Composites Vs. Wood

[TiGer85SS]

Would I be correct to assume that using a composite material such as Coosa, Space Age or Penske would save time in the rebuilding of a boat(transom and stringers)? I am assuming the layup time would be drastically reduced due to not having to allow time for the resin to soak into the wood or is the process still the same? I am about to start buying material for the rebuild on a bassboat and I am trying to look at all aspects to see which would be the most efficient. As far as resin I am planning on using either vinyl ester or epoxy. I know a lot of people are going to say go with composite, but I have talked with a few people that do this type of work daily and they have said that since the industry has switch to full composite boats that have replaced more transoms than they ever did with wood boats that were properly built. It is true that the composites don't rot however, what I have been told is that they just deteriorate.

[XstreamVking]

I used divinycell, penske , bi-axial glass, and vinyl resin on my King and have had no problems at all. Not one crack. The coosa core boards etc are easier to cut and form compared to ply. The adhesion and prep is equal imo. I sand the coosa and also the ply wood surface before I glass it to ruff it up some. You can save a little weight with core board and foam core. Ply and balsa are still very good materials. Really your preference as to what you use. Balsa and ply if sealed well will last for decades. Foams and core board materials if properly done will last for even longer.

[TiGer85SS]

I used divinycell, penske , bi-axial glass, and vinyl resin on my King and have had no problems at all. Not one crack. The coosa core boards etc are easier to cut and form compared to ply. The adhesion and prep is equal imo. I sand the coosa and also the ply wood surface before I glass it to ruff it up some. You can save a little weight with core board and foam core. Ply and balsa are still very good materials. Really your preference as to what you use. Balsa and ply if sealed well will last for decades. Foams and core board materials if properly done will last for even longer.

Ok thanks. I'm not really concerned with weight because the boat only weighs about 950-1000lbs originally. However, I'm wanting to rebuild it so I can pass it down to my children. I also plan to regel or paint the boat to change the color. I'm not really a fan of the blue and gold meta flake.

[XstreamVking]

If you go with wood, you also might consider using an epoxy resin.

[TiGer85SS]

If you go with wood, you also might consider using an epoxy resin.

Yes Sir, if I decide to go with wood that would be the resin that I would use. Would Douglas Fir be a good choice or would something like hydrotech brand wood work out better?

[XstreamVking]

I would use a 3/4'' marine plywood for stringers and transom. It is better than a natural wood board, with regard to warping and dimensional stability. Accepts resin well too...Not familiar with the hydrotech.

[TiGer85SS]

I would use a 3/4'' marine plywood for stringers and transom. It is better than a natural wood board, with regard to warping and dimensional stability. Accepts resin well too...Not familiar with the hydrotech.

The douglas fir that I was referring to is a marine plywood that is available locally. The hydrotek wood is one that was used by a guy I know that rebuild a shadow bassboat and and he used some epoxy resin in his rebuild. I will just see what I can get the best deal on and go from there. I would like to try out the composites but I also understand that if I soak the marine plywood real good with epoxy and laminate the sides I will have basically built a composite structure. I just have to make sure that any holes that are drilled are sealed.