made in china
Seaman
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Messages
- 51
I recently acquired a 1986 Larson 175 Citation Bowrider. After searching for a while, it was the only boat that still had shiny gel coat. And it has a good running Mercury 115 straight 6 OB.
My question is about the build quality of these boats. I was going to pick up a 77 Cobalt which was said to have all fiberglass stringers, a rarity amongst most manufacturers I reckon.
I have a little bit of floor deck rot, some soft spots around the fuel tank area. In searching these forums I have found that most boats with this condition have far more damage than just the deck being rotted. Many boats have the stringers and ribs rotted out too. I have heard people say that the wood wasn't glassed sufficiently, too many screw holes or just painted wood that is susceptible to rot. I have also seen some posts that people had good luck, heavily glassed stringers that didn't rot, and I would guess that Cobalt's don't rot either.
So, how about Larson boats? Do they have tougher stringers and ribs? Or am I probably going to be in the same "boat" as everyone else here with soft floors?
I know I need to dig in to it to be sure. We just got the boat and I made a deal with the wife that I would resist spending time/money on the boat until we get this first season out of the way. So, I don't feel like inspecting it at this point, just curious what kind of reputation Larson has...
My question is about the build quality of these boats. I was going to pick up a 77 Cobalt which was said to have all fiberglass stringers, a rarity amongst most manufacturers I reckon.
I have a little bit of floor deck rot, some soft spots around the fuel tank area. In searching these forums I have found that most boats with this condition have far more damage than just the deck being rotted. Many boats have the stringers and ribs rotted out too. I have heard people say that the wood wasn't glassed sufficiently, too many screw holes or just painted wood that is susceptible to rot. I have also seen some posts that people had good luck, heavily glassed stringers that didn't rot, and I would guess that Cobalt's don't rot either.
So, how about Larson boats? Do they have tougher stringers and ribs? Or am I probably going to be in the same "boat" as everyone else here with soft floors?
I know I need to dig in to it to be sure. We just got the boat and I made a deal with the wife that I would resist spending time/money on the boat until we get this first season out of the way. So, I don't feel like inspecting it at this point, just curious what kind of reputation Larson has...
