Why would tracker do this?

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xxxflhrci

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

Doesn't surprise me. The wood used in the motor cover, seat bases, and backing boards in my boat are all scraps. Some of it even old paneling. I hate to think what is actually under the floor. It has held up great over the past 25 years, granted it's been babied...She's never been rained in...But, I'd guess most of the ones of the same brand haven't had it so lucky and haven't held up as well. The company is now outta business. No wonder.
 
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Shife

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

bigredinohio said:
Maybe my computer is messing up but that's not composite material unless wet, rotting wood counts. Having voids between pieces of wood is a big difference structurally then one or in this case three solid pieces. Although you are right that most of the load is carried by the fiberglass, the wood does act as reinforcement and you're only as strong as the weakest link.

That is what I call being cheap by Tracker.
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The image in the original post is in no way indicative of the quality of the product. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the technique and materials pictured in this application. A plywood core may not be a very sexy form of composite construction, but it is composite construction.

The difference between this and using Contourkore, end grain balsa, Kledgecell, Nomex, a solid sheet of ply, etc.. in this particular application for these two panel sections is a few ounces of weight. Nothing more. Now, if we're talking about the core choice and construction of the entire boat that is a different story. Triple the cost of that boat new and I can give you one that looks just like it only much, much, much lighter and stronger. That is the difference between a production boat and a high end boutique boat. The difference between a 'glass Tracker bass boat and a 'glass Bass Cat is the quality of the bells and whistles attached to the same generic FRP construction.

I'm one of the first guys that will call out shade tree crap handiwork, and there is nothing wrong with the construction method in that picture. I think the reason this looks so strange to so many is because apart from the occasional balsa cored hull, there isn't much exposure to cores and the various building techniques for cored boats on this forum. Anything apart from the generic plywood transom core and wood stringer repair looks exotic here.
 
bigredinohio

bigredinohio

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

Shife said:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the technique and materials pictured in this application.
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Umm, yes there is...the materials are WET and ROTTED! ;) We'll simply agree to disagree. :)
 
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Shife

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

bigredinohio said:
Umm, yes there is...the materials are WET and ROTTED! ;) We'll simply agree to disagree. :)
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Yes, because the fastener entry point was poorly sealed. The core construction has no bearing on this. Good luck finding ANY production manufacturer that doesn't suffer from that malady.

Tracker may well be the Chevette of the production boats in some peoples eyes, but at least arm yourself with knowledge before throwing darts at them.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

Pretty sure jserb found this same type of construction on a curved area of his Scarab.
 
NSBCraig

NSBCraig

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

You can argue all day how chunks of wood are just as good and everyone else can argue over what type of core to use for your transom, but...

that is sloppy work. PERIOD!

Cost to use solid pieces compared to scraps? Seriously you think it justifies it a couple bucks?

Never is the need to do such.
 
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Shife

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

NSBCraig said:
You can argue all day how chunks of wood are just as good and everyone else can argue over what type of core to use for your transom, but...

that is sloppy work. PERIOD!

Cost to use solid pieces compared to scraps? Seriously you think it justifies it a couple bucks?

Never is the need to do such.
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I'm curious as to how you justify this statement? Do you have any experience in composite panel construction or are you basing your opinion on the asthetic value of the core? Because there is absolutely nothing, nothing wrong with the method of construction in this application.

It is not "sloppy work". What is happening here is a group of DIY'ers trying to extend reason beyond their knowledge base.
 
NSBCraig

NSBCraig

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

Wow dude for someone who thinks they know a whole lot you really don't seem to.

So what is this great resume of knowledge your working on, it must be vast since you seem to think you are so much smarter than us group of DIY'ers trying to extend reason beyond their knowledge base.

Please do tell.
 
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ondarvr

ondarvr

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Re: Why would tracker do this?

This is not an uncommon practice and you could even consider to be "green"..... less waste.

Like Shife said, it may not be the most aesthetic core, but will work just as well. You should see how much stuff gets thrown in the dumpster after building a boat, and it costs money to dispose of it. So if they use it in some way it saves money on both ends.

There isn't much money in building small production boats, so if they can save $10.00 on each one it adds up fast when you?re building 25 per day, that would be $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year.
 
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