1988 Beneteau 28 general questions

[joe-fran]

Hi all

Am looking at a 1988 Beneteau 285 for purchase.
Overall, the boat is in good condition except for 2 issues and one (BIG) concern.

1. The interior vinyl.

In almost all interior locations, the vinyl has (or is beginning to) pull away or separate from the hull. The liner is a vinyl material with a 1/8 inch of a thin foam backing. The foam appears to have just dried up over the years and the glue is failing. Any comments on corrective action and costs are appreciated.

2. Excess buildup of bottom paint. The bottom paint needs to be stripped and re-done with a barrier coat of paint and new bottom paint.
Any comments of best method (soda blast vs crushed walnut shells vs chemical vs ???) and costs.

CONCERN - I read that the winged keels are cast iron and have rust issues. True???? IF so it's a deal breaker for me.:cry:

 

[Jackdaw]

Lots of European boats have iron keels, the 285 being one of them. Its a bother now and then, but not a deal breaker for most. But you're the one buying!

Ah, the headline FAIL. I documented this pretty well a few years ago. Watch here.

http://messingaboutintheboat.blogspot.com/2010/04/headliner-replacement.html

 

[NiceBeny]

Hi all Am looking at a 1988 Beneteau 285 for purchase. Overall, the boat is in good condition except for 2 issues and one (BIG) concern. 1. The interior vinyl. In almost all interior locations, the vinyl has (or is beginning to) pull away or separate from the hull. The liner is a vinyl material with a 1/8 inch of a thin foam backing. The foam appears to have just dried up over the years and the glue is failing. Any comments on corrective action and costs are appreciated. 2. Excess buildup of bottom paint. The bottom paint needs to be stripped and re-done with a barrier coat of paint and new bottom paint. Any comments of best method (soda blast vs crushed walnut shells vs chemical vs ???) and costs. CONCERN - I read that the winged keels are cast iron and have rust issues. True???? IF so it's a deal breaker for me.:cry:

Yes they do, mine gets some rust between bottom jobs

 

[SoSound]

CONCERN - I read that the winged keels are cast iron and have rust issues. True???? IF so it's a deal breaker for me.:cry:

The keel on our 285 had never been properly addressed until last season. The two most costly parts of the project were the time involved in stripping it to bare metal, and waiting for the barrier coat to cure. But if you are going to strip previous coats of bottom paint anyway, it may be the perfect time to do the keel as well. If you're doing the work yourself, don't get me wrong; it's not a minor job!

When we had our keel done last spring, it definitely added to the cost of the bottom paint job, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker. Especially if it's currently in reasonable condition!

Dave

 

[joe-fran]

Thanks for the input from all of you. The cast iron just scares me too much and I will pass on this boat.
I had a nice Ericson 28 for several years that met with an unfortunate demise last fall and I am just too old (just another annual physical away from 70) to be considering a possible big project.

Have a great sailing season!!!!!