How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

[biloxiriver]

While looking a potential purchase over recently I noted, with some concern, that I could read (although not clearly) the state registration numbers on the hull from the inside. Let me explain. I was checking out the anchor locker and while doing so I noticed that I could read the last two letters of the registration number throught the hull fiberglass. The other numbers could not be read because some additional fglass and paint had been applied in the locker. This is a 25' Center Console boat; is this normal for boats of this size?? My largest boat was a 22' CC and I never had a reason to check for this condition so am not sure whether or not it is normal. Can someone enlighten me about this??

 

[bayman]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

That's a tough one. Some fiberglass / resin combinations are fairly transparent. Also, builders tend to have thicker glass (in addition to strings etc) where needed - such as on the bottom of the hull.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Not a problem.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Ok, thanks for the help. I will probably have a marine surveyor assess the boat before making an offer and if there is any concern he should note it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

And the brand is ---------------?????

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

It is a 1986 25', mfgr'd by Spacecraft Boat Works, Miami, FL. Haven't been able to find out anything about them yet except that they were in business during the 80's. They are listed by NADA and BUC so at least I can get a value on the boat. It has a 235 OMC Seadrive on it. Except for the issue of the hull glass thickness it looks like a pretty good boat, and is a deep v.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Some poly resins are darker then others when cured.So,what some boat builds do is slap some epoxie paint on the inside.Just push on the side to see if it gives a bunch,that will tell you a bunch.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Hey thanks for the feedback. Talked with a marine surveyor today who told me that it is nothing to worry about and said that he has seen the numbers through the hull on numerous boats. Gonna give it a test drive tomorrow and see how she does. Will keep ya'll posted.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Oh yeah. I did find out that Spacecraft Boat Works was in business from 1971 - 1993.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Did my test drive, ran out good, very smoothe and suprisingly quiet, so I bought it.

 

[swist]

Re: How Thick Should The Fiberglass Be??

Another complication is that there are a lot of ways to layup glass - a lot of exotic resins and even more exotic cloths, coupled with a lot of high or lo tech manufacturing methods. So the strength of a cured piece of fiberglass may have relatively little to do with it's thickness. <br /><br />Within limits, even flex isn't a real good test, since it is possible to make a very thin layup that's immensely strong (kevlar comes to mind).