Fibreglass Is Everybody's Friend

Even the repairman’s…sometimes…

By: Henry E. Prante

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“FIBREGLASS? SURE –- IT'S GREAT STUFF." Most citizens who own well performing glass boats gladly agree to that, but there were always some unfortunate mariners who want to know how to repair it after something has gone wrong. Having been a boat builder and fibreglass repairman with over 20 years practical experience, the publisher of the Northwest Sportsman magazine asked me to write an honest and informative piece about the common problems boat owners might have. Of course, it is extremely difficult to be entirely honest and not offend some builders or dealers. In addition, the publisher who runs a good bit of boat advertising is indeed courageous to ask for an honest article. I personally have no quarrel with anyone. Badly built boats are a great boon to the repair business, and the good ones – well, there also comes a time when they hit drifting logs, run onto the rocks or possibly get hit by cars, perhaps even another good boat. You see, it would be foolish for anyone to claim that their product is completely and forever free of maintenance or, as has been said of fibreglass: indestructible.