I thought I had purchased a 34’ O-Day, but the survey revealed the deck was about as water soaked as a kitchen sponge. The estimated repairs were from $4000.00 to $12,000.00 depending on whether or not I wanted an awlgrip deck repaint after repairs or be content looking at epoxy filled holes drilled on one inch centers all over the deck. What a choice. The really sad part of this is that this is the 5th survey I have looked at for a perspective boat that had major water intrusion into the deck or hull. The 1st boat I looked at, a J22, had so much water in the hull that it had fractured the hull last winter by freezing. I did not pay for all these surveys, the owners had either had a survey done or bought one from a perspective buyer that decided against the purchase. I did pay for the O’Day survey. The question I am asking here is am I having a run of bad luck or is water intrusion into cored hulls and decks on older boats a certainty? Sigh!
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probably yes -generalities are usually not a good
idea particularly regarding boats where so much of this has to do with maintenance and build construction. Certainly, the less expensive boats can be more prone to moisture problems but that too is a generality... There are so many used boats out there that it may not be worth buying one which will require substantial repair, if only for the fact that you lose lots of time you could otherwise have sailing instead of fixing. However, if you do find one which requires extensive deck repair, it might be worth it economically to spend the winter striping the deck completely which isn't as big a project as it might appear.
idea particularly regarding boats where so much of this has to do with maintenance and build construction. Certainly, the less expensive boats can be more prone to moisture problems but that too is a generality... There are so many used boats out there that it may not be worth buying one which will require substantial repair, if only for the fact that you lose lots of time you could otherwise have sailing instead of fixing. However, if you do find one which requires extensive deck repair, it might be worth it economically to spend the winter striping the deck completely which isn't as big a project as it might appear.
Water soaked hulls
Its a sad but true fact that most boats built in the last 15 years or so have balsa cored decks mainly to save weight. Unfortunately when balsa gets wet it loses its stiffness and becomes very spongy. Unless the owner of the boat removed and rebedded all the deck fittings and tracks every 3 years, your going to have a spongy deck. You have two options: 1 get enough of a price reduction about $4000 so you can have the deck repaired. Than you can paint it with epoxy paint. Its a lot easier than painting a hull. 2 buy an older well built boat like a pearson or bristol. These boats have plywood decks there still going to leak but the fiberglass layup is much heavier and the wet plywood is a lot stiffer than balsa when wet. Its still a good Idea to re bed every 3 years or so with 3m 4200. Its not that big of a job. I have a 75 Pearson 26w with a plywood deck Ive owned it about 7 years and re bedded most of the deck hardware but im sure there is water in the deck there has to be after 32 years. but I dont notice it because the deck layup is solid enough. Bob
Its a sad but true fact that most boats built in the last 15 years or so have balsa cored decks mainly to save weight. Unfortunately when balsa gets wet it loses its stiffness and becomes very spongy. Unless the owner of the boat removed and rebedded all the deck fittings and tracks every 3 years, your going to have a spongy deck. You have two options: 1 get enough of a price reduction about $4000 so you can have the deck repaired. Than you can paint it with epoxy paint. Its a lot easier than painting a hull. 2 buy an older well built boat like a pearson or bristol. These boats have plywood decks there still going to leak but the fiberglass layup is much heavier and the wet plywood is a lot stiffer than balsa when wet. Its still a good Idea to re bed every 3 years or so with 3m 4200. Its not that big of a job. I have a 75 Pearson 26w with a plywood deck Ive owned it about 7 years and re bedded most of the deck hardware but im sure there is water in the deck there has to be after 32 years. but I dont notice it because the deck layup is solid enough. Bob
It's the chainplates, bobo 
Don nailed it, it's the amount of maintenance or lack thereof by POs. I don't like water inside my boat, so when I find some I find the leak and fix it. In some cases I actually do it before it leaks. Yikes! Some don't seem to care, or even know about their issues. Sometimes that's why they're selling the boat.
Don nailed it, it's the amount of maintenance or lack thereof by POs. I don't like water inside my boat, so when I find some I find the leak and fix it. In some cases I actually do it before it leaks. Yikes! Some don't seem to care, or even know about their issues. Sometimes that's why they're selling the boat.
Common Problem
When I was shopping 3 seasons ago at least half the boats (1983-1990 era) had some degreee of deck delamination. I ended up purchasing a 1985 Hunter 31 that had soft wet deck from the pmp out deck fitting back to the shroud attachment point, aprrox 5 feet of deck. I was reluctant at first but my surveyor told me that this wasn"t that major of a problem in comparison to other vessel of that era. After negotiating with the purchaser we settled on a fair deduction and I made the purchase. Not having had any previous epoxy or deck repair experience I decided to attempt the repair myself. It was easier and came out better than I expected for a quarter of the deduct price. AS the other responses state the key is to go through and rebbed the entire deck. Stop the water from getting in!
When I was shopping 3 seasons ago at least half the boats (1983-1990 era) had some degreee of deck delamination. I ended up purchasing a 1985 Hunter 31 that had soft wet deck from the pmp out deck fitting back to the shroud attachment point, aprrox 5 feet of deck. I was reluctant at first but my surveyor told me that this wasn"t that major of a problem in comparison to other vessel of that era. After negotiating with the purchaser we settled on a fair deduction and I made the purchase. Not having had any previous epoxy or deck repair experience I decided to attempt the repair myself. It was easier and came out better than I expected for a quarter of the deduct price. AS the other responses state the key is to go through and rebbed the entire deck. Stop the water from getting in!
Easy fix
Buy yourself a JR Overseas moisture meter, learn how to use it, and when you go to look at boats bring your meter and go over the entoire deck especially around stanchions, cleats, chain plates and basically anywhere there is a hole drilled through the deck for a fitting! I won't look at a boat without my meter. Unfortunately I dropped it off of a boat this winter and it has been sent back for repair. The first wet deck you find the meter will have paid for its self. Oh and try and stay away from a cored hull, below the waterline, that can get very, very expensive... Here's the link for the GRP-33
Buy yourself a JR Overseas moisture meter, learn how to use it, and when you go to look at boats bring your meter and go over the entoire deck especially around stanchions, cleats, chain plates and basically anywhere there is a hole drilled through the deck for a fitting! I won't look at a boat without my meter. Unfortunately I dropped it off of a boat this winter and it has been sent back for repair. The first wet deck you find the meter will have paid for its self. Oh and try and stay away from a cored hull, below the waterline, that can get very, very expensive... Here's the link for the GRP-33
Price and Condition
Hello, Are you looking at really cheap boats? If so, there is a reason they are cheap. In 2004 I bought a 1986 Newport 28. Last November I bought a 1986 O'day 35. Neither had any significant deck problems (and no hull problems because they have solid hulls). I looked at a lot of boats and detected very few problems. I was paying average prices, not high for the model or year, but not real low either. I believe that just about any boat built in the 80s will have a cored deck. It doesn't really matter who built the boat, it matters how the boat has been maintained. I have seen Tartan and Pearson with soggy, rotten decks. I have seen Catalina and Hunter with nice dry decks. When you are looking at the boat, well before you even think of getting the boat surveyed, check for soggy decks by walking all over the boat. Pay attention for soft spots, creaking, that sort of thing. Good luck, Barry
Hello, Are you looking at really cheap boats? If so, there is a reason they are cheap. In 2004 I bought a 1986 Newport 28. Last November I bought a 1986 O'day 35. Neither had any significant deck problems (and no hull problems because they have solid hulls). I looked at a lot of boats and detected very few problems. I was paying average prices, not high for the model or year, but not real low either. I believe that just about any boat built in the 80s will have a cored deck. It doesn't really matter who built the boat, it matters how the boat has been maintained. I have seen Tartan and Pearson with soggy, rotten decks. I have seen Catalina and Hunter with nice dry decks. When you are looking at the boat, well before you even think of getting the boat surveyed, check for soggy decks by walking all over the boat. Pay attention for soft spots, creaking, that sort of thing. Good luck, Barry
Surveyors in Eastern Mass.
Has anybody used the services of a marine surveyor in eastern Mass. that they would recommend? My brother is in the merchant marine and suggested that it might be wise to have my 34 year old boat evaluated. I'd also be interested in hearing about the experiences that folks have encountered, good and bad. Thanks in advance. Deebee
Has anybody used the services of a marine surveyor in eastern Mass. that they would recommend? My brother is in the merchant marine and suggested that it might be wise to have my 34 year old boat evaluated. I'd also be interested in hearing about the experiences that folks have encountered, good and bad. Thanks in advance. Deebee
eastern Mass surveyor
Deebee, I've used Donald Pray for a couple of insurance surveys on my H410 here in Weymouth. been very happy with his work. his contact info is Work: 781-335-3033 Fax: 781-331-0607 Mobile: 781-258-5689 Work Address: P.O. Box 66 Weymouth, MA 02190 good luck Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Deebee, I've used Donald Pray for a couple of insurance surveys on my H410 here in Weymouth. been very happy with his work. his contact info is Work: 781-335-3033 Fax: 781-331-0607 Mobile: 781-258-5689 Work Address: P.O. Box 66 Weymouth, MA 02190 good luck Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
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