What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

[Fordiesel69]

In my search for boats I have found a similarity. Every open bow boat I have looked at either have a new floor or the floor is soft and needs rebuilt. I asuume this is from the water washing over and flooding the floor. However on a cuddy or non open bow this is probably less likely.

Now pops the question. Lets say I decided to buy an older 90's bayliner that has less than 200 hours total use and was cared for an stored inside. As of now the stringers and floor are great. If I were to drain the boat and always keep it covered and take care not to get the floor wet, would they last a lifetime?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Thats just like asking "if you bought a used car, would it last a life time".
There is no answer to that, as there are way to many variables that could have happened before you bought it that you will never know about.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Dude, water doesn't come washing over the sides of a boat very often. And if it does, you are doing something wrong. Rotten floors come about cause boat sit outside uncovered and the rain water get the carpet soaked and just lays there. And then, every screw hole into the floor (seat bases, engine covers etc), that was not sealed from the factory just wicks the water. Viola, wet wood floor, wet stringers. Also, leaving water int he bilge causes it too.

Yes, if you keep a boat covered with a truly water proof cover floors don't rot. And it's okay for the floor to get wet, as long as it's dried out. A breatheable cover would be best for that, by the way.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

What is a lifetime?

I would guess that any recreational boat is really only designed to last 20 years or less. There are thousands of boats out there that have lasted much much longer than that.

Those that are given average treament need major work by the time they are 10-15 years old.

Those given very good treament last 30-40 or more years.

That all being said it really is amazing how well boats stand up to the elements. Many 15-20 year old cars look a lot worse than boats of the same age.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

would they last a lifetime?

Hmmmm,.... How old are you Now,..??

 

[Knightgang]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Last a lifetime (Who's life are we talking about???). Answer is no, nothing lasts a lifetime. However, it has already been greatly cared for, and that same treatment is continued, can you prolong the useful age of the boat by X years, YES... How long the X is will vary, but if this is your first boat, then it is likely that you can prolong it in great shape until you decide to upgrade... A well cared for boat in great condition can bring a very decent price...

 

[JB]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Most rot, even in well cared for boats, is the result of poor design, construction and materials. Well, those things and time. Neglect speeds it up.

American lust for big, fast, cheap boats generates a lot of the junk currently on the market and creates the hobby of restoring boats full of rot.

Fir plywood, even treated, and carpet make a rot friendly environment. Boats not designed to drain completely, and that depend on fiberglass to keep rot-vulnerable wood dry simply will not last in regular use.

Now all that is academic because the rare boats designed and built to last 60 to 100 years are too costly for the typical American consumer, probably too small and not fast enough or sexy looking enough.

That's my rant about rot.

 

[lucky7]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

which boats are designed to last 100 years?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Dude, water doesn't come washing over the sides of a boat very often. And if it does, you are doing something wrong. Rotten floors come about cause boat sit outside uncovered and the rain water get the carpet soaked and just lays there. And then, every screw hole into the floor (seat bases, engine covers etc), that was not sealed from the factory just wicks the water. Viola, wet wood floor, wet stringers. Also, leaving water int he bilge causes it too.

Yes, if you keep a boat covered with a truly water proof cover floors don't rot. And it's okay for the floor to get wet, as long as it's dried out. A breatheable cover would be best for that, by the way.

I agree totally on that!! Just what i have have seen some people here doing here, they leave there boat outdoors uncovered in the winter and the rain and moisture freezes at night and we all know what happens to water when it freezes and not only that 4-5 months uncovered in the winter?? and snow and ice builds up on the floor, apholstery, seats, etc..... This is a sure fire way to ruin a boat quick, I agree with the GOOD COVER too. If anything else is used, tarp, plastic tarp etc a support under the cover for water run off should be used too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

which boats are designed to last 100 years?

Lots of 50-60 year old work boat still in daily use on the Chesapeake. Still have a few Skipjacks still working that where built in the early 20th century.

No carpets, no reclining seats, and the cup holder, if they have one, is most likely a short piece of pipe bolted to the hull.

This one is 56 years old. Lived in a slip it's entire life. Doesn't know what dry storage is. Bet the owner doesn't have to dry out the bilge with rags to keep it rotting away either.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1953/Chesapeake-Bay-Deadrise--2051690/Burgess/VA/United-States

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

My boat is solid wood (mahogany and Okume plywood). There is some fiberglass on the hull and insde deck boards. It will be 10 years old in a few more months. There is no rot or damage anywhere on the vessel and I plan on keeping it that way. However, when its not in the water I keep the bilges dry and store it inside of the garage.

Care + Maintenance = Life

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Care + maint = life is what I will do then.

I will dry the bilge up with a few old towels becuase we all know the pumps don;t!

 

[JB]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

which boats are designed to last 100 years?

There are a lot of 40-50 year old Boston Whalers in regular use. Ask me again in 50 more years.

 

[steddy]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Everything Lasts For A Lifetime. As Soon As It Is Broken Or Rotted Away, Guess What?????? Its Lifetime Is Over!!!!!!!!!!

Ha!

 

[werthert]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Yes, if you want a modern boat with any amenities and/or convenience, it will rot because it's crap and Americans are fat.

If, on the other hand, you want a boat that will last forever, get one from 1946 because "they just don't make them like they used too anymore".

(end sarcasm)

You can buy a recreational boat from the last two decades (even a Bayliner) that will last 20+ years so long as you and the PO take care of it.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

Dude, water doesn't come washing over the sides of a boat very often. And if it does, you are doing something wrong. Rotten floors come about cause boat sit outside uncovered and the rain water get the carpet soaked and just lays there. And then, every screw hole into the floor (seat bases, engine covers etc), that was not sealed from the factory just wicks the water. Viola, wet wood floor, wet stringers. Also, leaving water int he bilge causes it too.

Yes, if you keep a boat covered with a truly water proof cover floors don't rot. And it's okay for the floor to get wet, as long as it's dried out. A breatheable cover would be best for that, by the way.

Ditto that.
My 35 year old Arrow Glass Trihull had some soft spots on the floor about 1.5 in in dia from steel screws that rusted and allow the deck to get wet. Several rusted thru an allowed water under the deck and caused spot rotting on the stringers were there were nails.
Luckily a good grade of ply was used, the deck top was glass matted and the bottom face was resin coated.

Attached are pictures of aft deck section removed to repair stringer, plugs removed where screws rotted, and localized stringer rot at nails. The last pic shows as a link to the stringer repair.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: What rots stringers and floors on a well cared for boat?

There are a lot of 40-50 year old Boston Whalers in regular use. Ask me again in 50 more years.

Ditto that. Mine sits in the driveway, bow up pretty high, uncovered most of the time. I have to refinish the mahogany every few years, and clean the interior and inspect the few fasteners to make sure they're still solidly bedded, but the Whaler hull is still solid after 48 years.