What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

[gonefishy]

Looking at boats in the 1988-1995 range mostly Sea Ray and Four Winns bow-riders 18-19' long. What should I be looking at structurally and where in particular can you get at these parts. I have only owned an aluminum outboard and the transom is the main item to check in it for rot but I have no idea what to look at in the fiberglass inboards? Have seen problems with stringers mentioned in some posts, how are they checked?

 

[ericp501]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

I think u open the ski locker and poke at them with a screwdriver.. Could be better ways tho

 

[JoLin]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

I've had 3 boats surveyed and the surveyor used a combination of a 'tap test' with a hammer (looking for a sharp rapping noise vs. a dull 'thunk') and a moisture meter to confirm suspect areas.

Even when he pointed out an area that had the 'thunk', at best case I could barely tell the difference, tho he could. That's why I don't do my own surveys.

 

[gonefishy]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

I've had 3 boats surveyed and the surveyor used a combination of a 'tap test' with a hammer (looking for a sharp rapping noise vs. a dull 'thunk') and a moisture meter to confirm suspect areas.

Even when he pointed out an area that had the 'thunk', at best case I could barely tell the difference, tho he could. That's why I don't do my own surveys.

Did he have to drill a hole to use a moisture meter.
Most sellers on smaller <> 18' boats aren't going to go for a survey when they are getting lots of inquiries on their boats and most of those are happy with a test drive. This boat shopping can be depressing and stressful

 

[JoLin]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

No, he didn't drill any holes. The moisture meter and tap tests were used on the outside of the hull. The reason for the tap test, too, is that antifouling bottom paint can sometimes interfere with the meter.

Sorta funny story on my current boat- I was in the boat while he was outside near the stern, running the meter along the stringers. I look over and he's scratching his head. I asked him what was wrong, and he said 'I'm getting a high moisture reading along this stringer, but only for about 2 feet. It's normal on either side of it.' He did it a couple times, then I went down into the engine room while he tapped on that area. LOL- I poked around under the motor and found a 2-foot long piece of scrap wood that somebody had tossed into the bilge, that was resting against the stringer. I pulled it out of there and the meter reading went to normal.

 

[Davem3]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

transom rot is NO joke in a glasser, use your gut, moisture meter, and rubber mallet. (surveyor is the best), look for any cracks in the glass on and around the transom and sides and even underneath as well, those cracks, or even spider webs tell you one hellava story if you listen to them. also, look and see how maintenance was performed as well, if the outdrive and engine was never mantained, chances are the seals were never treated right as well..............and fresh paint can be hiding a lot as well............

not trying to scare you, just giving you options here and go in with EYES WIDE OPEN.............. if it sounds too good to be true

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

transom rot is NO joke in a glasser, use your gut, moisture meter, and rubber mallet. (surveyor is the best), look for any cracks in the glass on and around the transom and sides and even underneath as well, those cracks, or even spider webs tell you one hellava story if you listen to them. also, look and see how maintenance was performed as well, if the outdrive and engine was never mantained, chances are the seals were never treated right as well..............and fresh paint can be hiding a lot as well............

OP is looking at an inboard... No outdrive, and there really is no reinforced transom like an I/o or outboard.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

OP is looking at an inboard... No outdrive, and there really is no reinforced transom like an I/o or outboard.

I think he is misusing inboard, he specifically mentions "mostly Sea Ray and Four Winns bow-riders 18-19' long", which are I/O's

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What to look for buying an inboard fiberglass hull?

I think he is misusing inboard, he specifically mentions "mostly Sea Ray and Four Winns bow-riders 18-19' long", which are I/O's

ya good point, its an I/O, not an inboard.