I have a theory about older boats

[airdvr1227]

I'm only going from my experience having owned two. Wood picks up moisture. While the wood might not be rotten it will pick up moisture over the years making the boat much heavier than it was when it rolled off the manufacturer's line.

I never weighed either of my boats. My first was trailerable and it felt much heavier than the advertised 5,000 lbs. My current rig was 11,000 lbs. empty when it was new. I seriously doubt that would be the weight today.

What do you think of my theory?

 

[Doh]

Not only the wood, but the Expandable Foam Floatation, acts like a sponge.

 

[82rude]

My glass boat weighted in at 1200lbs new, when it hit the scrap yard scales it was 1975lbs.On the other hand my cedarstrip boat weighs the exact same . as it did new vs 50 years old.I don't believe the wood really added much weight when wet vs the foam which was a ton.

 

[Scott Danforth]

just wood absorbing moisture from the air....that could be about 100# in a large boat.

then again, properly encapsulated wood would not be able to gain or lose moisture

water getting into encapsulated areas and not getting out, foam breaking down and becoming saturated....wood becoming rotten......will add about 2000# to a 24' boat.

 

[redneck joe]

Remember the 'advertised' weight is dry.

add to that
batteries
fuel
oil
fresh water
beer
ice
towels
toilet paper
shoes
first aid kit
cleaning products
washdown bucket
stereo
dock pole
sandwiches
the two fans we added
fishing poles and tackle boxes
anchor, with 20 chain rode
spare anchor
6 dock ropes
spare 100 foot rope
bedding
pillows
Two tool kits
spare oil
spare hydraulic fluid
knives
forks
spoons
8 inch Lodge skilliet
coffee percolator
ketchup
mustard
cheese

etc
etc
etc



yes, i listed toilet paper. If you honestly think thru every single item that you add to your boat you will find it adds up. The bigger the boat the more you add. Our 34 foot lifted about an inch when we sold her, my buddies 32 footer right at three inches.

 

[garbageguy]

I think your theory is a fact, given certain conditions. Dry wood can certainly become more saturated, as can any porous material.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Why do they call it "dry" rot? I have ripped out more than a few floors from boats in the last few years and the wood coming out is lighter than the new wood going in. The foam is probably 50 times heavier than the new stuff going in, maybe more. I better weigh it next time.

 

[JimS123]

If you're talking about a (total) wood boat, I think the weight increase would be negligible. Wooden boats are intended to float! The type of wood used is specific for that purpose.

If you're talking about the wooden components in a fiberglas boat (i.e., stringers and floor (deck)), now the pickup could be be measurable. Regardless, its the foam that sucks up the water and the foamed cavities that holds it in.