I've been looking at boats for years now and am very close to purchasing a 1988 O'Day 272 in excellent condition. The only thing wrong I can see is multiple spider cracks around the mast base, forward hatch, and cockpit port seat. The deck is solid, and the cracks 'appear' to be superficial, but it is still a concern none-the-less. Are these common on O'day 272's? Are they mainly just superficial and nothing to worry about? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. -Mark
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- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
stress cracks
Step on the area to determine if the substructure is 'spongy'. If it is then water has found its way into the core. If not (and likely it has not) these are superficial cracks that can be filled with Capt Tolley Creeping Crack sealer. These are typically stress cracks that are quite common to older boats.
Step on the area to determine if the substructure is 'spongy'. If it is then water has found its way into the core. If not (and likely it has not) these are superficial cracks that can be filled with Capt Tolley Creeping Crack sealer. These are typically stress cracks that are quite common to older boats.
Spider cracks...
Mark, To ease your mind, have a competant surveyor evaluate. Find one that when he surveys and finds problems also recommends the way to fix the issues. That may provide you with ease of mind, but also with bargaining leverage. If nothing more, it will tell you how to fix. It will be worth the the several hundred dollars spent. He will tell you the answer to Roger's question. Where are you looking? We may be able to recommend a surveyor. While many do not use them for boats this size, since you have a question, a the best answer. Even if the issues are serious, when working on plastic boats, they can be fixed, it is a matter of costs and time. Are you looking for a project boat or one to sail this summer? Ed K 26
Mark, To ease your mind, have a competant surveyor evaluate. Find one that when he surveys and finds problems also recommends the way to fix the issues. That may provide you with ease of mind, but also with bargaining leverage. If nothing more, it will tell you how to fix. It will be worth the the several hundred dollars spent. He will tell you the answer to Roger's question. Where are you looking? We may be able to recommend a surveyor. While many do not use them for boats this size, since you have a question, a the best answer. Even if the issues are serious, when working on plastic boats, they can be fixed, it is a matter of costs and time. Are you looking for a project boat or one to sail this summer? Ed K 26
Thanks for the info. The deck is solid, I stepped around looking for soft spots and stepped around where these cracks are to feel for any softness and did not feel any. I will look up Capt. Tolley's and see about that. This is the second O'Day 272 that I've seen them on. I'm on the south shore of Long Island NY. The boat I'm looking at is in Bayport. Thanks again. -Mark
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