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stress areas?

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reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/13/2004 : 23:26:47

We saw a completely lovely 250 WK this afternoon and plan to tender an offer tomorrow. She's a 2000 & seems actually not to have had much use, but we did spot two places where there are hairline cracks - whether only in the gelcoat or deeper I don't know. One is round one of the through-bolts holding the traveler (?) that runs across just outside the companionway - we noticed the crack while lying on our backs in the aft berth. The other is outside at the base of the strut supporting the starboard catbird seat. Have either of these places been weak or otherwise problematic for you? More generally, how does a person detect whether a crack is a serious matter or only cosmetic?

Reuben.

Reuben
C-250 WK #499
Bayfield, WI

Edited by - reuben on 01/13/2004 23:30:37

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2004 : 00:31:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by reuben
 More generally, how does a person detect whether a crack is a serious matter or only cosmetic?

Reuben.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hire a surveyor to survey the boat before purchase.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2004 : 00:52:13

Ruben: You can find some good information regarding gel coat crazing or cracking by putting those terms in your internet search engine. There is also a good article published by Bob Lacovara, called "Getting A Handle on Gel Coat Cracking".

But I agree with Bryan given my experiences, get a surveyor before you purchase the boat!

Dan #727

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2004 : 13:39:41

Point out to the surveyor any flaws you have discovered. He's going to grab the traveller and pull on it and see if it moves. He's also going to stress the strut holding the catbird seat. If the cracks are serious, you'll know because it will feel weak. Also look for delamination (fiberglass has taken up water). You do this by tapping with the butt of a screwdriver. If it's delaminated, the fiberglass will fee mushy.

One advantage of having a surveyor do this is, if he grabs the traveller and yanks on it and it breaks off in his hand, it's not your problem. You can walk away from the deal or negotiate a cost reduction for a repair. If you yank on it and it breaks you may get into a nasty fight with the seller.

Go through the boat bow to stern, open everything. Note any flaw you can find. Try every switch and light. Run the motor. Hoist the sails. No surveyor is going to be as thorough as you (about to spend major $). Keep written notes. Also check all required Coast Guard safety gear - if anythings missing the seller will usually buy it for you or reduce the boat's price. This can be an easy way to save several hundred dollars.

Make sure that you make an offer (usually with 10% down) and that your deal is dependant on your written acceptance of survey and sea-trial. Basically you can back out of the deal over any flaw the surveyor finds (although you usually negotiate price reductions to cover repairs). But the sea-trial is what saves you. If you don't like the way the boat sails for any reason you can back out and get your deposit back.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2004 : 16:47:41

I have a similar stress crack under our port stern seat & its finally gotten to the point that we'll have to repair it this year.

You absolutely need to get a survey - put it in the contract. Point out anything you've seen to the surveyor and be sure to be around during the survey 'cause you'll learn alot about your boat. Our surveyor pointed out some cosmetic flaws in the gelcoat & told us what to watch for structural problems (like around the outboard bracket).

Good luck!

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2004 : 23:14:09

The survey came through bright & flying - all is solid. The surveyor did note we should keep an eye on the stress crack under the catbird-seat strut; if it worsens he suggests repairing with a steel backing plate. Cathy, is this the strategy you'll employ? Has anyone else been faced with a similar repair?

Other than that, we have a clean survey - and also, I'm glad to report, a deal! Reuben.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2004 : 09:08:43

If you believe it's a weak place, why don't you install a backing plate before it gets worse?

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2004 : 09:12:07

Congratulations ! I trust you will enjoy the boat as much as I, and others on this forum, enjoy theirs. As you well know this was the place to be before you bought, but it is now also the place to be for maintenance and modification inspiration.

As far as the base of the perches, I have not heard of anyone having to do any serious work there...yet.

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
Sunrise on the Neuse River...

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2004 : 20:17:14

Great! Congrats on the new boat!

As for my stern seat connection repair - I was planning on repairing the gelcoat, but I may take a closer look on the backside given your surveyor's opinion. I don't believe its structural as long as I don't get moisture in there.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.