Yr.85 Fiberglass

Post by **rickr** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:14 pm

Anyone are owning Yr.198* fiberglass boat? Their price might be good, but I just wonder if there are always some problems in due to the age.

Post by **cprince** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:53 am

Often age doesn't matter. It is how it was taken care of. I have seen a boat with rotted a floor that was bought new in 2002. And a Glasstron from the 70s with the original transom and floor that was as solid as the day they bought it.

It all depends how it is taken care of.

If the boat is stored indoors and the clear-coat regularly taken care of, you have few worries. If it was kept on a trailer under a tree in the backyard without a tarp, run, no matter what year it is.

There are also many boats that are on the market that were back-yard rebuilds, some properly some not.

Check the floor, check the transom, they are mostly wood core with fiberglass shell... if it flexes a lot... the wood is probably punky and rotted inside.

Check the keel for signs of repair. Often scrapes that have been there for a while and have allowed water infiltration get covered up days prior attempted sales.

Good luck.

Go aluminum!

Post by **rickr** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:13 am

Thanks for your advice.
The boat is in good shape. However, I see there is color difference on one boat side, One area color is a little of yellow, another area is white. Does it mean the boat body was repaired?
The owner cleaned whole boat in order to sale it. It's hard to see any problems on body.

Post by **Raminator** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:20 pm

All glass boats will yellow from age,doesn't effect the glass underneath ,it is the gelcoat that yellows/fades. If you want a good old Glastron in good shape,and cheap,I have one with a trailer,I bought it for the one year only,80 L6 merc.