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Posting a reply to: Fiberglass vs. Aluminum

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[QUOTE] - 7/2/2002  4:13 PM

Fiberglass is as tough as any material out there for a boat hull. There are other advantages, including the ability to fix impact damage without attempted welds,new rivets, or replacement.

Many of the Glass boats now have composite floors and side tanks; light, strong, and rot free. They also offer dry storage, something at a premium in an aluminum. The Tuffy models you mention are composite, and are light despite the fact they are VERY strong.

The only necessary care is for the finish and carpet. Treat the finish as you would your car, and it will stay bright and new for a very long time.

There are many Tuffy boats out there still powering along from the 70's and 80's; I run into the owners at the winter shows all the time. Those were basically 'stone age' products compared to what is being built today, so the 2003 models should outlast the owner if cared for.

You will pay more for the Fiberglass, but compare the storage, finish work under the lids and in the parts of the boat one seldom looks into, and you will see why.

Watch the Warranty tricks out there. Most are 'limited' and are a fraction of the full coverage in a few years, and do not transfer from owner to owner. The average in the business for a boat owner to buy new is every three years, so the builders can offer 20 year hull bottom warranties and 10 top deck, but only to the original owner. In most cases, the boat is sold or traded in three, and the warranty is gone.

Tuffy offers a 5 year structural warranty, covers the gel coat too, and it is fully transferrable throughout that period. I will assure you, if in 5 years no structural difficulty has shown, there usually will not be one later.[:bigsmile:] [/QUOTE]

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You are replying to:

Posted 7/2/2002 4:13 PM (#37467)
Subject: Fiberglass vs. Aluminum

Fiberglass is as tough as any material out there for a boat hull. There are other advantages, including the ability to fix impact damage without attempted welds,new rivets, or replacement.

Many of the Glass boats now have composite floors and side tanks; light, strong, and rot free. They also offer dry storage, something at a premium in an aluminum. The Tuffy models you mention are composite, and are light despite the fact they are VERY strong.

The only necessary care is for the finish and carpet. Treat the finish as you would your car, and it will stay bright and new for a very long time.

There are many Tuffy boats out there still powering along from the 70's and 80's; I run into the owners at the winter shows all the time. Those were basically 'stone age' products compared to what is being built today, so the 2003 models should outlast the owner if cared for.

You will pay more for the Fiberglass, but compare the storage, finish work under the lids and in the parts of the boat one seldom looks into, and you will see why.

Watch the Warranty tricks out there. Most are 'limited' and are a fraction of the full coverage in a few years, and do not transfer from owner to owner. The average in the business for a boat owner to buy new is every three years, so the builders can offer 20 year hull bottom warranties and 10 top deck, but only to the original owner. In most cases, the boat is sold or traded in three, and the warranty is gone.

Tuffy offers a 5 year structural warranty, covers the gel coat too, and it is fully transferrable throughout that period. I will assure you, if in 5 years no structural difficulty has shown, there usually will not be one later.[:bigsmile:]