Fiberglass Freak out-Help!

[rinkerdinker1]

Hi
every time I go and look around this boat I just purchased, I see more and more cracks and I found two cracks near the lower unit; pic attached, I tried to highlight where they are; they do not look "deep" to me, but I am unfamiliar with fiberglass characteristics; the previous owner and his friend told me they re-foamed the boat and installed new stringers and flooring along with reman engine block in 2008-model# is 1978 Bayliner Santiago Cuddy-2200; Is there a proffessional I can hire in Chicagoland to look at this?; before I sink another red cent into this project;please help; freakin out over here as this is my first cuddy and first I/O; fyi ;I am aware of bad reps Bayliner gets, but this boat seemed different; I checked all over the floor and it is solid as a rock; jumped all over it; no soft spots-reletively new carpet as well; bow seemingly has no cracks I can see; how does fiberflass "behave"? Thanks soo much; please calm my nerves and wallet;
Sincerely
RD1

 

[shrew]

Re: Fiberglass Freak out-Help!

I can't see ANY cracks in the pic up uploaded. I can see where you are identifying where they are located. Whithout seeing them, it's only a guess. i'd guess stress cracks in the gelcoat. Based on the nature of teh wear on the skeg of the drive, I'd say they are as a result of beaching the boat or running in shallow sand. Probably just from 'donking' the drive in the sand when in the shallows. Even with teh drive all the way up, it rarely is higher than the keel at the transom and the drive doesn't really like weight on it.

Again this is a GUESS. If it is just in the gel coat then that can be fixed fairly easily by a pro. I wouldn't want to let it stay like that in the event that it is allowing water intrusion at the transom. I'd have a fiberglass BOAT guy take a look at it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fiberglass Freak out-Help!

As to bad Bayliner reps - I think they mainly apply to the smaller outboards. I had a 27 1/2' Bayliner flybridge years back and while it was not of Bertram quality it was decently made.

 

[rinkerdinker1]

Re: Fiberglass Freak out-Help!

Bubba
I found a local marine vessel inspector that charges by the foot; would he be able to tell me?
thanks again!

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Fiberglass Freak out-Help!

they do not look "deep" to me

Rest easy my friend. The boat appears to be in excellent shape. Minor stress cracks in the gelcoat are nothing to be alarmed about. In a boat which has attained the age of 34 years, it would be amazing if none existed. By hand, apply some up and down force to the outdrive and see if you can detect any enlargement of the cracks or other flexing of the transom. An inspection by a competent surveyor is always a wise move before you buy a boat. At this point, it is of questionable merit unless you are prepared to fix whatever may be revealed.