about to buy a liveaboard

[robdyson]

id like to hear opinions on the best material for a boat grp,wood, steel etc which material will last longest

[CaptainForce]

'no easy answer for this. It depends on where you keep the vessel, original manufacturing, maintenance and how you cruise. The obvious record holder in this over 5,000 year old wood vessel.


However, this is where you need to keep it in order to maintain it for that long!

Ferrocement rates second in longevity, but not those that were home built in the '70's & '80's. Steel is, for sure, the strongest if the threat to the lifespan of your boat is collision and groundings. Fiberglass is definitely the winner for the maintenance and use of most vessels. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[imagine2frolic]

There is another wood which is strong, and light if done properly. That is cold molded, and it's easy to work with........i2f

[bdietrich]

Check out my web page about this:
billdietrich.byethost8.com/BoatHull.html#Hull

Bill

[poopdeckpappy]

The best material is one that is maintained properly, so all the ones you mentioned could be the best, which leads to the question of easiest and least expensive to maintain, I would guess FG

[tager]

I think they will all last longer than a mere human.

[edguy3]

CaptainForce, not sure if that one counts because it was disassembled and stored in a tomb for most if those 5000 years. Even now, the room it is in is climate controlled and one must wear bunny slippers in order to get close to it.

On a more relevant note: does location impact hull material choice?

[DwayneSpeer]

Good question. Just as an item to think about.

I hit just about everything possible with my FRP boat and have yet to hole it. But then it's not one built in mass and was laid up pretty well.