Life span of a boat???????????

[tjaldur]

I wonder if this is more a question of lifestyle than of lifespan of a boat? It seems to me that a person who works for long hour, perhaps need to drive a long way from home to the slip etc. Perhaps even living in a climate where the boating season is short. It is very understandable that such a person wants a boat that demands as little maintenance as possible.

I for one, live aboard, I am retired and do not have to make many priorities. Maintaining and nursing my ship is an escape from idling. Bodily work, rowing and walking keeps me in good shape. But of course grinding and oiling wood, polishing brass, nursing an engine, is just a pleasure if one likes to do it, a punishment if one hates it.

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by Carlsbad

Boats and their components and gear will last as long as the owner continues the necessary investment in maintenance and repair. Those costs generally increase with each passing year. New boats generally offer better accommodation plans, sailing performance, technology and less maintenance costs. It's all about what you want and what you are willing to spend for it. If you have an older boat, enjoy it and find the maintenance costs acceptable, its hard to see why you would replace it.

I know it's hardly a pleasure yacht, but:

The MV Doulos was was built in 1914 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company for the Mallory Steamship Company of the United States and is currently the world's oldest active passenger vessel.

MV Doulos - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

She has a volunteer crew of ~300 people from 30 different countries. Aside from the 10 or so qualified positions (Captain, Chief Engineer, etc.), there are:

Electricians: 6 - 10
Carpenters: 5 - 8
Welders: 5 - 6
Plumbers: 2 -3
Engine Room: 12 - 15 including engineers, mechanics and refrigeration
Deckhands: 20 or more

So there's about 60 people whose full-time job is to keep the ship afloat and going where she needs to go. To keep these 60 alive and well, you need:

Kitchen: 10 - 15 including the Chef, cooks, stewards
Medical: 3-4 incl. Doctor, Dentist, Nurses
House-keeping: 10 - 15 including cleaners, laundry, etc.
others I've forgotten?....

So in all, simply because she's an old ship, around 1/2 to 2/3 of the ships company is required on board for nothing other maintenance and support of maintenance!

How long could she last?? As long as there are people and money prepared to keep her going.

A little food for thought.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by merttan

How would I figure out what's the material of the hull? (Without drilling a hole on it, if possible!!!) You guys made me curious now... What's the hull structure of my boat? It's a reinell 22... Anyone? Anyone at all? C'mon! Somebody gotta know something about this boat...

Reinell Sailboats

Mert, I'll bet these guys will know.
I'm 90% sure it looks like a cored top and solid a bottom but I could not find an authoritive answer.