Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

[brianinGalveston]

I am thinking about buying a boat from a guy down here, but I am concerned about stress cracks on the the gunwale where it meets the back deck. the crach is about 1/8th in width and goes completely across the gunwale. I noticed that there were hair line cracks on the front deck too.<br /><br />I have a list of equipment on the boat and NADA says that it is about 1100-1300 above the asking price. That sounds good, but the cracks have raised a big red flag.<br /><br />Any comments are greatly appreciated,<br />Brian

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

Brian,<br />I would move away from that one! If it's truly "Cracked" 1/8" across the gunwale, then you are looking at some big bucks and headaches to repair it. Just my opinion.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

1/8" crack falls in a bit larger category than stress crack. I would wonder what kind of stress the boat was exposed to to crack the gunnel. After seeing that I would wonder about the cracks that I can't see. <br /><br />I suggest that you rethink your priorities. Put condition first folllowed by price and then extra goodies.

 

[brianinGalveston]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

I have some photos of the Hewes that I asked about a couple of weeks ago. I'll send them to you if you don't mind looking at them and give your opinion. Contact me at brian.buckalew@usa.net<br /><br />TIA,<br />Brian

 

[brianinGalveston]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

Here is the photo of the crack. Any opinions?<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[brianinGalveston]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

hmmmm. the pictures showed up in the "POST PREVIEW". any clues on why they are not showing up now?

 

[rwise]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

is this the correct URL?<br /><br /> http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e5f0d458/bc/Hewes+#1.jpg?bc2TYL.AJLzt8n4K <br /><br /> http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/e5f0d458/bc/hewes+#1.jpg?bcmmYL.At4nUim9x

 

[brianinGalveston]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

Well, it was. I guess Yahoo dynamically changes the URL. Here is the front-end URL. Let me know if it CHANGES too.<br /><br /> http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/brianingalveston/lst?.dir=/&.src=ph&.view=t <br /><br />Regards,<br />Brian

 

[Terry H]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

Brian...If the crack is only in the deck and you have access to the underside where it is split it is a fairly simple repair. Fiberglass, epoxy, and some matching gelcoat...someone who knows what they are doing can make that fix invisible...just a Thought

 

[taz33911]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

I would have to agree it is an easy fix if you can under it ,but the reason it happen is it is the narrowest point also meaning the weakest with the sharp corners round corners are stronger. Lots of things cause them if near the front of the boat thewinch not adjusted to the right height or pulled down too tight bouncing on the trailer causes more damage than in the water.some fish boats withe swim platform type engine brackets put a lot of stress on the transom areas and any sharp corners in the aft. But properly fixed they are not that big a deal to me I repair boats and under warranty repairs to boats in a manu. plant. Most cracks to me seem to happen on the trailer tied down too tight , bouncing and such ,or real rough chop on the water sorry but if you bend fiberglass the wrong way the gel cracks ugly but not always a bad problem . as to what that looks like it needs to be fixed or it will split all the way through the glass. If it has an outboard engine the weight pulls against the winch on every bounce it takes.

 

[dihwp734]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

That crack doesn't look too good. I would skip that boat if I were you. I have a 2000 18' Redfisher and I have had several problems with the boat that are indicative of poor craftsmanship. I definetely would not purchase another Hewes.

 

[masterp]

Re: Help-- Stress Cracks on a 1995 Hewes Refisher 18'

Doesn't look good to me at any price, but I'm the consevative type and I hate buying trouble!