When I decided to sell my 1992 Hunter 375 I was stunned at the surveyor's finding a water leakage under the starboard deck from the bow to the stern. The balsa core is saturated and the only fix is to have the entire starboard deck removed and the balsa core replaced. This will probably cost more than $10,000 plus transporting, off loading, etc. The leak probably came from an improperly secured deck to the hull during manufacturing of the boat. Hunter will not do anything for me as they claim they are only in the business of building and not repairing. The only sign I ever had of a leak was a slight trace of brown staining at the AC outlet on the starboard side in side the boat and behind the nav table against the bulkhead.My advice, check your boat carefully for any sign of a brown seepage inside before it spreads!
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Seems expensive....
Art: I must presume that you are going to go ahead and sell the boat! If you were going to keep it, you may be able to do a lot of this work yourself. You get a saw or a cutting tool and cut out the deck on a line near the non-skid. This will make panels that can be lifted out (to be reinstalled). Then you would replace the rotted material (if it is really rotten) or treat it with epoxy. Then you replace the panels and have them gel coated. I would think that something in the neighborhood of $3000-4000 would be more in-line for this type of job. I would shop around for quotes & ideas.
Art: I must presume that you are going to go ahead and sell the boat! If you were going to keep it, you may be able to do a lot of this work yourself. You get a saw or a cutting tool and cut out the deck on a line near the non-skid. This will make panels that can be lifted out (to be reinstalled). Then you would replace the rotted material (if it is really rotten) or treat it with epoxy. Then you replace the panels and have them gel coated. I would think that something in the neighborhood of $3000-4000 would be more in-line for this type of job. I would shop around for quotes & ideas.
Get Another Opinion
Art; Before I would panic I would get another opinion. On my previous boat a surveyor told me the deck was shot. After he ran the meter test he said the moisture level was real high and the deck didny have the correct resonance on tapping.. Totally erroneous info as it turned out. The test was done early in the morning when the deck was wet with dew . .it skewed the meter readings. The dull thud in the tapping test in some spots was a result of water incursion , but localized to two or three small patches around the chain plates, which was reaired by drilling and insertion of epoxy plugs. That cost $250.00. Second a brown stain which had appeared on an interior bulkhead came from a leaking freshwater line. If your 37.5 is like my 35.5 the hull to deck seam I beleive is covered by an outward turning flange, like a shoe box. Then the toe rail is bolted through. As a result water runs down the topsides like a shingle effect. Its possible water got in past the sealant but in my checking with other Legend owners prior to buying my boat last year, that was never brought up by any owner I checked with as a potential issue. Get a second opinion, not from a surveyor but from a fiberglas pro and check with other 37.5 owners on the Hunter web. Fred Miller s/v M Squared
Art; Before I would panic I would get another opinion. On my previous boat a surveyor told me the deck was shot. After he ran the meter test he said the moisture level was real high and the deck didny have the correct resonance on tapping.. Totally erroneous info as it turned out. The test was done early in the morning when the deck was wet with dew . .it skewed the meter readings. The dull thud in the tapping test in some spots was a result of water incursion , but localized to two or three small patches around the chain plates, which was reaired by drilling and insertion of epoxy plugs. That cost $250.00. Second a brown stain which had appeared on an interior bulkhead came from a leaking freshwater line. If your 37.5 is like my 35.5 the hull to deck seam I beleive is covered by an outward turning flange, like a shoe box. Then the toe rail is bolted through. As a result water runs down the topsides like a shingle effect. Its possible water got in past the sealant but in my checking with other Legend owners prior to buying my boat last year, that was never brought up by any owner I checked with as a potential issue. Get a second opinion, not from a surveyor but from a fiberglas pro and check with other 37.5 owners on the Hunter web. Fred Miller s/v M Squared
Don't Take His Opinion
Consider the other replies. First. Balsa coring does not saturate easily. It tends to remain localized. Second, its easy for the surveyor to make that call. They are not going to pay for it, and have an incentive to err on the side of a worst-case call. I agree, I would check with a top FG guy in the area first, and not a surveyor. Blow the deal and take your time, IMHO. Rick D.
Consider the other replies. First. Balsa coring does not saturate easily. It tends to remain localized. Second, its easy for the surveyor to make that call. They are not going to pay for it, and have an incentive to err on the side of a worst-case call. I agree, I would check with a top FG guy in the area first, and not a surveyor. Blow the deal and take your time, IMHO. Rick D.
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