Missing Styrofoam in bulkheads

[yzfr1]

Hello everyone. I am new hear and I have a question. I am looking at a 1980 MacGregor 22 to buy and the owner said the styrofoam is missing from the bulkheads.

This would be my first sailboat so I don't want to buy something that is going be a huge problem or mistake.

Will the missing styrofoam cause a lot of problems? Or any problem?

How hard would it be to replace the styrofoam? Is it expensive?

He is trying to sale it for a little under $2k.

NADA lists the value of this boat around $2,420. However, I would doubt it is in the condition to receive that much. I will be looking at it either tomorrow or the next day.

Any help would be much appreciated.

On another note, I hear a MacGregor is great boat and the community of owners is really great to be part of.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

most sailboats do not have any floatation (over 21').

you can replace the foam.. buy a 4x8' sheet of closed cell foam (insulation sheets in the big box )lowes/HD, and glue them together.

I think the cost is around 25/each. not sure how many cubic feet the stock v21 had...

 

[yzfr1]

most sailboats do not have any floatation (over 21').

you can replace the foam.. buy a 4x8' sheet of closed cell foam (insulation sheets in the big box )lowes/HD, and glue them together.

I think the cost is around 25/each. not sure how many cubic feet the stock v21 had...

Thanks for the reply.

Do you mean to say that most boats over 21' don't have floatation like foam?

Should the foam be replaced?

 

[Jim W -V21]

The foam is just there to keep the boat from sinking in case of an accident, it does not have anything to do with the boats ability to sail. It is fairly cheap & easy to replace. I have 2 V-21's one has all the foam , the other has had some of it taken out to make more room for storage. I would sail either boat.

Jim

 

[Robspan]

Macgregor put the foam in as a marketing tool. A lot of first time sailors bought Macs and the fact that the foam kept the boat from sinking made them feel safer.

However, a huge majority of sailboats don't have foam and would sink quickly if flooded. On a fiberglass boat, this is so unlikely that you shouldn't feel that the boat's unsafe without it. If, however, you feel safer with foam, then add some closed cell. As Jim said, a lack of foam doesn't affect the boat's sailing properties.

 

[yzfr1]

Thanks for your answers everyone. I knew some had foam but I had not heard of any being removed.

I wanted to make sure this wasn't going to be a big problem before I made an offer on this boat.

Thanks again.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I is easily fixable, and at low cost.

most boats over 21' sink if you drill a hole in them. Macgregor added some floatation to help keep them afloat. (& sometimes it works)

 

[Sailormandayton]

I for one feel it was more of a marketing gimick than anything practical that one should rely upon to keep afloat in a disaster. Sure in a "best case" scenerio maybe your cabin roof will still be above water on a calm day with flat water...but likely whatever conditions caused you to sink in the first place won't allow you to stand calmly on top of the sunken hull awaiting rescue. A mostly submerged boat in rough water is not a place you are going to want to be with rigging and debris threatening to snare you and take you under. My advice is don't worry about having some foam in your boat... invest in good safety gear like well fitting and properly rated life vest if you want to remain on top of the water... and if she sinks... abandon ship and get the heck away from it. I wish Macgregor hadn't put any foam in these boats... the little styro balls constantly breaking off and floating around the cabin are annoying!

 

[rgranger]

New Boat Advice

Hey YZFR

At $2K you can find a boat that is on a trailer, with good sails and a working outboard motor. Fiberglass boats are easy to repair, clean, paint and make nice. What will run you into money is buying or fixing a trailer, buying new sails or buying a new outboard motor. Look at those things more closely than the condition of the boat.

I actually like it when I find a boat that has been left out in the weather but the rigging and sails are in good shape. I gut the interior, pressure wash, paint and put in new bulkheads (I've done this three times now). Since the boat looked so bad, I get it at a great price. I paid $800 for the boat I have now. Came with 5 decent sails.

Good luck.

BTW. I replaced all of the foam in my boat with the pink boards you get at Home Depot. However, if your keel is locked down, and your boat took a 90 degree knockdown, you still would not get water in the boat (unless you leave the front hatch open and a big wave hits your bow). Your cockpit would have water but it would drain out once the boat rights itself. With the keel locked down, the boat would right itself so make sure you lock down the keel in heavy weather. Once the boat righted itself, you would only need to change your shorts and you'd be ready to sail on.

 

[yzfr1]

Hey YZFR

At $2K you can find a boat that is on a trailer, with good sails and a working outboard motor. Fiberglass boats are easy to repair, clean, paint and make nice. What will run you into money is buying or fixing a trailer, buying new sails or buying a new outboard motor. Look at those things more closely than the condition of the boat.

I actually like it when I find a boat that has been left out in the weather but the rigging and sails are in good shape. I gut the interior, pressure wash, paint and put in new bulkheads (I've done this three times now). Since the boat looked so bad, I get it at a great price. I paid $800 for the boat I have now. Came with 5 decent sails.

Wow.. I wish we were shopping in the same market (I am in Dallas).. lol.. I have been looking at this for a while. I do a lot of research before making any purchases on everything I buy. I have the same mind as you. I don't really care if the interior is in perfect condition or if the boat is dirty. I can always make that look nicer later. I am looking for something that is not going to cost me a lot of upfront money before I can get it on the water. The cosmetic stuff can be done at a later date and over time.

I have been reading a few books, "Fix it and Sail" and "Trailer Sailor". They seem to be quite informative on what to look for in regards to values of the boats. I recently turned down a 1972 Gulf Coast 18' because of the amount of work it would have taken it to get it sail worthy. Even if he only wanted $500 for it. I don't even think I would have take it if it was free (mast was bent, no running rigging, standard rigging was shot, rotted wood, spongy deck, standing water in the cabin, no windows...etc). It amazes me that people neglect their boats this much.

 

[rgranger]

YZFR

There are some websites that will let you do a global search of Craigslist (I think it is called Jaxed -- somebody help). Try looking in craigslist. And don't be afraid to drive a bit to save $1000. With this list serve, you can most likely find someone willing to give her a look over before you make the drive.

I've also found that September is the best time to buy, the number of boats on eBay shoots way up in the fall... and Spring/Summer is the worst time to buy.

 

[yzfr1]

YZFR

There are some websites that will let you do a global search of Craigslist (I think it is called Jaxed -- somebody help). Try looking in craigslist. And don't be afraid to drive a bit to save $1000. With this list serve, you can most likely find someone willing to give her a look over before you make the drive.

I've also found that September is the best time to buy, the number of boats on eBay shoots way up in the fall... and Spring/Summer is the worst time to buy.

Thanks for you help rgranger.

I have noticed this all too well. I was looking last fall and saw a lot of boats but didn't want to spend the money. Now it is becoming spring and I have the "bug" if you know what I mean.

I found several options on boats around my area and I have expanded. All of them found on craigslist. I found a site that allows multiple searches based on radius which helps a lot.

Today I will look at a 1980 22 MacGregor and I also have a 22 Catalina to look at.

There are some I found that seem to be great deals but are a bit far to drive, so if I had someone to look at them first that would work great.

I would like to add... Posting here was great idea. I post in a lot of tech forums (I am programmer/techie) and one does not get good advice so nicely.

Thanks.

 

[rgranger]

Now it is becoming spring and I have the "bug" if you know what I mean.

OH YEAH!

Hope you find the cure soon.

So I'd try posting to the All Sailors thread with a post title asking "Anyone live near ______

And would be willing to look over a boat for me"

Fill in the blank with the town of the boat your interested in.... explain that you don't want to drive that far for a tub.

I know I'd do it if I could.... one of my favorite things to do is bum around a marina looking at boats.... and I don't think I'm the only one with this affliction.

Fair winds,

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

If you DO decide to put styrofoam back in, once you have the pieces cut for what you think you need you can shrink wrap the pieces to prevent little chips of foam from getting all over everything in the bilge(wish I'd thought of it before I put mine in!).

 

[yzfr1]

If you DO decide to put styrofoam back in, once you have the pieces cut for what you think you need you can shrink wrap the pieces to prevent little chips of foam from getting all over everything in the bilge(wish I'd thought of it before I put mine in!).

Well, I didn't end up seeing this boat last night. I have an appointment to look at it today. If I decide to get it and also put foam back in... that is an excellent idea! Would make things a lot easier to deal with i am sure!