50 year old sailboat

[Refueler]

Hello

I'm thinking about buying a 50 year old Ohlsen 38 but have been reading that the fiberglass on a boat of that age will start to lose strength.

Does anyone have an opinion/experience they would like to share as to whether the boat will be safe?

Would a survey show potential problems or could they remain hidden?

Pal of mine has an Ohlsen 38 near my boat ... nice ... he's removing some of the modifications a solo liveaboard did inside ... to open up space again.

He's very happy with it ... and its one of the older ones.

Funny enough - it was that boat he wanted my Rig Tension Gauge for.

They have a good reputation ... well built ...

Surveys are TBH ... OK for visible and accessible .. but any areas hidden, behind bulkheads etc can never be checked ... that's why they all have get out clauses ...... I know I ran Yacht Survey biz in UK for many years.
If you do have a survey - make sure you are there and follow everything guy does - do not get distracted ... question ... prod ... YOU are paying ...

 

[Refueler]

Boat breakers from their experience of crunching up boats said that around 30 yrs the grp becomes more brittle whereas newer grp just bounces back..
Still extremely strong. Plenty of 40+ yr old speed boats racing about and slamming into waves without any problems ?
This is the first time ive come across anyone concerned about a grp hull strength due to its age so would think most wouldnt be worried about an aged grp hull

A common fault with such as the Carter 30 and its sisters with age .... softening of underhull and need to support hull more - to avoid keel compression of hull.

2 Carters I checked out last year both had it.

BUT my Mates Ohlsen even though older does NOT have it ... she's good as gold.