80's Scarabs and Chris Crafts had stringer rot problems. If an old boat smells like mildew, there's probably wood rotting in there.

The condition of most boats depends on the care they receive. People are still rebuilding boats built in the 60's. Have a surveyor check wood with a moisture sensor: regardless of brand. My friend's glass shop has replaced floors and stringers on almost all brands and some were less than 5 years old!

I'd say around 10 years. More if the boat was built correctly and well cared for. Less if built really poorly and not cared for. The problem is the poorly built, well cared for boat. SUPRISE!

Here's one right here. 1976 28ss. Let me tell you this. When we pulled the drives, gimbals, etc, to convert from TRS to Bravos the inner transom looked brand new. The stringers were the same way. Not one sign of rot or decomposition anywhere. The boat is as solid as it's maiden voyage back in the shagadelic 70's. :D

Cigarette's LAST.

Any more pics of that cig? Looks great! I think it all boils down to this, owner maintenace and how you drive and take care of your boat.

Thanks alot, Click here for more pics. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...threadid=53217