Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

[Fordiesel69]

I know this is biased and not always the case, but every single used bowrider I looked at, was either soft, rotted out completely, or was already rebuilt to who knows what underneath. Why is this so common on a bowrider but not cuddys or closed bows? Brand did not seem to matter either. Granted they were not cared for, but neither were quite a few of the others I looked at that were not bowriders.

I also read a lot more posts about people rebuilding their bowriders. I really like the concept of a bowrider, but never did find a nice one.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Sounds like you got it in for us BW boaters... LOL

I have no real reason except to say that some may take more water over the bow than the cuddys. My floors are fine in both boats. Just lucky i guess.

 

[steddy]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Just a random thought - bowriders are generally a boating option of "weekend warriors." Most of the time, they aren't a really large part of their lives. They just pull them out Saturday morning, use them for the weekend, then park them in the back yard till next weekend. They really aren't given the care they deserve.

Cuddy cabin models are owned mainly by people who take boating a little more seriously, ever since their bowrider that they really started to enjoy rotted out. They now need a bigger more versatile boat, so they opt for a cuddy cabin instead of a bowrider. Boating is a bigger part of their lives now; so they know they have to take better care of their boat. Plus, they don't collect as much water due to half of the boat being enclosed. From what I've seen, also, the floors in cuddy cabin models seem to be higher off the bottom of the hull, so they aren't as apt to be submerged in the bilgewater, therefore lasting longer.

Again, just random thoughts.

 

[superpop]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I would guess it is because the open bow design tends to attract the average family that enjoys boating but is not hard core about the hobby. Most people I know with closed bow boats tend to spend a lot more time on them further into the seasons because of the closed in nature of a Cuddy or pocket cruiser. This typically attracts the more hard core boaters. Not that this is the rule, but maybe somewhat of an explanation. Hardcore boaters understand the ramifications of leaving a boat wet. Most leisure boaters don't know or care about rot or moisture damage. Plus I think open bow boats tend to get more water in them based on what they are typically used for, water sports.

 

[werthert]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Water in boat = enemy. Enemy crashes over the bow into BR easily and often over it's life. Enemy cannot enter cuddy cabin or cruiser in this way.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

So should this so called bowrider owner put the bow up in the air and pull the plug each time it is stored, likely this would be reduced, such as if I were to ever find a nice one?

I really like the front seat of a bowrider, and for fishing you don;t need to buy a fishing boat. A cuddy is horrific for fishing in large numbers. I use my cuddy for junk storage. Moth ball smell is too bad!!!!! Thats even after I threw them out and washed out the compartments.

 

[steddy]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

The thing to do is take the boat out of the elements when it isn't in use. Cover it, or better yet put it under a shelter or in a garage. Any boat or anything else will deteriorate if not cared for. Lots of proper storage threads out there.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Yes, you should store it bow high with the plug out. I have an open bow, but I take care of the boat, and I don't like water in it at all. It is always covered and I clean it out and vacuum it after each outing. It's like anything else, they can last a long time as long as they are cared for.

 

[ThinkBruce]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I think it just seems that way - there were probably more bow riders made than any other style of boat except maybe a center concole. Also i think bowriders are cheaply made. they were high volume production boats made quick and fast. Given there are so many around i think they are just neglected by more people because there are more of them. Also when you are looking for a solid boat chances are its being loved & cared for by someone who wishes to keep it. Just my opinion.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I would also think that many bowriders are used for water sports, so you have dripping wet people soaking the floor. Combine this with the carpet that most bowriders have, it sounds like a recipe for rot.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

99% of any boat rot is lack of proper care, plug out, bow high, and covered. not allowing the areas to dry out. come home tipsy, tired, the heck with the boat.

 

[jkust]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

What were the ages of the boats you were looking at? 80's, 90's...?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I would also think that many bowriders are used for water sports, so you have dripping wet people soaking the floor. Combine this with the carpet that most bowriders have, it sounds like a recipe for rot.

I think Graham hit it on the head...CARPET!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

When the interior is placed on the exterior, hey no surprise.!

Try moving your livingroom furniture outside for a few weeks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Graham and Bruce nailed it. They are just big scoops and are designed for comfort, not utility. A fishing-designed boat with a fiberglass floor, scuppers and closed bilge evacuates water as soon as it gets in, with no harm.

Why don't people who ride around in cars have water damage? B/c they don't use their cars in the water. Bow-rider boaters may think they are just riding around but they are in the water (boats are contrary to nature: they fight every second to keep the water displaced that ought to be in them). Only with careful and limited use, and maintenance, will they keep their luster.

Bow rider appointments (upholstery, carpeting, metals, electronics) would last like a car's if the boats were used, like a car, away from the water.
Have you ever seen the jeeps or Landcruisers that are stripped out so that you can drive them through creeks up to the doors? They are like our fishing boats; the stock SUV such as a Suburban is like a bow rider. Doesn't do so well after a couple of trips through the creek.

Once an older bow rider gets "tired" it will be used harder, and cared for less (cosmetically) and will age quickly. A 25 year old Parker is like a 4 year old Bayliner. So the older bowriders will show more wear b/c once they turn the corner, they get used hard (I see 20 year old bow riders used as fishing boats all the time, b/c around here, they are so cheap to buy. But no one smart uses a new one for fishing. I'm talknig salt water here)

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I would also think that many bowriders are used for water sports, so you have dripping wet people soaking the floor. Combine this with the carpet that most bowriders have, it sounds like a recipe for rot.

Speaks the truth. Most people with cuddy's dont have dripping wet people come in from skiing and plop down on the cushions down below. With bowriders you get the sopping wet people sitting on the upholstery/dripping on the carpet which rots the floor.

Also, there are many more BR's than cuddy's out there, so that will bias the results greatly. I suspect that at some point, you won't see this trend since a lot of the current manufacturers are using composite stringers/transoms/floors which will have no wood to rot out.

 

[salty87]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

i'm going against the current here...

i think rot comes from water and foam, not water and carpet. i haven't seen any decks rot from the top down, it's always from the bottom up.

compartments under the deck that have no drainage and are filled to the brim with foam rot decks. builders seem to think they can keep water out of areas when they can't, at least not over time. water gets into a place where it can't get out and bad stuff starts to happen.

wet carpet is no good but wet foam is worse, imo.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Anything to do with freshwater and wood is sure to attract rot.

Carpeting tends to retain moisture. You don't need rain or wet passengers to get carpet moist. Just leave the boat uncovered in the yard and the you'll see in the morning that the carpet is moist from the morning dew.

I read years ago that carpeting just makes for a fertile environment for fungus/molds to do their magic on the plywood decks. That reminds me of whenever my carpet at home gets wet and how after a few hours, it begins to smell.

I agree about most bowrider owners not being so serious,or, just ignorant, about the care of their boats. They're mostly first time owners with very little knowledge on the proper care of their boats. I used to be one myself. The boat dealership wasn't much help, neither.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

I don't care what you do, it's about impossible to prevent rot with wood in a wet environment, the carpet helps hold it in. The watterlogged foam makes it even worse, but the fact remains that you still have wet people bringing gallons of water into the boat over the course of a weekend, which sits in the bilge until drained. The wood will eventually rot over time.

Fiberglassing every inch helps out a lot, but unless you create a floor that keeps the water from going below the floor, you're gonna get rot. IMO, carpet may be "interior brought outside", but it's much safer than slick fiberglass when you just got out of the water to keep from busting your *****. The modern boats have snap-in carpet which keps solve the problem.

Older boats just suffer from design flaws which allow water to build and sit where it can rot the wood.

*Side note: while bow riders aren't protected from waves like closed bows, I have only had a few times where any significant amount of water from a wave actually splashed into the boat. Then again, I don't boat in 4'+ chop.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Why do bowriders rot so quick compared to other designs?

Well...nobody's mentioned one of the other contributing factors here...people riding in the bow often get bounced around more in some chop so they often spill their beers or other beverages.

As mentioned the carpet absorbs this and the rot begins.