You are correct. I am referring to the IG line of boats. Now they appear as Integrity brand. I am looking at 1987-89 Mark II model in Europa model. I am trying to be an educated buyer. My other choice would by the Grand Banks. But not many sedans or Europa 36s about. I will wait.
Ron, I think, being an owner of one of the older kind of vessels, which does just happen to be a Europa type, (as in not aft cabin), which was quite rare back in 1975, although the norm now, I think what they are meaning when they say better built, is that the entire structure of hull and superstructure is fibreglass, cored with a timber in earlier days, but now usually with a synthetic material. With the really early builds, the superstructure was all timber, with just a painted outer surface, or at most a thin sheet of glass fibre cloth, then painted over.
These rotted more easily if water penetrated, but being timber are also not that hard to repair.
In addition to this development, the newer ones at some point, (all the Integrity models I think), stopped screwing down the teak decks, and they are either glued down, so as nothing pierces the fibreglass deck underneath, or many makers, including the Integritys, have dispensed with the teak altogether for the decks, with just fibreglass non-skid.
Then of course there are newer engines, usually turbocharged, in the later models, allowing higher speeds, but at reduced economy, although comparing time on distance, they are often not too bad in this respect. Hope that helps.
