Posted by Billy on October 16, 2003 at 10:58:10:
In Reply to: fibergals strength posted by Jeff Johnson on October 15, 2003 at 12:47:10:
I've built one of those other boats, a small 12' sail boat. Very easy and seems very durable. When you get into the larger boats (I have Glen-l 18' Ski-Bass plans to build someday) there are tradeoffs in prices. Glen-L may not use the Biaxial Cloth that composite construction requires, but you will need a lot of hardwood for framing. Where I am, hardwood is not cheap. In the Composite construction, almost no hardwood is required (except maybe a clamping board at the transom inside). This really can offset the cost differences. You would really have to do a good cost estimate between like sizes and models, and account for all of the fasteners, hardwood, etc, vs. ply, fillers, epoxy, glass,...
Only then can you really tell, and that's just a cost basis. Time to build and ease of build is something else to consider. One is not easier than the other, just different skills (easy to learn), and different methods. There may be a size limitation, at about 23-25 feet for the ply/composite construction. Bigger than that and it seems that foamcore or other methods begin to make more sense. Just my 2 cents worth.
Billy