Do all these problem threads worry you?

[Another retired guy]

I bought my first boat last year. It was 24 years old but in great shape. One owner and marina maintained - even knew the owner!
I was happy - no problems with the boat and enjoying my first full season this year. Then I started reading the threads in this forum and see all the problems that can be found with older glass boats.
I never realized how many things could go wrong with a boat!
Now I find myself checking the boat whenever I read of a problem someone is having that I could have
It's like reading a medical book when you have a pain and end up believing you have a terminal illness!
Anybody else feel this way?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

Well, you are fortunate to have a boat that was maintained properly. Many people (MANY) practice neglect because it is the easiest way to go. That neglect practice adds up like change on your dresser. Before you know it the amont is very high and then people practice the 2nd most common....... fixing the loudest squeak.

Reading the forums is great because it gives you the whole picture of what to really watch out for and it also shows the results of the common practice of neglect.

Isn't it nice to have a hobby where you are the Triage Nurse, Doctor, Surgeon, Physical Therapist, Hospital Administrator all rolled into one! Consider the forum the Medical Journal! People write there articles and get to consult with equals.

Fun isn't !!

 

[rparde]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

I feel the same way ARG. I bought my first new to me boat 2 months ago and have done more fixing than actual boating. I find myself stepping away from the engine threads because they scare the crap out of me, especially the water in oil or cracked block threads. I have learned more from this forum than I could have ever imagined. I will be much more prepared when it comes time to buy the next boat.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

Good analogy. Hopefully, after I've checked absolutely everything on this boat I'll relax and enjoy it

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

I feel the same way ARG. I bought my first new to me boat 2 months ago and have done more fixing than actual boating. I find myself stepping away from the engine threads because they scare the crap out of me, especially the water in oil or cracked block threads. I have learned more from this forum than I could have ever imagined. I will be much more prepared when it comes time to buy the next boat.

Totally agree - especially the oil comment. I now check the oil after every run!!

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

What you have to keep in mind is that this is a DIY site. A lot of the guy/gals get their first boat on a very tight budget and then take the DIY approach at fixing it up. They get their boats dirt cheap and for good reason but they pour their hearts into fixing it up and in a lot of cases they're giving their families an opportunity for pleasure that they wouldn't otherwise know.

That's why the boats you read about on here have so many problems. Its perfectly normal given the circumstances.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

To me, all fiberglass boats are rotten.
They're either in the early stages of rot, mid ways of being rotted out, or fully rotten to the core.

I even imagine that the brand new ones on the showroom floor have a tiny particle of rot deep in the heart below the deck just waiting for a few drops of moisture so it can grow and bloom.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

To me, all fiberglass boats are rotten.
They're either in the early stages of rot, mid ways of being rotted out, or fully rotten to the core.

I even imagine that the brand new ones on the showroom floor have a tiny particle of rot deep in the heart below the deck just waiting for a few drops of moisture so it can grow and bloom.

Must have a beer can boat?

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

I love all these problem threads.. (makes me feel I'm not alone with problems) (Cheesy Grin)

Actually, my SeaSwirl has been problem free for 16 yrs. Really.. no problems at all. Did all the maintenance yearly on it. All my trouble started when I took it to a shop because it was shifting hard. They replace the bellows, and u-joints, and a few minor things and said it was good as new.. (It wasn't.. my shifter rod was so gummed up, it broke the new cable trying to shift it). So, THIS TIME I'm doing it right.. I'm replacing it. Along with shifter rod, and bearing housing. (with the help from IdleSpeedOnly from this site). He was awesome help!

 

[The Guy]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

To me, all fiberglass boats are rotten.
They're either in the early stages of rot, mid ways of being rotted out, or fully rotten to the core.

I even imagine that the brand new ones on the showroom floor have a tiny particle of rot deep in the heart below the deck just waiting for a few drops of moisture so it can grow and bloom.

That's kind of the way I feel. I just have never seen it expressed so well, and yes I own a couple beer can boats.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

To me, all fiberglass boats are rotten.
They're either in the early stages of rot, mid ways of being rotted out, or fully rotten to the core.

I even imagine that the brand new ones on the showroom floor have a tiny particle of rot deep in the heart below the deck just waiting for a few drops of moisture so it can grow and bloom.

Oh no- now I know what tonight's nightmare is going to be!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

To me, all fiberglass boats are rotten.
They're either in the early stages of rot, mid ways of being rotted out, or fully rotten to the core.

I even imagine that the brand new ones on the showroom floor have a tiny particle of rot deep in the heart below the deck just waiting for a few drops of moisture so it can grow and bloom.

And get off his lawn!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

If you got a boat, you got a problem.

But just like reading the medical sites,you can scare yourself to death over remote possibilitiesm, instead of probability. Salt water fiberglass boats don't have the rot issues that fresh water boats do.
Websites may describe an issue that happend once or twice; don't think it happens a lot.
Lots of bad information out there, or isolated stories.

Some people cook up, and others repeat, crazy theories like fiberglass soaks up water so don't leave your boat in the water. Or any boat will sink after a rain storm.

you just have to figure out what to ignore, what is ridiculous, and what is important.

 

[zlman1970]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

If you got a boat, you got a problem.

But just like reading the medical sites,you can scare yourself to death over remote possibilitiesm, instead of probability. Salt water fiberglass boats don't have the rot issues that fresh water boats do.
Websites may describe an issue that happend once or twice; don't think it happens a lot.
Lots of bad information out there, or isolated stories.

Some people cook up, and others repeat, crazy theories like fiberglass soaks up water so don't leave your boat in the water. Or any boat will sink after a rain storm.

you just have to figure out what to ignore, what is ridiculous, and what is important.

I lol'd

 

[Shortbuss]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

Doesn't bother me at all. I have owned two newer jeeps and used to read the forums alot too. With the amount of problems you read about I should have been scared to leave the driveway. But I beat the hell out of both jeeps and never had any problems at all. I also maintain them, like the boat.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

Then there's the guys like me that get onto another project even before the last one is finished.
I have more boats come thru my yard in a season than most people will own in a lifetime.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Do all these problem threads worry you?

I make my living working on them and the smartest thing I did was buying a bowling ball