Another American

[Tom Hoffman]

Today an interesting thing happened. I have a neighbor and friend who has decided that he too, would like to buy a trailer cruiser. I had taken the day off form working in the shop and decided to do some surfing, looking for possible boats.

In the Joplin, Mo. Craig's list was another American Mariner Sailboat listed for sale, it is a 25' Looks identical to mine. I think it is really a 26' as I see no 25's listed on the owners web site.

Here is the issue that I found out about the boat upon talking to the seller today.

It seems that there is a wrinkle in the hull just behind the keel that goes up into the cabin area very shallow, but noticeable. On my boat there is no such wrinkle.

I would kind of like to know if this is evidence of major structural damage or just a flaw in the fiberglass lay up that would have no untoward effect on the boat.

I really don't want to drive 6 hours with my friend only to find out that the keel will fall out the first time she is put into the water.

The keel is lead molded into the hull at time of manufacture and there is no keel joint, it is completely encased in fiberglass on all sides, top and bottom.

What say you all. Should this boat be a pass and keep looking? Other than this, it seems to look like a nice boat. Just needs some clean up and tlc.

For those of you not aware of the American, here is a link to Pictures of mine.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/576734303qkPIkj

http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2593447790070055750RhuRuC

I will be interested to hear your thoughts.

Tom...

 

[kloudie1]

Ohhhh red flags up !! Without pictures, Tom folks are going to have a tough time generating meaningful comments. Sounds like the kind of damage that might happen if the boat were on a trailer and the cockpit filled with water, causing the keel to push into the hull.. I'd be passing on that one not knowing any further detail on location and depth and length of the wrinkle..

 

[Tom Hoffman]

The owner tells me that he is going down to the boat to show it to several prospective buyers today. He told me that he would take more pictures of the area and email them to me, however your explanation sounds like a very good diagnosis. I was trying to think of how this could have happened and your idea sounds reasonable.

My boat had a huge amount of ice in her cockpit when I bought it, but it was only in there for a short few months and only once, not year after year.

Here are the pics that were sent to me by the seller yesterday, none show the affected place on the hull.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/579824382WkBjHg

 

[watercolors II]

Another possibility

Hitting something with the keel at high speed would force the keel back and up at it’s tail end thus flexing the hull right at the rear edge of the keel.