30+ year old fiberglass boats

[Katama]

I am just curious to know who here owns a 30+ year old fiberglass boat under 21 feet?<br /><br />Secondly, would you buy a used glass boat over 30 years old and if so, what model? I am trying to learn more about what small boats are still around and people would still buy.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[qaztwo]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have a 72 tri hull 18 foot, and a 76 20 foot. I believe the tri hull is a reinell everything in that boat has fadded away with time, and the 20 foot is a sea ray. Both are ok, just watch out for rotted floors, transom, stingers, and any other wood in the boat.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Hi Katama, I own two fibreglass boats, both over 30 years old and yes I still trust them both! I Have a 73 Calglass Cuddy with mercruiser I/O and a 1964 14 foot fiberglass runabout with a 1963 40 Hp evinrude. I like tinkering with old stuff, and I appreciate the comments I get on my boats.<br />However, having said that, it sounds like you have seen an old boat and are hankering to buy it and you are looking for "moral support???"<br />Please know, the floor will be rotten, the stringers will be rotten, the wiring will be cracked, the crome fittings aren't fit anymore and the transom will be questionable.<br />You will never buy more weight of fiberglass per $ than a 60's or 70's boat.<br />This truly has to be something you have the space, time, money and supporting spouse to work on.<br />Would I buy another...you betcha.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have a '72 16' Glastron CV-16, the fiberglass is still in PERFECT shape. The gel coat on the bottom could stand to be redone, but that's mostly just for looks. The only boat I would buy short of a brand new one is a nice 70s classic.

 

[nitedmn]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

My father has a '72 18' Marlin (I think it's a Marlin) which he bought brand new. The only problem with it is that some of the gelcoat is pealing. He did have the floor replaced a few years back after the gas tank rusted from the inside out. The gas leaked under the floor and disolved all the foam that was under the floor.<br /><br />I just bought a '78 Yar-Craft (19'). It has a few mechanical issues and shows signs of wear but the hull is still solid and there are no softspots in the floor. I stood on the lower unit and jumped up and down a few times (I weight about 200 lbs) and there is no flex at all in the transom.<br /><br />Now if I can just get some exhaust manifolds and a new water pump I'll be all set.

 

[Katama]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Thank you all for the replies. I actually bought a 1971 boat that I am restoring and I really wanted to know how many others out there have bought boats this old and what they think about buying classic boats.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

The fiberglass and gelcoat on older boats is a lot thicker than newer boats. Glass and resin were cheap in those days and they used LOTS of it. A lot of them were hand laid too. That's why there are still so many around and why many of them still look so darn good (the good makes anyway). The gelcoat on my 79 Formula still looks great despite being used in saltwater and periods of neglect over the years. The hull is still as sound as the day it was made. Remarkable really. However it does weigh over 6,000 lbs!<br /><br />In the restoration video, "Fiberglass repair with Bruce McDugal", he discusses this...

 

[Katama]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I bought this boat on E-bay, sight unseen. The owner advertised it as a Katama. It appears to be solid and sits high in the water. The hull seems solid and the gelcoat is original. <br /><br />I never owned a boat this old and wonder if I'm crazy for buying a boat this old. That's why I was wondering who else out there would buy a 30 year old boat.

 

[cart7]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I just sold a 1978 16 1/2' Champion bassboat. I bought it in 1991 and the previous owner had just done a regel on it. I did another about 6 - 7 years later. It was a well built boat and the guy who got it from me is making it a project boat. I wish I could've kept it and redone it myself but I just don't have the room.

 

[Holdimhook]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have an early sixties model Boston Whaler Sport 13 That has faded and cracked twice, but we've had it redone and she keeps on chuggin' along. Still a fine, solid old boat.

 

[Katama]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I am still trying to verify this, this "Katama" is supposed to be made by the Boston Whaler boat company. I would love to know if it is, how does it compare to other boats the same size of the same period.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have a 1962 MFG Niagara Custom. Check out all the links in my signature for more info.<br /><br />Yes, I would do it again. Infact, I keep an eye out for the MFG brand in a larger day cruiser model. Might make the perfect family boat. I see a lot of old MFG brand boats here in NJ. They were made in PA so that is to be expected. But the real amazing part is they were so well made that 40 year old boats are still in use today with out being restored! Check out how many MFG boats were sold on e-bay. There is more MFG specific info available at MFGBOATS.COM

 

[Katama]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Mark,<br />I could swear that is the same boat my grandfather owned! I need to check into this but the picture looks exactly as I remember.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[JasonB]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have two 1976 Glastrons. One is still perfectly solid after all these years, the other was neglected and needid rebuild, but the glass wasn't an issue, just the underlying wood. Check my sig for what I think about these old boats....

 

[Ron G]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

i have 16' 71 glassmate tri hull,with a 85 evinrude, new wood and carpet putin10 years ago boat in good shape,the boat was actually to big for trailer so about everother time out one of the tires would go flat,

 

[JB]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Katama. . . <br /><br />Yes, the Katama was a model of the Boston Whaler 16.<br /><br />You can see pix and get verification at continuouswave.com the Classic Whaler forum.<br /><br />Any reasonably well cared for Boston Whaler from the 60s and 70s is likely to be in very good condition and/or easy to restore.

 

[Katama]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

JB,<br />Thanks for the reply. How can I e-mail you? I am actually moving to the Commerce, Tx area and wanted to touch base with you on a couple of topics.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Good on yer, JB!<br /><br />I was waiting for a plug on old Whalers.<br /><br />Stringers? What are they?<br />Rotten floor? What's that?<br />Doesn't happen on an old Whaler.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

Katama. I have you covered in so many ways its not funny. Hit my website. More history then you can think of and for a restore with pictures check out "My Super Nova".<br />

 

[Qld_Kev]

Re: 30+ year old fiberglass boats

I have a 1968 Savage Vampire (15 foot runabout) with a 1977 55hp Evinrude. Excellent boat for inshore/river work. For its age its in really excellent condition, original gelcoat and floor etc, with no soft spots. After 6 years of playing with it its for sale ready for a sea going boat