Fiberglass Boat Longevity & Tiderunner Pilot House?f

[Doug Roy]

After much work/money invested in the super-clean 1992 22' mid-cabin cruiser I bought 18 months ago, I pulled up probably the only cushion I hadn't looked under and found nasty rot. I had I been fighting a significant leak that seems to be associated with the windshield, where rain water was getting onto the cabin floor from that side of the boat. With the moral support and guidance of a fellow boater who has boat rebuilding experience, I opened her up. I've read about this kind of construction and seen it on a Friscoboater's video, but still was not prepared to see it first hand. There are two completely sealed compartments filled with foam between the side of the hull and the cabin floor, divided by a wood stringer running the length of the hull. Any water getting in has absolutely no way out. First it attacks the stringer. Once it rotted out enough of the bottom of the stringer it soaked through and started working on the marine plywood bulkhead where it can then get onto the cabin floor. At the low-point in the hull (aft-berth area), it apparently at some point had enough water in there soak the stringer up all the way to the top and start working on the decking under the cushion. This was some time ago as that decking there was rotten but dry when I took it out. The previous owner said he stored it in a shop. The excellent condition of the gel-coat would make this a valid claim, but at some point I assume the boat sat outside in the rain (maybe in the water) and due to the windshield leak this compartment filled significantly with water, apparently.

It seems to me that construction like this is not going to hold up on a boat that is exposed to rain very often like we have all the time in the Pacific NW. After a couple years, if not right out of the factory, some hull fitting is going to leak and the process of rotting will begin. This is not the kind of boat I want to invest any more time or money in. I prefer off-season boating and don't want to be freaking out about leaks every time it rains (most of the time). My plan is to start reading everything I can on this forum while I do the "demolition", repair the damage I find and put the boat up for sale next Spring. I'm going to lose a few thousand because I'd gone all out on making this the perfect little trailerable cruiser before finding the rot.

So what next? Now that my boating fund has shrunk considerably maybe I'm done with boats for good, if I was smart. Since my IQ is questionable, I've been eyeing the occasional 1981/82 23' Tiderunner Pilot House diesel inboard that comes up for sale here in the PNW. These boats were build in Gig Harbor WA. before the Tiderunner brand was sold. Talked to a couple of owners and they seem very happy with them. To my eye the construction looks very good, much superior to what I've got now. The one I recently looked at appeared completely tight and leak free with lot's of nice woodwork inside. If anyone is familiar with the hull construction methods used by Tiderunner on these boats I'd appreciate hearing from you. The hull design is more like a sailboat. Non-plaining with a small keel. It cruises comfortably at 7 - 9 knots, max being about 12. Seems to me that with good care and maintenance a boat like this might last forever. Any thoughts? Is there such a thing as a fiberglass boat that will last forever?

Thanks much for sharing your thoughts/experience with me!