How long will Ropelene last?????

I have read and heard that Ropelene will loose 50% of its strenght after 5 years. I have tried to get the skinny from Triumph but no one will give me a straight up answer. I would like to know what happens to it after a few years, what kind of toll does UV take on it, should you cover it up from the sun when it not in use? Will it get brittel over time, if so what is that time

[aronlevin]

I have been told that it will last for years (do not know how many). I also realize it is plastic and plastics break down in uv. I would cover it as much as possible just to be safe. I cover the boat when I am not useing it.

[NCangler]

Where did you read that Feejer? I've not seen that. If there is any truth to this...worst case is if it does weaken at some point you get a new hull because of Triumph's lifetime hull warranty.

I have to go back to my web history and look it up. I was doing some research on the Chemical components of Ropelene and I found a few interesting articles on it. I also have a friend who works for Dupont Plastics. He is also researching it for me. It really bugs me that I can't get a straight anwser from Triumph. Their Bubba video's are all well in good, but no where does it say how long this plastic will last. Whats so great about a life time warr on a hull if you need to go back every 5-10 years and get a new one

[MolarBoater]

My boat came with an expiration date imprinted on the transom.hahaha

No really, I will swap my hull out every 10 years for a free new one and I promise not to complain!

Unfortunately, there are UV inhibitors embedded into the polyethylene powder which makes up the Roplene. So you may not get your "expired" hull replaced for many years. The good news, once a hull expires, you have the limited lifetime warranty! So is that 15, 20, 25 or 50 years.....Genmar better not go belly up in the next half century, I want my new hull, I bought young!

Seriously, let us know what your DuPont friend says and ask about the UV inhibitors. Also, what is the expected lifespan of a gelcoat that goes unwaxed? These are interesting questions. Bet both end up similar.

[NCangler]

Here is the response I got from Triumph when I inquired about this today:

The boat material is infused with UV protection during the extrusion process as well as color concentrate. There are water tanks that are used in Mexico that have been doing the job in constant sun light and constant pressure from the water inside them. Of course the technology that is used today is much better. Most plastics that fail today were designed to fail (planned obsolescence). The bottom line is we would not offer a lifetime guarantee if we thought the material would fail in 15 or 20 years. - Triumph Representative

I believe there was a thread on The Hull Truth about this. Will not say any more than that!

The reason I brought the question up was this. Last Saturday I took a look at a used Logic (1st generation Triumph?) I think the boat was a 2000 year. The owner told me right off the bat that some of the plastic on the transom and console was brittle. Man was he right. I looked at the boat for 2 more minutes and then left. Needless to say I passed on the boat. That got me thinking about how many years the Ropelene would hold up for. Angler, that's the same email I got, when I questioned "how many years" is the material designed to last nobody either new or would not tell me. A lifetime guarantee is not worth the paper its printed on if the company has gone belly up. I'm not here to bash, just want to get all the facts before I spend my hard earned money. My Dupont friend should have some anwers for me next week. In the mean if anyone else has some hard numbers from Triumph please post this info

[NCangler]

I think it is going to be difficult to know exactly how long the hull will last as the company is less than 10 years old (I think that is right) and it can depend on how the boat is cared for and maintained, just as it would for a fiberglass boat. I think this is all conjecture at this point. I wouldn't count on Triumph going 'belly up' though. They seem to be in the best shape since I've been following them. But you never know. Any manufacturer could go belly up these days. Good luck in your search for a boat.

[delawaredogfish]

I know one thing for sure, my 1987 Angler (fiberglass boat) had white chaulk dust all over it when left uncovered for a season. When i waxed/polished it(every eason) my wax rags were covered in the material. The white dust was the fiberglass coating breaking down from the suns UV rays. The sun will break down everything over time. I own a 2006 190 bay and experienced no signs of material breakdown this past season. Common sense has to say some treatment and covering goes a long way.
Use a uv blocker and cover the boat when not in use. I believe we should have no problems.
My old Angler also had Teake wood. What a pain in the rump that stuff was!
Give me Composite material anyday of the week!
Also check out some of the new Deck material. Composite is taking over the pressure treated wood market. I have to believe some of these composites are the same material.
Good luck selecting a boat.