Mate of a mate of mine had his old fibreglass hull crack and take on serious water a week ago, to the risk of his life and his two kids, after it rode a fairly minor wave from a passing ferry. <br /><br />I've wondered at times if my late 1960's Australian-made Bertram Caribbean 15 foot fibreglass runabout is at risk of breaking up or cracking open at sea. I'm particularly inclined to wonder about it if conditions turn and I'm going through heavier stuff than the chickenheart calm conditions I normally go out in.<br /><br />The hull has the original finish on it and there is no sign of cracking or, with one minor exception of about 9 inches from an impact on the gunnel, even spiderweb cracks.<br /><br />What I'm worried about is whether the fibreglass can get brittle or fatigued or whatever under the surface and split or break without warning, e.g from banging through chop at speed or slamming off the odd wave.<br /><br />The boat had one owner before I got it a year ago. He said he used it pretty vigorously in saltwater in heavy conditions in its early years and then in pretty calm freshwater for most of its life. It was under cover in a shed during its freshwater period, but was stored in the open for the last few years as he'd lost interest in it.<br /><br />It's had the floor replaced. The bilge is watertight and never drains anything. <br /><br />There's water or dampness in the upper starboard transom, probably from inadequately sealed holes on that side, but not in the port side. I've drilled holes in both places for steering and auxiliary mounths. The transom doesn't flex and sounds solid.<br /><br />The hull is rated for 120HP but runs, and never ran more than, only 60HP.<br /><br />If I took it to a marine surveyor would he be able to tell if it's still sound?
