wood or composite

[Mr. Chesapeake]

If you are going to buy a brand new boat would you buy a boat with wood or composite and why ?   what are the positives and negatives for both ?

[CLM65]

For me, I would definitely go wood-free.  I know there is nothing wrong with wood as long as it is encapsulated properly and maintained properly, but humans build the boats and humans maintain the boats.  And humans make mistakes.  Composite boats just seem to have one less thing to worry about.  Plus I tend to keep things for a long time, so I want them to last.

[RickK]

Agree with Craig's thoughts 
With wood, if it's initially sealed correctly it can last a long time - where the problems come in is the first time an owner drills into the wood and doesn't do it properly and doesn't seal it well, the demise of the wood starts.  All holes should be over-drilled and filled with thickened epoxy and then drilled again for the screw.
Composite can be a problem also if you want to mount things and don't pre-plan the mounting spot. Most composites don't hold a screw well so they must be treated properly too.
My rebuild is a mix - the transom is wood and when I drilled into it I over-drilled and filled and then drilled again.  I also tried to pre-plan where I would need to mount things on the transom and built up spots to mount them so the mounting screws wouldn't puncture the wood. The only other wood is in the backing of the casting deck. Everything else is composite or pure glass.

[Mr. Chesapeake]

Rickk,
That was great information on composite.I didn't know about the problem on drilling in composte, my Maritime Skiff is all composite.Clm65 i agree on keeping a boat for a long time and mainteance free boat or less of.I'm trying to figure out why May craft,C-Hawk,Grady-White and few other are still putting wood in there boats.Are they lagging behide from the rest of the boat builders or are they trying to keep the cost down on the price tag ? Aquasport is going with KEVLAR for additional layer between you and the water this is great move to increase there boat sales.And again i'm hopping on the return of Aquasport 175 cc/striper ... So i can continue on having those great old days in a Aquasport crusing the Chesapeake..Thanks
                                                                                    Mr. Chesapeake 

[Capt. Bob]

It's all about marketing.

Makers using composites market "no wood no rot".
Makers using wood market tradition and strength.

Hydra-sport used Kevlar in some of their hulls (early on they had de-lam problems) and so Aqua seems to be using the same layup schedule along with the molds and marketing hype.

Cost is always a factor not only to the big guys but to re-builders of any old boat. Besides, if the hull holds together for ten years, the builder is very happy and has yet another marketing tool (longevity) be it composite or wood construction. I don't believe you'll find anyone stating the brands you named as poison because their life expectancy has been greatly reduced (from ten years) with the use of wood. Yes composite builders may offer a lifetime warranty but if you don't like the look or the ride well.... Besides, at my age, "lifetime" is a relative term that relates to shorter rather than longer.

If I was buying new, my first requirement would be ride quality followed by layout and storage for my type use. Looks always helps but it would be below the latter. If the build was all composite great but the use of wood would not be the deal breaker. That would be the ride/handling and usability.

[Mr. Chesapeake]

Hey Capt. Bob,,,

Great information on wood and composite. I see you from Tallahassee. I have a place not too far from Tallahassee it's in Port St. Joe,Florida.I'm on Dancing Moon lane...
                                           Thanks... Mr. Chesapeake...