hull strength question

[David Bradford]

I have a question for the collective wisdom of the board. I'm looking at a 1979 O'Day 28, and I noticed that the hull is not perfectly fair all along it's length. About mid-ships (on the port side, but I could not see the starboard side) there is an area were the hull "dips in" a little. Actually, it could be an area that is slightly proud - maybe a bulkhead is behind it - and only makes the surrounding area appear to dip in. I would say we're talking about 1/4" out of fair over about a 1'1/2 - 2 foot area. So, does this indicate the hull is not thick enough, or at least stiff enough? Or, is this the sort of thing you see on a 20+ year old boat, and I should not infer anything one way or the other? Otherwise, the boat seems like it's in fine shape, other than a couple of spots where the deck is soft - but those are literally only 4 inches or so in diameter.

 

[Don Flowers]

suryver

You can't beat the advice of a good suryver. Find one with a good reputation, and usually his word can be trusted. It would be a waste to let something come between you and a good sailboat. It may be nothing, or it could be serious. If nothing else, you will have no lingering regrets. (Should I, or shouldn't I.) Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.

 

[Charlie Gruetzner]

Surveyor is good advice

I have to agree with Don. You need to get a good surveyor to go over the boat. I would be very concerned about the two issues that you mentioned. I would look for a surveyor that is affiliated with a nationally recognized marine survey association. While a good surveyor is not inexpensive it is not nearly as expensive as finiding out you have extensive repairs to do on the boat. I would also look for someone independent of a yacht broker.Good luck - Charlie Gruetzner

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com]

Fair hull

You're right that boats of this quality and age are not perfectly fair the whole length. The bulkhead is the most likely culprit for the slight bulge but that doesn't mean it's not "seaworthy" - it just depends on what your definition of seaworthy is. These boat weren't built to sail around Cape Horn so they're of lighter construction. That doesn't mean they're bad. I'd be MUCH more concerned about the soft deck than the hull. If you're seriously considering this boat, it's worth a few hundred bucks to get a surveyor to give it a clean bill of health. Either that or he'll tell you to run away and *that* will save you THOUSANDS!LaDonna

 

[Kevin]

You want to do some work before paying a surveyor

David, None of us want to spend the time and money on surveyors unless we are 100% certain we have found the right boat. You don't say if the problem is in the topside or bottom of the hull where more extensive repairs could be hidden under layers of bottom paint. 1/4 inch does sound like a problem.I'd try to check the interior of the hull to see if there are signs of repairs in that area, or to confirm your suspicions of a bulkhead.But I'd do this before calling in the surveyor.Kevin

 

[Don Evans]

This Sounds Familiar

David, if you go to the O'Day archives, there will be other posts on this phenomenon. Other 28 owners have reported this hull deflection, although no one to my knowledge feels it has detrimentally affected their vessel. It is possible that the edge of the bulkhead is "proud", and that a lack of stiffness beyond, and aft of this area has allowed this area to appear to be "unfair". It could be further enhanced by support pads pushing into the boat when the boat was on the hard. I don't know why this seems to be reported more in the 28 than other O'Days. As I said most owners I have read think highly of their boats. You will probably survey the boat anyways, so hear what the surveyor has to say.Don