Need Advice

[grtsct]

I am looking at a S2 9.2C that I would like to buy, I know the boat needs some work but I feel that I would be able to do a large majority of it on my own. However there are a couple of things that I see with the boat that im not sure about such as small cracks below the water line going threw the bottom paint and what appears to be the gel coat as well as water intrusion just behind the v-birth wall that doesn't seem to be coming from the mast area and im not sure it is coming from the windows. I have posted some pictures at the link below please have a look and let me know what you think I need all the advice that I can get.

 

[patrscoe]

In reference to the cracking below the waterline, it may be stress cracks developing through the gelcoat. It is uncommon to see structural cracking below the waterline besides your typical flexing of the hull. If purchased, I would remove all the bottom paint for further investigation and you will most likely see more stress (flex) cracking. If so, you will need to remove the gelcoat via sanding or soda blasting, and provide repairs, several epoxy barrier coats and new bottom paint. Sounds like a lot of work because it is... Unfortunately I know first hand. If left alone, it will cause delamination.

Water penetration above the waterline is very common in sailboats that are not used or maintain. I am sure it is due for rebedding of handrails, hardware, etc...
Check for softspots and gelcoat quality and more stress / flex cracking.

Are you planning to have a survey performed?
If not, Don Casey has an excellent book on self-surveying, really good information.

Good luck!

 

[Bron]

Hmmm. Those do not look like typical gelcoat stress cracks to me. Most gelcoat cracks I've seen are caused by an impact causing the gelcoat to get fine spider-web cracks going outward from the point of impact. If not caused by an impact, then it's more likely to be a void in the grp, or something like that (freeze thaw crack from trapped mositure, who knows what??? They almost look like they are weeping. If so, then there may be a lot of moisture in the glass layup. Not a good thing. The only way to know for sure is to measure moisture content with a mositure meter; or tape a square of plastic over the cracks sealing all edges to capure mositure (just an inch or so beyond the crack). If water condensate appears inside the plastic, you know it came from the crack. If so, beware.

On the interior, from the staining on the headliner, and staining on the main bulkhead, it looks like long term leaking. (You typically don't get staining from a one or two time drip.) The green hue on the teak plywood tells me the boat was probably closed up for some time without good ventilation.

I'd get it surveyed or have someone who knows boats look at it.

Look at what similar boats list for. If you were to negoatiate a deal at 60% or 75% of asking price, how would that boat compare. If it's real cheap, there is probably a reason. If in the same ballpark, look at some others, then make your decision.

 

[grtsct]

Thanks for the advise. The boat is located in a boat yard where they do all kinds of different work on sailboats and I am hoping that I can get someone there to have a look at the cracks and see what they suggest. The asking price is $22,000 but I feel I could get it for around $10,000. If I could put another $5,000-$7,000 in it for repairs and have a nice boat then I would consider it. I have added some more photos of the boat especially the hull and water leak areas would love to get as many opinions on it as possible. Thanks.

 

[bugbitten]

I'm not getting a good vibe from this boat. Have you looked at a lot of them? Here in the Chesapeake Bay area prices are still softening, and there's no way any reasonable person would put this 9.2C on the market at 20K. There's one in the water locally that's been used but not abused as a live aboard on the market at 15, and they've admitted to being flexible at that point. If this had anything major going for it, like all new sails and rigging, or a new engine, or Scarlett Johannson was servicing the brightwork, I could see it. Of course, if it tugs at the heart strings, you may not have any choice. But it does surely scream "survey me!" Have you run the engine? Looked at its fluids? Tested the electricals? Water system? Bilge pump(s)? Head? Will the yard let you keep it there while you work on it? How's it smell below decks? If there's a major mildew issue, getting it and its smell out of all that fuzz, without replacing everything, ain't easy. Anyone else you have to make happy with this purchase? How's that person feel about it?

In case you haven't guessed, I'm a professional-grade newbie. My 9.2A is my first boat and, if my wife has anything to say about it, my last. It was in decent shape when I bought it, at a pretty decent price. I've sailed it nearly the length of the Chesapeake, have it in the water 3/4ths of a mile from the house, and I'm spending my available free time replacing and repairing bits on it, most of it long overdue. I'm having great fun doing that, but then I've been able to sleep aboard it without my eyes swelling shut or my having nightmares about imminent hull failure.

Do you know how long the boat's been on the market? Any paperwork you can rummage through to see what sort of care it had or when it was last used?

Tell us exactly where you're located. Maybe there's a list member who's in the area and could look at the boat with you, or at least help you find a good surveyor. I know it's tough to spend that money, when it could go for a shiny new chartplotter or some mold-free cushions, but, in addition to all the info you'd glean, it'd help in the bargaining process. Is this, perchance, yard owned?

John

 

[BobM]

Mixed bag

She has obviously been on the hard uncovered for at least three years. On the interior I actually see little sign of pervasive water intrusion from things mounted on the deck. If that was true all the acorn nuts would be brown/discolored. Likewise, the one chain plate you photographed looked great. However the bilge looks FULL and my boat is tight and it would take a century to collect that much water. Water is getting into that boat somehow. The other thing that looks bad is the compression post plate. If the 9.2C is like the 9.2A there probably isn't a block under the post and it may sit right on the deck. The deck above the plate looks deformed to starboard and the pate is bent perhaps as a consequence.

The minus is the hull. I see what may be a few blisters and the cracks in the gelcoat bear further investigation. There is also a large patch that looks like it was subject to repair that may be delaminating. There is no such thing as good deal on a boat that needs to be peeled and totally redone. I wouldn't take her for free under those circumstances. She is filthy outside, but that is a weekend or twos work. The owner obviously took care of her...at least until three years ago.

Whether or not the diesel runs could be a dealbreaker too. Whatever fuel that is in her tanks should be removed and the tank cleaned before anyone fires her up.

Call around and find a local surveyor who knows sailboats. Let the surveyor know he will get your business in buying a boat, not necessarily just this one. Ask him if he has an hourly rate in lieu of a whole survey. If so, bring him in and point him right at the hull and let him know that you may call the survey off if it is a disaster.

Good luck, but my advice is to take out a low interest loan and buy the best boat you can find not the worst. You can deduct it as a second/vacation home too. It achieves the same aim of a low initial payment for the boat, as I think I only put 20% down. Believe me, you will have enough to fix on the best 9.2C you can find!

 

[grtsct]

Based on the boat log, the last time the boat was used was 2004 and at that time it appears that the owners took alot of care towards the boat however when the owners left they pretty much left everything. I beleave the boat has been on the hard sense that time. when looking at the boat my first instinct was that the boat was really dirty and had been sitting for along time and was not worth the asking price of $22,000. but then the broker has advised me that he felt that if interested he would offer $10,000 and that now the owner is a month and a half behind on there payment for storage so he felt that they were eager to sell. That makes me interested if I could get for a really good price and the repairs could be made at a price that wouldn't go beyond what the boat is worth in good condition. Please I like to see everyone's advise whether for it or against it so if you have an opinion on it please reply to the post. thanks!

 

[kbyte]

It's a serious buyer's market out there. A 9.2C in good condition is probably worth around $10K. One with issues that has been abandoned and untouched for 8 years is worth half that.

I would offer $5K, and maybe go up to $6K if you really like the boat. Tell them $5K, cash, today, and see what they say.

 

[bugbitten]

I was thinking $5K for an offer, too, but I agree 100% with the two posts above. Unless you're totally smitten with this particular S2, I'd keep looking. The yard may well own this boat soon, and they'll be eager to sell it for whatever they can get. Besides, there are few things in life more fun than boat shopping!

John

 

[grtsct]

Yeah I agree bugbitten, this just might not be the right one for me. I like the boat but alot of what ifs. And like you said it is a joy to boat shop!

 

[BobM]

Keep in mind what you want to do as a hobby...sail...or repair a sailboat. There is PLENTY of the later that comes with the former without looking for trouble.

 

[BobM]

Damn! Washington NC is far inshore. If that is your home port you better get a Hunter Edge or old Lancer power sailor. It must be 4-5 hours of sailing to get out of the harbor!

 

[dbh252]

Hey! Just saw Washington NC called up. That must be the 9.2C in Capt. Sams boatyard. The wife and I bought one last year in Oriental. I'd keep looking if I were you...

 

[kbyte]

Wow, Washington, Bath, Oriental. Just how many 9.2C's are there around here?

 

[dbh252]

Last year we looked at the one at Sam's. We also looked at the one at McCotter's that has since been sold. Ended up buying one from Oriental and are keeping it docked in Bath. So that's 3 but that's just counting the ones for sale last year. Does yours make a fourth?

 

[kbyte]

I bought the one at McCotter's and love it.

If I recall, one of S2's main dealers was up in Edenton, so it shouldn't be a surprise that there's lots of them around.

 

[Sail123]

Purchase a sailboat with your mind. Do needed repairs with your mind. Sail her into the wind with your heart.

 

[dbh252]

Glad you're happy with it! We are as well. It's a solid boat with room for us and the 3 kids that was the right price.

 

[grtsct]

Anyone have any thoughts good or bad on a Tartan 30?

 

[BobM]

From what reviews I read the 30 is a decent sailor. Chainplates look pretty complex though and leaking chainplates are common on most sailboats. If the boat is Atomic 4 powered be aware that Moyer has all the parts you will ever need, but that gasoline does come with some additional risk. An Atomic 4 boat should be nearly half the price of an equivalent boat with a diesel though, and it will have plenty of power under power.