Chances of Osmosis in a 6 year old Beneteau?

[beerfestival]

In October I take ownership of my 2005 Beneteau Cyclades 39 from Sunsail near Split, Croatia and am considering wether to have a survey and if so, if I need it to sit on the hard for a couple of days to have the hull metered for water/osmosis.

1. I've done a pre-season inspection and have crawled around inside and found a few minor things that need attention. I am happy to go up the mast and have a look around (which is more than I am being offered by surveyors). I'm not sure how much more a surveyor will find for 500 Euro.

2. A quick lift on a Travel hoist for an hour will allow a good visual inspection of the hull, keel, prop and show any signs of blistering and damage. But I have not heard of any recent Beneteaus having problems with Osmosis so don't think it's worth paying double the cost to put the yacht onto the hard for a couple of days to get it metered for water content. Or, I could save the lift and dive under her with a video camera to have a good look below the waterline.

None of my insurance quotes are asking for surveys.

So, 1000 Euro or save the money and spend it on the modifications I want?

Thoughts?

 

[Jaramaz]

more reasons than osmosis to lift

I agree, recent Benes are not known to have Osmosis. But the boat has probably spent most of its time in water, rather warm such, so a look will not hurt.

There are more reasons to get an inspection of the keel and other parts down there. It may have gone aground - which may be visible. In particular just aft of the keel should be inspected. Maybe remove some of the paint and have a look on the gelcoat. One can try to measure the humitidy in the hull, but it is difficult to get reliable measurements it the boat has just been lifted.

Have a look on the propeller, on the shaft and the P-bracket (if there is any). Not only look, test so they are securely fastened.

You should make all (reasonable, possible) inspections now, when you still can claim something to the seller. €1000 is just a fraction of what repairs can amount to (and a fraction of the price as well)

Surveyors in Split - I do not know. Maybe there is a list of certified surveyors? I would do it myself if I couldn't find someone reliable.

/Jaramaz

 

[jonic]

Osmosis unlikely but a survey is always a good investment.

 

[r_h]

Osmosis unlikely but a survey is always a good investment.

+1

There are many potential problems that a good surveyor will spot, which will mean they are rectified at Sunsail's expense and not out of your pocket. They used to offer a week's handover period as well - if that's still part of the deal it's well worth taking them up on it and thoroughly testing all the systems etc.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Formally by letter, ask Sunsail if the boat has ever been aground and if it has been aground was there any subsequent repairs. There was an article in YM a while ago about such a deal as yours, where the buyer discovered a substantial repair which indicated that the boat had been holed. IIRC Sunsail had said the boat had never had any serious issues; he still accepted the boat.

It would be worth contacting the YM copy desk and obtaining this article as it contained some good pointers. I would be inclined to quote the article to force a full statement from Sunsail. For example they may believe that they are handing over a boat that is fit for purpose and compliant as they consider any past damaged as properly repaired and hence, not required to be notified. Maybe your agreement covers this.

Personally, Osmosis would not be at the top of my list of checks: the toe of the keel and inside the hull where the toe buts up need to be checked for repairs (in addition to the heal), similarly the rudder mounting structure. The rigging anchor points should be inspected as well.

A surveyor who knows this type of yacht is worth the cost as they are likely to be able to identify repairs which may not be obvious. Of course a properly repaired yacht should be acceptable to you.

 

[Norman_E]

I agree with BlowingOldBoots, and add that it is worth checking the shaft and rudder post for corrosion, as the boat will have spent some time connected to shore power. The shaft on my ex charter boat had quite a bit of pitting, and I subsequently replaced it, and fitted a galvanic isolator to prevent future problems.

 

[Blueboatman]

Survey, !

Its up to you to find a really good surveyor .
What you want is some idea of the state of knachkeredness of everything, winch pawls, sheaves, gearbox blahdiblah.
And wear there will be!

 

[beerfestival]

Thanks for the input and points to look for. Now I need to find a good surveyor!

 

[r_h]

Thanks for the input and points to look for. Now I need to find a good surveyor!

A number of British surveyors travel regularly to the Med, so this is a good place to start looking: http://www.ydsa.co.uk