Cracks & Chips in Hull

[Hardcore]

i have come across my dream boat for dirt cheap the only thing is the bow has alot of spiderweb cracks and an area where its textured like an orange peel with little blisters and cracks.

i like the boat so much i am not adverse to repairing it but i am not sure what the consequences are as far as hull integrity.

does the fiberglass soak up water if there are cracks? what is the significance of this? please help i need to make a decision soon. im thinking about hiring a marine surveyor.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

What kind of cracks. Where are they located. Extent of damage. What kind of price? I would not hire a marine surveyor for a hundred dollar boat but I would for a forty thousand dollar one. Pic would really help us out and more information. I hope you get your dream boat. All fiberglass will take on water gel is there to help block this. The end result could be delaminating form freezing to rotten stringers if water gets to them.

 

[oops!]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

i am seeing red flags here....

there aint no way any boat out of a mould has orange peel.

that means the boat has been repaired. and because there is still cracks....there might have been an impact.

post pics.

a surveyor is never a bad idea......but we might be able to turn you on/off before you lay out the bux

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

i have come across my dream boat for dirt cheap the only thing is the bow has alot of spiderweb cracks and an area where its textured like an orange peel with little blisters and cracks.

i like the boat so much i am not adverse to repairing it but i am not sure what the consequences are as far as hull integrity.

does the fiberglass soak up water if there are cracks? what is the significance of this? please help i need to make a decision soon. im thinking about hiring a marine surveyor.

I agree..what kinda boat is this ? what size ? orange peel ..sounds like paint..is this a go fast ?

No the fiberglass will not "soak" water .. water will mitigate into the cracks if they are deep enough..but will take Years to damage the hull in a way that your repairs will be any larger then the origional damage ( unless the glass was not properly resinated from the factory )..

Im just assuming here..that your Dream boat was not some 19 foot bayliner....or larson..hehe..( I have nothing againts said boats..and they were products of great imagination and construction..... .. ).

YD.

 

[Hardcore]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

i guess it would be my dream boat if it were new...

said boat is a 25' wellcraft airslot 1976 twin mercs. has lows hours and everything else is in near perfect condition. its really clean and everything works. with twin 140 mercruisers. i can get this boat for under $4000 which seems cheap to me but i am obviously concerned about the hull.

i am pretty sure this is original fiberglass and gelcoat it just has little blisters in places.

i want this kind of boat for two reasons: i like the layout and hull style for offshore fishing and because it is unique looking and i have a marine fabrication business that i'd like to use this boat to advertise it.

if this is just cosmetic, i don't even care, i'll fix it i just have to make sure this thing is solid because it will be seeing heavy seas at times.

 

[oops!]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

good price.....get pics.......lets go from there

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

You want to fix the craze cracks, and protect the hull from water absorbtion. There is a two part epoxy paint/fairing product (pettit or intelux), which is good for your issue. I would sand the hull to remove any wax, and any light scratches and cracks. Mix up the stuff and roll it on. Sand it smooth. If you have enough of that stuff to seal the hull, you are done, however, if not, paint several coats (follow directions) of an epoxy barrier coat to stop water infiltration. Bottom paint after that.



I doubt the power you have cited will distort your hull and continue to crack, so that is not an issue.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

I see a lot of that size and type of boat for around that price or even less in this part of the world. Sometimes they ask for $4000 in the beginning and by the end its please haul it away for free.

I wouldn't worry about the actual fiberglass hull, its the rotten wood, motors and outdrives that will cause problems and eat money, that's why this size boat sells so cheap, cheap at least in upfront costs. The real cost is later when you start to tear things apart and find what's wrong, if it didn't cost a great deal to get it back in the water the current owner would do it.

You can find a good deal every now and then though, but check it out very close before you buy it.

 

[redfury]

Re: Cracks & Chips in Hull

I agree. The easiest mistake when buying a boat is not knowing a thing about them. If not a marine surveyor, then at least bring along someone with decent knowledge of boats and what to look for. Many a person has bought a boat for dirt cheap, only to find out that they were in for the money when they actually got down and dirty with it.

It's buyer beware when it comes to any boat. I only paid 300 bucks for my boat, and I paid 300 bucks too much, I should have been able to get it for next to nothing if I had known what I was getting into.