1990 Sea ray Laguna 24 ft , wood core or composite ? anybody know

[alanber]

Speaking with broker
He could not answer my question ,
20 years I owed a 21 ft walk around , cuddy , SR , model called ( Fisherman )
Transom had hollow areas , Original 4 - cylinder 488 Mercruiser IO with Alpha 1
( both needed rebuild ) Everything on boat was worn , cabin , seats , Bimini
Boat was a 1984
Started ripping into transom and discovered transom wood crumbling when touched , termites , All wood was compromised ,
Costly restoration . - Donated

I also own a 30 foot ( brand x )
Power - twin Volvo Penta 4.3 . DPX drives
weekender ,
Have a 3 axle trailer . Not fun towing 9 thousand 9.5 beam boat ,
Tow vehicle is a older F 350, no 4/4 some ramps cant get out
Considering down sizing .
Nothing larger then 24 ft ,
OB's
on trailer

I came across a 1990 SR Laguna - 24 ft - Set up for OB NO ENGINE
Dealer could not answer , Reaching out too the SR community
DOES A 1990 LAGUNA HAVE WOOD CORE OR COMPOSITE STRUCTURE UNDER
THE FIBERGLASS ????
Good used OB engines is slim pickings , So got too add $ 10 grand
I have a Highlander which can tow 5 thousand lbs
THANK YOU

 

[El Capitan]

All wood and that Highlander will struggle to tow that boat if at all.

 

[alanber]

Not looking too repeat same issues, thanks for your response
My F 350 can tow easily ,

 

[Riptide III]

All wood core transom. Had rot in mine. They came with twin Mercury 135 or 150. I replaced mine with a new tohatsu 250. Anything less would be underpowered in my opinion. In thins case I think my opinion is pretty good

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yup - wood construction. However, that in and of itself, doesn't mean it's bad. It could very well be in great shape and with attention (keeping things sealed), it can stay that way. The condition can be found out with some close inspection and exploratory holes (if needed and allowed by the owner). But this is also a time when you should consider hiring a good, reputable hull surveyor. If everything else is satisfactory to you, including the price, then (if you know what you're looking for) give it a good looksie yourself to see if anything stands out to you. If it still looks promising, then hire the surveyor.

Wood in a boat is not an automatic death sentence - there's too many factors to just blindly write it off.

 

[alanber]

Thank you for your responses , Re- reading my post , Don't think I made myself clear, I had a similar boat too the Laguna, 1984 walk around , small cuddy , IO - Mercruiser , Fisherman ,
Really liked that boat , Owing 20 years ,
Wood rot
WHAT YEARS DID COMPOSITE BECOME STANDARD WITH MFGS ?Presently own a 30 ft , 2005 twin volvo penta gas engines cruiser

Started too consider down sizing . Too much work
Not fun anymore ,
When I came across the dealer add , WOW , Laguna is nice boat , 24 ft , mine was 21 ,
Newer model , set up for OBs ,
Something I can keep home , save marina fees , limited cabin comforts , trailer all over , FISH which is seldom do off the 30 footer ,
Dealer could not answer the wood or composite question, figured somebody on the SR Forum would know answer
$ 10 grand (no engines ) Sitting while , now down too $ 7 grand $ 10 grand for new engine

Unless I want too spend big bucks for newer boat , a well maintained older boat is fine , Just critical wood structure is not compromised ,
THANKS AGAIN

 

[El Capitan]

$10 grand for new engine?

I know of no boats of 1990’s vintage from Sea Ray that did not use wood in the stringer system.

There are newer vintage fishing boats that are 100% wood free. My in water experience w them is that they behave like a cork in water.

Wood or no wood is the wrong question. The question is moisture or no moisture? And if so, what is the reading.

People forget what canoes, boats and ships were first made of.

 

[Riptide III]

I like mine a lot. I think they are good boats for the era they were built. Plenty of rod holders bait well ect. I think $10000 is too much for that boat without an engine. I would love to know where you are going to get at least 250hp worth of outboard(s) for $10000. I bought the cheapest 2019 250hp outboard I could find. It set me back $15000. I hung and rigged it myself. It was a Tohatsu (Honda). Believe me when I say it again. “Less will be underpowered”. I think the boat should be in the $5000 range if it is around a 1994 vintage. I don’t think you mentioned the year. Mine was originally bought by me with power and a new trailer For $10000.

 

[Lazy Daze]

WHAT YEARS DID COMPOSITE BECOME STANDARD WITH MFGS ?

There is no standard year for this. Sea Ray started with composite stringers in the mid-90's with their small bowriders - but the transom still had wood.

But, as mentioned, the main point is that it's not something to be afraid of - thoroughly checking it out is the goal.

 

[alanber]

Every boat I owned had IO's
Laguna was rigged for OB's and I was guessing $ 10 grand , Never shopping for OB ,

My buddy bought a boat just too swap engines
Going from 150 too 225 , Yamaha ,
Cleaned boat , sold , made a profit covering rigging

With virus good boats & RVs are in short supply

 

[nealtrombley]

My 88 is wood, its old and yes some moisture and wet areas,,, still a strong boat with a 250 yammy...