Collins Craft Fiberglass 14' boat - any good?

[djm3801]

I was looking for an aluminum boat for local Florida lakes. Ran across a 14' Collins Craft fiberglass boat. I am not familiar with aluminum repair but have done fiberglass. Was wondering if anyone has any experience with this brand. I already did a search and came up with little info. The boat in question is a 1985. I do not want to get into a waterlogged foam situation and cannot even find out construction for this brand. They were made in Florida.. Thanks for any info.

 

[jbcurt00]

Its a nearly 35yr old boat, how good or bad it was built when it left the factory is almost irrevelent. How it was maintained, stored and serviced is significantly more important over those 35yrs....

Only hands and eyes actually on the actual boat can determine if its beyond its service life or well maintained.

its probably a foam filled fiberglass hull and cap, w or without wood stringers, ribs and bulkheads beneath a plywood deck w a fiberglass coating w gelcoat, possibly all under glued down carpet.

 

[Scott Danforth]

boats built in the 80's had a design life of about 10 years.

as JB indicated, its a 35 year old boat. Brand only means initial quality until the boat is brought home. after that, it is care and maintenance that determine if the boat makes it much past its design life. was it left outside or was it wiped down with a diaper after every use then put away in the garage

condition that the boat is currently in will be key. if its like most 35 year old fiberglass boats in florida (long neglected), it may soon be ground up for filler for seacast.

 

[djm3801]

Thanks for responses. Perhaps in a lower cost boat I may be better off sticking with an aluminum hull.. Seacast! LOL.. I used that stuff when I rebuilt my McKee transom. Expensive but worked very well. Their support was great too, but I digress...

 

[Maclin]

"Perhaps in a lower cost boat I may be better off sticking with an aluminum hull.."

Yes, definitely. And I would add "with an outboard" Good luck!

 

[Scott Danforth]

In Florida, many aluminum boats get taken to the flats and abused. with anything, condition, condition, condition.

 

[djm3801]

Yes - Anything, boat or other, I buy I look over carefully. Once I bit off more than I could chew. My McKee Waccamaw was just too much work. I did learn a lot on that. I learned I am a horrible spray painter and I learned that I hate fiberglass material. OK to work with but cleanup is nasty.

 

[JimS123]

boats built in the 80's had a design life of about 10 years.

That statement is merely an opinion.

care and maintenance that determine if the boat makes it much past its design life. Was it left outside or was it wiped down with a diaper after every use then put away in the garage.

That's the crux of the matter. I know of quite a few FG boats older than '80 that are still quite serviceable. Engines eventually wear out, but a FG hull CAN last a lifetime if cared for.

In our case I use terrycloth and its covered, even in the garage...