I was looking over a fin keel boat for sale last month and noticed a crack in the bilge. I decided not to buy it, but now the owner has piqued my interest again with a proposition that is $5000 less than before. The bilge area is about 4' long, 10" deep, and 10" at its widest. The crack goes across the front about 3" below the sole. When I asked the owner about it, he shrugged his shoulders and said that it wasn't a problem and that almost all fin keel boats have bilge cracks. Which may be true, as several boats that I've looked at do have cracks in the bilge area. My questions for all of you are: How big of a deal is this? Should I flat out reject this boat? Does it need to be fixed? How much should I expect it to cost? How many boats are happily sailing with bilge cracks? How many boats are reefs because of bilge cracks?
Crack in the bilge?
- Thread starter Jeff Bole
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I was looking over a fin keel boat for sale last month and noticed a crack in the bilge. I decided not to buy it, but now the owner has piqued my interest again with a proposition that is $5000 less than before. The bilge area is about 4' long, 10" deep, and 10" at its widest. The crack goes across the front about 3" below the sole. When I asked the owner about it, he shrugged his shoulders and said that it wasn't a problem and that almost all fin keel boats have bilge cracks. Which may be true, as several boats that I've looked at do have cracks in the bilge area. My questions for all of you are: How big of a deal is this? Should I flat out reject this boat? Does it need to be fixed? How much should I expect it to cost? How many boats are happily sailing with bilge cracks? How many boats are reefs because of bilge cracks?
Survey
I've seen lots of boats, including mine, that doesn't have cracks in the bilge and to me it would be a "problem", be it mine or one that I was looking at to buy. The crack could be the indicator of a major problem. Of course it's no big deal to him, he's trying to sell it, but it might be a big expensive deal to you if you buy it and find out that there needs to be an expensive repair, most anything can be repaired, but the question is can you afford it. There was some cause of the crack, possibly a hard grounding. There are a lot of white elephants out there my friend, buyer beware, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Get a survey before you commit yourself. Luck!
I've seen lots of boats, including mine, that doesn't have cracks in the bilge and to me it would be a "problem", be it mine or one that I was looking at to buy. The crack could be the indicator of a major problem. Of course it's no big deal to him, he's trying to sell it, but it might be a big expensive deal to you if you buy it and find out that there needs to be an expensive repair, most anything can be repaired, but the question is can you afford it. There was some cause of the crack, possibly a hard grounding. There are a lot of white elephants out there my friend, buyer beware, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Get a survey before you commit yourself. Luck!
Survey
I've seen lots of boats, including mine, that doesn't have cracks in the bilge and to me it would be a "problem", be it mine or one that I was looking at to buy. The crack could be the indicator of a major problem. Of course it's no big deal to him, he's trying to sell it, but it might be a big expensive deal to you if you buy it and find out that there needs to be an expensive repair, most anything can be repaired, but the question is can you afford it. There was some cause of the crack, possibly a hard grounding. There are a lot of white elephants out there my friend, buyer beware, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Get a survey before you commit yourself. Luck!
I've seen lots of boats, including mine, that doesn't have cracks in the bilge and to me it would be a "problem", be it mine or one that I was looking at to buy. The crack could be the indicator of a major problem. Of course it's no big deal to him, he's trying to sell it, but it might be a big expensive deal to you if you buy it and find out that there needs to be an expensive repair, most anything can be repaired, but the question is can you afford it. There was some cause of the crack, possibly a hard grounding. There are a lot of white elephants out there my friend, buyer beware, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Get a survey before you commit yourself. Luck!
Agree With JB
You should get a survey. It is true that a lot of boats have cracking as you describe, and much of it is non-structural. But, you definitely want to have someone inspect it. (Someone who knows what they are talking about.)
You should get a survey. It is true that a lot of boats have cracking as you describe, and much of it is non-structural. But, you definitely want to have someone inspect it. (Someone who knows what they are talking about.)
Agree With JB
You should get a survey. It is true that a lot of boats have cracking as you describe, and much of it is non-structural. But, you definitely want to have someone inspect it. (Someone who knows what they are talking about.)
You should get a survey. It is true that a lot of boats have cracking as you describe, and much of it is non-structural. But, you definitely want to have someone inspect it. (Someone who knows what they are talking about.)
I will eventually get a survey, maybe.
Thank you. I would definitely have it surveyed before purchasing it. I'm trying to get a feel for whether or not I should reject it because of the crack before spending any more time and money on it. Has anyone had a surveyor say anything about similar cracks in boats you were looking at? Does anyone have any experience with repairing them?
Thank you. I would definitely have it surveyed before purchasing it. I'm trying to get a feel for whether or not I should reject it because of the crack before spending any more time and money on it. Has anyone had a surveyor say anything about similar cracks in boats you were looking at? Does anyone have any experience with repairing them?
I will eventually get a survey, maybe.
Thank you. I would definitely have it surveyed before purchasing it. I'm trying to get a feel for whether or not I should reject it because of the crack before spending any more time and money on it. Has anyone had a surveyor say anything about similar cracks in boats you were looking at? Does anyone have any experience with repairing them?
Thank you. I would definitely have it surveyed before purchasing it. I'm trying to get a feel for whether or not I should reject it because of the crack before spending any more time and money on it. Has anyone had a surveyor say anything about similar cracks in boats you were looking at? Does anyone have any experience with repairing them?
Survey, Survey!
The course of seems fairly clear to me. If the final price is attractive and the boat is what you are looking for, get a surveyor to inspect the boat. The cracks could very well be nonstructural. If there is a problem, you will have the ammunition that you need for further negotiations or you can relax knowing that you got a bargain. Jon McClain
The course of seems fairly clear to me. If the final price is attractive and the boat is what you are looking for, get a surveyor to inspect the boat. The cracks could very well be nonstructural. If there is a problem, you will have the ammunition that you need for further negotiations or you can relax knowing that you got a bargain. Jon McClain
Survey, Survey!
The course of seems fairly clear to me. If the final price is attractive and the boat is what you are looking for, get a surveyor to inspect the boat. The cracks could very well be nonstructural. If there is a problem, you will have the ammunition that you need for further negotiations or you can relax knowing that you got a bargain. Jon McClain
The course of seems fairly clear to me. If the final price is attractive and the boat is what you are looking for, get a surveyor to inspect the boat. The cracks could very well be nonstructural. If there is a problem, you will have the ammunition that you need for further negotiations or you can relax knowing that you got a bargain. Jon McClain
Survey--Do IT
I would get the survey. If the owner came back and cut the price $5K without negotations then he sounds like he is try to get the sale. IF he is that anxious to sell the problem may be worse than it appears. Second most insurance companies require a survey if the boat is older just to cover it. So you may pay now for the survey or pay later for the survey and possible hidden damage.
I would get the survey. If the owner came back and cut the price $5K without negotations then he sounds like he is try to get the sale. IF he is that anxious to sell the problem may be worse than it appears. Second most insurance companies require a survey if the boat is older just to cover it. So you may pay now for the survey or pay later for the survey and possible hidden damage.
Survey--Do IT
I would get the survey. If the owner came back and cut the price $5K without negotations then he sounds like he is try to get the sale. IF he is that anxious to sell the problem may be worse than it appears. Second most insurance companies require a survey if the boat is older just to cover it. So you may pay now for the survey or pay later for the survey and possible hidden damage.
I would get the survey. If the owner came back and cut the price $5K without negotations then he sounds like he is try to get the sale. IF he is that anxious to sell the problem may be worse than it appears. Second most insurance companies require a survey if the boat is older just to cover it. So you may pay now for the survey or pay later for the survey and possible hidden damage.
To Be More Specific, Jeff
I had a crack develop after I had the keel re-tightened. Seems the inner liner just cracked from the added torque. Wasn't a big deal. I have seen others the same. However, it is something you want competent advice from. It is hard to tell from the description, but I would not reject it out of hand. RD
I had a crack develop after I had the keel re-tightened. Seems the inner liner just cracked from the added torque. Wasn't a big deal. I have seen others the same. However, it is something you want competent advice from. It is hard to tell from the description, but I would not reject it out of hand. RD
To Be More Specific, Jeff
I had a crack develop after I had the keel re-tightened. Seems the inner liner just cracked from the added torque. Wasn't a big deal. I have seen others the same. However, it is something you want competent advice from. It is hard to tell from the description, but I would not reject it out of hand. RD
I had a crack develop after I had the keel re-tightened. Seems the inner liner just cracked from the added torque. Wasn't a big deal. I have seen others the same. However, it is something you want competent advice from. It is hard to tell from the description, but I would not reject it out of hand. RD
What boat?
What kind of boat is it? Are you sure the Crack in not in the hull liner? A lot of Hunters have a hull liner in the bilge and I have seen cracks in this area of the hull liner. In older hunters without the hull liner this can be caused by the hull becoming weak from lots of blisters, then is is set on the keel causing the bottom to flex. I saw this on a 79 H-30 where the bilge area walls where cracked and you could see fine cracks on the outside of the hull radiating from the keel.
What kind of boat is it? Are you sure the Crack in not in the hull liner? A lot of Hunters have a hull liner in the bilge and I have seen cracks in this area of the hull liner. In older hunters without the hull liner this can be caused by the hull becoming weak from lots of blisters, then is is set on the keel causing the bottom to flex. I saw this on a 79 H-30 where the bilge area walls where cracked and you could see fine cracks on the outside of the hull radiating from the keel.
What boat?
What kind of boat is it? Are you sure the Crack in not in the hull liner? A lot of Hunters have a hull liner in the bilge and I have seen cracks in this area of the hull liner. In older hunters without the hull liner this can be caused by the hull becoming weak from lots of blisters, then is is set on the keel causing the bottom to flex. I saw this on a 79 H-30 where the bilge area walls where cracked and you could see fine cracks on the outside of the hull radiating from the keel.
What kind of boat is it? Are you sure the Crack in not in the hull liner? A lot of Hunters have a hull liner in the bilge and I have seen cracks in this area of the hull liner. In older hunters without the hull liner this can be caused by the hull becoming weak from lots of blisters, then is is set on the keel causing the bottom to flex. I saw this on a 79 H-30 where the bilge area walls where cracked and you could see fine cracks on the outside of the hull radiating from the keel.
It's a C&C and it was run aground
It's a 36' C&C from the 80's. The surface of the glass is rough, so I'm assuming that it is the actual hull that I'm looking at. (All of the hull liners that I have seen were done on a male mold resulting in a gelcoated surface being visible from above.) The owner has admitted that he bought it from a guy who had run it onto a sandy beach under sail and power. According to the story, it turned into a coast guard rescue when the captain, who was drunk, fell into the light surf. I'm thinking, again, that I ought to reject this boat. It seems likely that the crack goes all the way through and I can imagine that the cost to fix it properly would be exhorbitant. Though it'll probably be able to sail just fine this way under normal circumstances, I wouldn't want it under me while sailing offshore. I can just imagine it splitting wide open after I hit a log, container, or whale. How many times has your boat gone 'bump' in the night? I've had it happen twice with no apparent explanation, and have been very thankful to have had a solid boat. Thank you all for your advice.
It's a 36' C&C from the 80's. The surface of the glass is rough, so I'm assuming that it is the actual hull that I'm looking at. (All of the hull liners that I have seen were done on a male mold resulting in a gelcoated surface being visible from above.) The owner has admitted that he bought it from a guy who had run it onto a sandy beach under sail and power. According to the story, it turned into a coast guard rescue when the captain, who was drunk, fell into the light surf. I'm thinking, again, that I ought to reject this boat. It seems likely that the crack goes all the way through and I can imagine that the cost to fix it properly would be exhorbitant. Though it'll probably be able to sail just fine this way under normal circumstances, I wouldn't want it under me while sailing offshore. I can just imagine it splitting wide open after I hit a log, container, or whale. How many times has your boat gone 'bump' in the night? I've had it happen twice with no apparent explanation, and have been very thankful to have had a solid boat. Thank you all for your advice.
Just Curious?
Jeff, did the guy confess to the boat being slammed into the beach on the front end of your conversation or did you confront him with the question?
Jeff, did the guy confess to the boat being slammed into the beach on the front end of your conversation or did you confront him with the question?
Just Curious?
Jeff, did the guy confess to the boat being slammed into the beach on the front end of your conversation or did you confront him with the question?
Jeff, did the guy confess to the boat being slammed into the beach on the front end of your conversation or did you confront him with the question?
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