How Old is Too Old - the boat, not me?

[Mako]

@DaveGibson that's good advice but tough to achieve. Pretty much all boats, and certainly nearly all 30+ year old boats, have wood cored decks and deckhouses. Even those wonderful Hatterases (sp?). Perhaps not such an issue if you buy a more recent cored boat (eg. 10 years or younger) and take the effort to remove, CPES and re-bed everything with a screw.

 

[DaveGibson]

@DaveGibson that's good advice but tough to achieve. Pretty much all boats, and certainly nearly all 30+ year old boats, have wood cored decks and deckhouses. Even those wonderful Hatterases (sp?). Perhaps not such an issue if you buy a more recent cored boat (eg. 10 years or younger) and take the effort to remove, CPES and re-bed everything with a screw.

True, there aren't many over thirty years old. Nordhavn, Tollycraft, and Nordic Tugs mainly. It's my feeling that all of the other builders "cheaped out" just to save money. They wanted to maximize profits selling new yachts, which makes perfect sense for them. Not when it comes time to sell, though.

In the twenty to thirty year span, American Tug, Mainship, Kady-Krogen, Selene, and PDQ cats used divinycell and Airex cored decks. There may be smaller builders as well.

That being said, I took my Cheoy Lee 46' from Connecticut to Albany NY to Green Cove Springs Florida without an issue, mainly down the ICW. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there!

 

[Mako]

I wouldn't be too worried about a new construction boat with wood cored decks and house, especially if it's a good wood like larch

 

[FlyWright]

Or better yet, no core on the hull....solid fiberglass is bulletproof if laid up correctly.

IMO,
Avoid balsa cores at all costs.
FG decks over teak decks.
The less exterior brightwork, the better.
Tank and component access is a priority if you plan to do the work yourself into senior ages.

 

[boomsurf]

79 Californian42LRC. Solid as a rock. Heavy as a rock also. Made in SoCal. Especially love the all mechanical CAT3208NA's. Extremely simple to work on. No desire for something newer, lighter and more complicated. Feels safe. Make sure you can insure and find a Marina for an older boat.