choosing the best materials pays off in the end. Far too many production boats cut corners with little regard for what happens in five years let alone the possible 50 year lifespan of a fiberglass boat. Far too many boats develop issues that, with a little forethought on the part of the builder could be prevented or delayed for decades.

When I was a kid, an American car was old at 100,000 miles. It took competition from the Japanese to double that lifespan. Unfortunately, the same won't happen with boats.

Most boats are designed to sit in marinas and have occasional use. Boats that are used a lot, such as liveaboards and full time cruisers show their weaknesses much faster.