Classic grounding damage, weekends don't get much worse than this ....

[Baggywrinkle]

.... drove down to Croatia to do the final inspection, collect and pay for our 'new' boat and found this ....

Album - Grounding Damage

Needless to say the sale is off and I'm boatless again.

After initial confusion and flat denial, the seller looked genuinely shocked when I pointed out the extent of the damage, apologised and offered another boat from the fleet as a replacement - haven't seen it yet.

The damage was initially evident from small visible cracks under the corner of the toilet compartment and the corner near the nav table. Un-screwing and lifting the floor and hunting at the backs of the lockers revealed the true horror - and it didn't appear to be letting in any water.

Of course the skipper who did it didn't own up ....

 

[Talulah]

Link not working

 

[johnalison]

Sounds like a big waste of your time. Sadly, the link didn't work for me.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Link fixed ...

Link fixed ??

Album - Grounding Damage

I hadn't made the album public ... so it only worked for me.

 

[Red Admiral]

Works for me, too.

 

[Talulah]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Good job you investigated before handing over the money.
From your posting is sounds like you are buying an ex-charter boat.
I notice it was a Bavaria 36 Holiday.

 

[fireball]

On first glance photos 8 and 10 by themselves wouldn't cause alarm for me ... but with the rest - yes ... it looks like a reasonable grounding ...

Strange the keel didn't fall off eh? ....

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Yep ... buyer beware ... it checked out fine in April when I first saw it - fortunately photographed everything. Got damaged during the 2011 season which was why I wanted to give it a good going over before parting with the cash.

All in all just a big waste of time and money, we'll see what the survey on the next one says.

 

[armchairsailor]

Well, it was time and money, but a real waste would have been to part with the cash and then find this out. Whilst it's cold comfort, I think you dodged a bullet. Better luck next time.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

On first glance photos 8 and 10 by themselves wouldn't cause alarm for me ... but with the rest - yes ... it looks like a reasonable grounding ...

Strange the keel didn't fall off eh? ....

All the cracks have appeared since April so I guess it was one incident - got before and after pictures to prove it.

It still floats, didn't let in water over the 3 days we were on it (except I didn't leave the marina) and I guess it has done a few charters in this condition.

Keel is also still firmly attached.

 

[RichardS]

and yet I wouldn't have thought it that common to ground in Croatia because of the very steep incline of the land into the sea. However, I suppose that means people might take a relaxed attitude and when they do hit the odd shoal you can guarantee that in Croatia it will never be sand or shingle!

What a bummer but well spotted!

Richard

 

[snowleopard]

Just goes to show you should always have a survey unless you're able to do it yourself.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Just goes to show you should always have a survey unless you're able to do it yourself.

Whilst of course I fully agree with you, you dont need a surveyor to see that is ducked!

 

[savageseadog]

A good repair might make it as good if not better than new? (with adjustment in price of course)

 

[Baggywrinkle]

A good repair might make it as good if not better than new? (with adjustment in price of course)

I think it will end up being an insurance job. The surveyor we are using to check over the next boat was saying it would cost €2,5k to €3k just to remove the interior and get at the superstructure to determine the extent of the damage. Total bill will easily be in five figures.

Anyone fancy a project?

 

[pagoda]

Whilst of course I fully agree with you, you dont need a surveyor to see that is ducked!

Surveyors are a very variable quantity. They see what they want to see generally.
My maxim is that unless the seller / broker is happy with me looking under the cabin sole - and other dark places easily accessible with a screwdriver, just walk away.
Well spotted.
It is almost certainly repairable, but the thick end of £10-12Grand...

Graeme

 

[Seagreen]

Having just had a hull repair, I think insurance companies would be very reluctant to shell out on repairing complex damaged grp structures like this. The most likely scenario would be that the insurance co would decline cover, or just scrap the boat.

 

[30boat]

It is very repairable but if done professionally the labour cost alone will be prohibitive and it the end the resale value will always be affected.You did well in retreating.

 

[TQA]

Think positive.

You clould have handed over the dosh.

Then discovered the damage. All in all a good weekend.

I am surpirised the charter co. did not fix it before sale. They usually have a good glass guy on tap and manage the most amazing repairs in double time.

 

[rudolph_hart]

.... to see that is ducked!

What, as in Donalled?