Most manufactured bass boats of today are built for production speed. The manufacturers have to make units fast, and they have to get them out the door quick to fulfill their orders.  The hull and top deck thickness of these boats as a whole is very thin. They then put the two pieces together and inject them with foam. The foam is used for structural strength and flotation. That is the main reason why it is so difficult to find a bass boat these days that has a front live well. Since the boat is filled with foam, there is no way for them to fix the livewell if it becomes damaged. To remedy this they build the livewells in the rear.

      Also over time, boats retain water. Whether this is from humidity, or normal use, boats with foam liners will begin to act like a sponge, absorbing water and getting heavier and heavier.      Big "O" Boats are constructed differently. The Big "O" Boat is laid with fiberglass for maximum strength and durability. The hull is then affixed with transangular stringers, and then those stringers are foam filled for strength and flotation. The foam in the hull is entirely encased in fiberglass to keep them from absorbing moisture, and therefore keeping it dry, and the bottom of the hull smooth and clean.