Until the wet and rotting wood completely dissolves and is eaten by insects, there will not be a hollow sound. Tapping with a hammer doesnt mean anything
If it's wet, time to repair
I buy a tarp every few months to recover the Fiat. I have a canvas tarp covered by a vinyl / poly tarp. The vinyl / poly lasts a max of 5 months. They do not last in sunlight and wind
Covering a boat, I would go with canvas
what brand are you buying? Sierra or GLM?
Generally lack of cooling water flow is what causes the impeller to destroy itself, or the kits you are buying are old. Rubber has a calendar life that starts the day its molded, not when its used.
5083 / 5086 is marine plate. 6061 is cheaper industrial plate. 5052 is soft for covers and non structural stuff.
5083 is preferred as it looses less strength in the HAZ (Heat-Affected Zone) from a design standpoint. however the material is 2X the cost of 6061.
Not until entering the...
