Possible deck issue?

[AndyKW25]

Good day, I am looking at purchasing a 2003 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 that had some damage after a storm last year. Overall the boat is in decent shape but there is one potential issue that hopefully someone can help me with.

The potential issue is, when I inspected the deck, I noticed that when I stand next to each stanchion and bounce a little bit (I weigh 150lbs for reference), I can see that the top of the stanchion is moving a little bit meaning that there is some flex in the deck. Does anyone know if this is to be expected?

Thanks and let me know if more information would be helpful.

 

[dLj]

I'm more like 200 pounds and I can jump up and down on my deck and stanchions don't move... I don't know of a boat where that would be normal, but I've never jumped up and down on the boat you are looking at.

dj

 

[dlochner]

That is not a good sign. It could be wet or rotting core beneath the stanchions, which is repairable, but fairly expensive to do it right. Or it might be the Jeanneau is lightly built boat. Either way, I'd be hesitant. With storm damaged boats there may be lingering problems that only show up later. One issue can be the wiring if the boat was flooded. It may work now, but if saltwater has intruded in the wire beneath the insulation it will damage the wire and it will need to be replaced.

Storm damaged boats can be a good deal if you have the skills, time, and financial resources to bring them back to life. For a test of restoring storm damaged boats, take a look at Sail Life. Mads may be a gluten for punishment.

 

[D Swanson]

I agree with @dlochner... could be wet core or light construction. Having personally repaired rotted and wet core on decks, Dave is right about the expense of repair, however it's mostly labor cost. A competent, thoughtful and well prepared DIY sailor can tackle this type of repair. If the core is actually wet, a moisture meter will likely confirm this when a marine surveyor checks out the boat. Storm damaged boats are a crap shoot. Procede carefully.

 

[BigEasy]

I can see that the top of the stanchion is moving a little bit meaning that there is some flex in the deck.

Would be highly unusual for ALL stanchions to move. All deck cores would have to be compromised; again, highly unusual. Possible that the stanchions need to be re-bedded & tightened...easy repair. Bring it to attention of surveyor at let him test with moisture meter & sounding hammer.

 

[AndyKW25]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. We are going to have it hauled out today and inspected. Fingers crossed.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

You don't need a haul out for this type of inspection. I would tap around the suspect area and compare it to other parts of the deck. Do keep in mind that sound will change based on the support structure in that area. A bad area will likely have a dull thud sound. It's not a perfect science

 

[BigEasy]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. We are going to have it hauled out today and inspected. Fingers crossed.

Let us know you findings; hope you get a clean bill of health.

 

[thinwater]

I would think if it is the same at ALL of the stanchions (or at least symmetric port/starboard) that is construction not damaged or rot. Also, you are not going to have rot from last year. It takes years to develop. You could have some delamination from impact. They are balsa cored deck, but balsa does not delaminate as easily as foam (better bond).

 

[BigEasy]

I would think if it is the same at ALL of the stanchions (or at least symmetric port/starboard) that is construction not damaged or rot. .

Those stanchions are not made as one piece . The stanchion base is bedded & thru bolted through the deck; however, the stanchion upright is a separate component that is secured to the base. As I previously mentioned they may need to be tightened. While addressing that issue, may as well rebed them at same time. May be a simple maintenance problem that is easily repaired.

 

[AndyKW25]

Well, long story short, after a deeper inspection the state of the stanchions were the least of my concerns and we passed on the boat. Thanks for all the responses and information. It is much appreciated!

 

[BigEasy]

Sorry to hear that the boat was a “no go.” Better to find major problems before you have a financial interest involved. There are lots of other boats out there waiting to be discovered.

 

[dLj]

Well, long story short, after a deeper inspection the state of the stanchions were the least of my concerns and we passed on the boat. Thanks for all the responses and information. It is much appreciated!

Just a FYI - we like hearing the long story....

dj

 

[arf145]

If you awaken folks by dangling an interesting boat problem in front of them, it's nice if you give us the whole story, or at least a good piece of the long one!

 

[AndyKW25]

I am new here, so please forgive my poor etiquette,

A synopsis of the story:

We took the boat for a test sail and honestly love the way is sailed. It pointed well, had good speed in light wind, and seemed like it would be easy to single hand sail. But after doing a deeper inspection, the list of projects we identified were a bit more than we wanted to address at the present time.

Some of the work we believe it needed include:

• Electrical system, none of the instruments worked. Unknown if it is a simple or extravagant fix that would be required.
• The motor seemed like it ran well, but when I checked the oil, there was none on the dipstick. (it was about 2 quarts low out of 6)
• Auto pilot was not functional
• stern and aft pulpits had pulled out and needed to be repaired and fiberglass work required
• The original question of the stanchions moving is still unresolved
• Some fiberglass cracks were observed from the interior and some of the fiberglass tabs and broken loose.

During the haul out, we noticed:

• A decent bit of corrosion on the front edge of the keel
• several spots of fiberglass that did not sound right and had cracks
• New bottom paint needed

For the right person, the boat could be a good deal. I just don't have the time to dedicate to a large project at the moment.

Thanks again for all the support and information!

 

[kappykaplan]

Tks for sharing the long version!

 

[dLj]

I am new here, so please forgive my poor etiquette,

A synopsis of the story:

We took the boat for a test sail and honestly love the way is sailed. It pointed well, had good speed in light wind, and seemed like it would be easy to single hand sail. But after doing a deeper inspection, the list of projects we identified were a bit more than we wanted to address at the present time.

Some of the work we believe it needed include:

• Electrical system, none of the instruments worked. Unknown if it is a simple or extravagant fix that would be required.
• The motor seemed like it ran well, but when I checked the oil, there was none on the dipstick. (it was about 2 quarts low out of 6)
• Auto pilot was not functional
• stern and aft pulpits had pulled out and needed to be repaired and fiberglass work required
• The original question of the stanchions moving is still unresolved
• Some fiberglass cracks were observed from the interior and some of the fiberglass tabs and broken loose.

During the haul out, we noticed:

• A decent bit of corrosion on the front edge of the keel
• several spots of fiberglass that did not sound right and had cracks
• New bottom paint needed

For the right person, the boat could be a good deal. I just don't have the time to dedicate to a large project at the moment.

Thanks again for all the support and information!

Sounds like you made the right choice. There are plenty of boats out there... This one sounds like a project boat for someone that wishes to rebuild the whole boat...

dj