03-12-2008, 12:43 PM
yes wood construction was the main form to boat building then.the composite stringers,and transoms were just starting.
when looking at a aluminum boat,look at the bow to see if its been run up on shore,this would wear down the thickness of the metal,another thing is look at is rivits,look for missing or loose,this would cause leaks.you could ask to flood the boat with a garden hose,this would show any leaks,look around the transom for cracks in the corners,dont be afraid of pulling on the transom to see if theres any give this would be a sign of the wood getting soft.now in the boat,walk around every inch of the floor,even in the corners.check for cracking noises,or give,dont be afraid of bounceing your weight ,if theres any access plates,open them up and look for rotted wood.if the boat has a built in gas tank,find out what it made of.if it fiberglass,i would plan on replaceing it,or runnin portable tanks.the ethenol gas eats fiberglass,and makes a big mess of the motor
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when looking at a aluminum boat,look at the bow to see if its been run up on shore,this would wear down the thickness of the metal,another thing is look at is rivits,look for missing or loose,this would cause leaks.you could ask to flood the boat with a garden hose,this would show any leaks,look around the transom for cracks in the corners,dont be afraid of pulling on the transom to see if theres any give this would be a sign of the wood getting soft.now in the boat,walk around every inch of the floor,even in the corners.check for cracking noises,or give,dont be afraid of bounceing your weight ,if theres any access plates,open them up and look for rotted wood.if the boat has a built in gas tank,find out what it made of.if it fiberglass,i would plan on replaceing it,or runnin portable tanks.the ethenol gas eats fiberglass,and makes a big mess of the motor
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