We received this email in November 2014.
My husband and I are thinking of buying a Deltacraft currently moored on the Shoalhaven River.
Have been looking up dimensions on the internet, mostly because we are interested to learn the thickness of the fibreglass on the boat. Could you help us with this? Also some fishermen in the area have spoken about older fibreglass boats being of concern because the salt water can, over time, have an effect on 'eating into' the fibreglass . Can you help us with that also?
The boat has a Volvo 20hp 2 cylinder motor which we don't know much about at this stage but are told they just keep on keeping on.
We think we should have a diesel mechanic have a look at it so we know if any major work needs doing but otherwise we see the boat as an absolutely delightful project.
Steve advised as follows:-
Until I retired, I with my crew built all the Deltacraft Islanders including the one you mention. They have a reputation for being very solid as it was always my idea to build them to commercial standards, hence they are pretty well all, still in operation 30 years later.
The benefits of an extra heavy layup are many, firstly the strength and impact resistance is such I have never seen one holed. Then the thickness guarantees much less vibration from the engine, in other words, more comfort .
The Australian standards for GRP (glass reinforced plastic) was always followed and was something like this;
Gelcoate + 225 gsm (grams per sq mtr) + 600gsm + 600gsm + 1200gms for topsides then same on the bottom + another 1200gsm then completely overlapped across the keel and into the bottom.
Thus an inch thick keel guaranteed safety.
Your question about water permeating (osmosis) is pertinent, in our case I made sure that the laminate was fully cured in the mould so we never had osmosis to my knowledge, even though we used polyester resin, which is considered outdated these days. You can look for blisters under the antifoul just to be sure.
The Volvos are extremely reliable, if it starts easily then the compression is OK and the injectors also. They really are just a pump, no ignition or timing that can be adjusted. If I can be of further assistance let me know.
Good Luck and Happy Boating.