Advice on Trader 51

[Trader 51]

Hi

Just looking for some advice re a couple of issues on a Trader 51 I'm thinking of buying.

It has a RIB crane fitted to the top of the aft fibreglass awning with a stainless support pole underneath going down to the deck. There is some cracking in the fibreglass around the base, nothing major but I'm just worried if the fibreglass is balsa cored if there might be moisture in there. My surveyor has seen it and will probable do a core sample when it comes to the full survey, I just wondered if anyone else had encountered this problem on the same boat, I can only imagine that too big a load was picked up at some point.

The second issue is some water staining at the bottom of the after saloon windows, again, not much and appears dry now but I don't know if the bulkheads are balsa core and could be more serious damage.

Finally, she has teak decks throughout and on the foredeck some of the fixing screw wooden plugs are missing and the screw heads, which have been epoxied are proud. On the face of it the screws need removing, countersinking and a bit of sikaflex and a new plug which I'm prepared for. My concern again is any moisture getting into the deck structure (Balsa Core) which I've had on a previous boat. There are no signs of moisture at all on the deckhead in the forward cabin so I'm hopeful but I would be grateful for any advice from forum members.

 

[dj43]

Hi welcome ,sorry not able to answer your questions,but will give your post a bump to the top,where I'm sure somebody will be able to advise you,

 

[Tranona]

Finally, she has teak decks throughout and on the foredeck some of the fixing screw wooden plugs are missing and the screw heads, which have been epoxied are proud. On the face of it the screws need removing, countersinking and a bit of sikaflex and a new plug which I'm prepared for. My concern again is any moisture getting into the deck structure (Balsa Core) which I've had on a previous boat. There are no signs of moisture at all on the deckhead in the forward cabin so I'm hopeful but I would be grateful for any advice from forum members.

Be very wary of plugs missing and screw heads proud of teak. This is a sign of a deck needing serious work as it indicates overall wear and potential for leaks. You need to find out how thick the teak was and how much is left. It may be possible to countersink and replug, but with that level of wear it is likely that the caulking is on its last legs as well. Expert inspection and advice needed.

 

[omega2]

There was a long Saga ON HERE A YEAR OR TWO BACK RE A Trader built in the far east, the owner was not impressed cannot recall his name.