I am looking at buying a boat that has a seperation of the fiberglass in the floor of the cockpit. From underneith it appears solid but when you walk on it in the cockpit it sounds (pops and crackles) like there is a 1/8 to 1/4 inch space in the floor. Has any one ever had this problem and how can it be repaired? Also the connection where the mast light connects on the deck is missing and there is a half dollar size hole in the gel-coat. Can't tell if there is any damage there. I am buying the boat as a fixer upper but don't want to bite off something that can be expensive (or outside my ability to repair). Your comments would be appreciated.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dale I
Snap, Crackle, Pop..ain't cereal under your feet
If your inexperienced ears can detect delamination it'd be either run from the boat or get it surveyed by a pro. There are any number of online sources for educating yourself regarding fiberglass repair....the archives here is a good start... If you believe owning ANY boat is other than expensive...think again. I've found that its about a '3-factor',....3x as long and 3x as expensive as I think it should be for any project on mine.
If your inexperienced ears can detect delamination it'd be either run from the boat or get it surveyed by a pro. There are any number of online sources for educating yourself regarding fiberglass repair....the archives here is a good start... If you believe owning ANY boat is other than expensive...think again. I've found that its about a '3-factor',....3x as long and 3x as expensive as I think it should be for any project on mine.
B
Bob
Are you ouside your ability???
Hi Bruce, If you have to ask if you are taking on something you shouldn't - you shouldn't without having a Surveyor (expert) tell you the scope of work required. I have made repairs to both decks and cockpit floors that have stood the test of time. Not difficult especially if the repair is not structually critical. A surveyor can tell you if required repairs are critical and if so - look for another fix up. You might not want to spend the money for the survey but you risk spending money - making a big costly repair if all that's needed is a cosmetic repair. You could also start the fix up and find out defects are beyond your ability. Good Luck, Bob
Hi Bruce, If you have to ask if you are taking on something you shouldn't - you shouldn't without having a Surveyor (expert) tell you the scope of work required. I have made repairs to both decks and cockpit floors that have stood the test of time. Not difficult especially if the repair is not structually critical. A surveyor can tell you if required repairs are critical and if so - look for another fix up. You might not want to spend the money for the survey but you risk spending money - making a big costly repair if all that's needed is a cosmetic repair. You could also start the fix up and find out defects are beyond your ability. Good Luck, Bob
R
Rob
I agree get it surveyed
I agree with Dale,,,,,get it surveyed.... A good survey can save you lots of $ and will guide you away from making a bad decision. Besides if you are going to insure it it may be mandatory to survey before they will insure.. check out thesurveyors list attached link: "BOAT US" Or go to Amazon.com and look for : "Inspecting the aging sailboat" By: Don Casey. Or "Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step by step guide for buyers and owners" by: Henry C. Mustin these should be helpfull.....what ever you do do not rush..get educated,before you make your decision.
I agree with Dale,,,,,get it surveyed.... A good survey can save you lots of $ and will guide you away from making a bad decision. Besides if you are going to insure it it may be mandatory to survey before they will insure.. check out thesurveyors list attached link: "BOAT US" Or go to Amazon.com and look for : "Inspecting the aging sailboat" By: Don Casey. Or "Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step by step guide for buyers and owners" by: Henry C. Mustin these should be helpfull.....what ever you do do not rush..get educated,before you make your decision.
R
Rob
I agree get it surveyed
I agree with Dale,,,,,get it surveyed.... A good survey can save you lots of $ and will guide you away from making a bad decision. Besides if you are going to insure it it may be mandatory to survey before they will insure.. check out thesurveyors list attached link: "BOAT US" Or go to Amazon.com and look for : "Inspecting the aging sailboat" By: Don Casey. Or "Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step by step guide for buyers and owners" by: Henry C. Mustin these should be helpfull.....what ever you do do not rush..get educated,before you make your decision.
I agree with Dale,,,,,get it surveyed.... A good survey can save you lots of $ and will guide you away from making a bad decision. Besides if you are going to insure it it may be mandatory to survey before they will insure.. check out thesurveyors list attached link: "BOAT US" Or go to Amazon.com and look for : "Inspecting the aging sailboat" By: Don Casey. Or "Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step by step guide for buyers and owners" by: Henry C. Mustin these should be helpfull.....what ever you do do not rush..get educated,before you make your decision.
J
Jeff
Be Realistic
I think some of the comments are a bit overzealous. You didn't say what boat and the asking price. You did say that it was going to be a fixer upper. Given these parameters, I think it could be a very viable option for you. A cockpit floor delamination is pretty common, with the most common cause coming from the pedestal bolts or pedestal guard bolts. I think it is a good chance that the floor is pretty well isolated from the rest of the boat so it is a fairly easy fix to take out the snap crackel and pop by cutting out the top layer of fiberglass, (about 1/8 in.)floor with a circular saw (try and only cut on the smooth portion of the foor along the sides)and replacing the plywood core covered with fiberglass cloth. . Replace the floor using a lot of epoxy and weights on top ( batteries are good). The biggest problem is cosmetic repair to the gelcoat. If it is a fixer upper, then you may have been considering painting the boat anyway so that issue may be moot. Sure I would I would get a surveyor but before you run, get a price to fix the problem and negotiate with the seller. If you use your own elbow grease, the fix will cost you less than $75.00.
I think some of the comments are a bit overzealous. You didn't say what boat and the asking price. You did say that it was going to be a fixer upper. Given these parameters, I think it could be a very viable option for you. A cockpit floor delamination is pretty common, with the most common cause coming from the pedestal bolts or pedestal guard bolts. I think it is a good chance that the floor is pretty well isolated from the rest of the boat so it is a fairly easy fix to take out the snap crackel and pop by cutting out the top layer of fiberglass, (about 1/8 in.)floor with a circular saw (try and only cut on the smooth portion of the foor along the sides)and replacing the plywood core covered with fiberglass cloth. . Replace the floor using a lot of epoxy and weights on top ( batteries are good). The biggest problem is cosmetic repair to the gelcoat. If it is a fixer upper, then you may have been considering painting the boat anyway so that issue may be moot. Sure I would I would get a surveyor but before you run, get a price to fix the problem and negotiate with the seller. If you use your own elbow grease, the fix will cost you less than $75.00.
B
Bruce Trotter
Thanks to everyone who responded
You have given me some good information. I will proceed with caution and keep price in mind. The price is good enough that I am tempted to take a chance. I will contact a surveyor anyway for their price to look at the boat. Thanks again for your input !
You have given me some good information. I will proceed with caution and keep price in mind. The price is good enough that I am tempted to take a chance. I will contact a surveyor anyway for their price to look at the boat. Thanks again for your input !
J
john
go for it
I agree with Jeff. This can be easily remedied if you are handy. I have used a thin angle grinder blade (cutter) and cut the floor out. after replacing the section with plywood and using epoxy...fair out your fiberglass work and paint the cockpit floor sections with one of the non-skid paints. Practical sailor just gave very high marks to the West brand.
I agree with Jeff. This can be easily remedied if you are handy. I have used a thin angle grinder blade (cutter) and cut the floor out. after replacing the section with plywood and using epoxy...fair out your fiberglass work and paint the cockpit floor sections with one of the non-skid paints. Practical sailor just gave very high marks to the West brand.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.