composite hulls + malabar senior

[derekja]

I'm looking at a 1956 Malabar Senior that was built by Le Compte. I really like the lines and it's great on the topsides. The thing that concerns me is that the hull and deck were glassed in over top of the wood during the last refit of this boat. It has a recent survey that attests to it's structural integrity, but I have no experience with glassed-in wood. Anything I should be scared of?

Thanks.

--Derek


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jamesjermain]

Depending on how this was done and what materials were used, this could be the saving of the boat or its death. Fully encapsulating old wood is almost always a recipe for disaster. It traps in moisture and rot spores which reduce the stuff to dust in short order. On the other hand, if it has been sheethed on one side only and plenty of ventilation has been left on the other, the result could be a stronger boat which will last well.

GRP sheething of old boats was once a common bodge which fell out of favour when the consequencies became clear. Modern methods and materials have made it safer and better. You must get a new survey though, done by someone who knows wooden boats. I would have considerable misgivings about a boat of this age treated in this way and would not be surprised if she turned out to have problems.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[ccscott49]

James, I couldn't agree more!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[derekja]

Thank you! I'll certainly have a new survey done before purchasing it.

If the survey says that it's solid (big if, of course) is there any more maintenance to a boat like this than to a fiberglass boat?

My understanding is that the exterior was fiberglassed in, and the interior epoxy sealed. This was about 8 years ago. A good deal of the hull was replaced during this process. Is that enough time for problems to have shown themselves?

Thanks!

--Derek


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ccscott49]

It's so difficult to see it, for the very reason they rot, it's all sealed up, they are a devil of a job to survey. It may well have been done right, dried right out new timber where needed and sealed properly etc. But what is wrong with new timber? I smell a rat or at least dry rat (rot)! The only boat that's sheathed that I would trust, is one designed and built like that from new, or one with a sheathed (Cascover) bottom, from new and well looked after. IMHO

<hr width=100% size=1>