cracked ribs

Phoenix of Hamble

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Been to look at a boat today......

Ticked pretty much all our boxes pretty thoroughly, but one major problem uncovered, and would appreciate the expertise and thoughts of the forum.... as it does also present an opportunity for a very attractive price....

The grid supporting the keel has cracked in two places..... clearly the consequence of a grounding.... there is no obvious damage to the hull itself (nor the keel), no signs of any bulging, and appears fair for and aft and side to side.... the cracks appear to be shallow, but obviously that can't be confirmed until further invasive investigation has taken place...

A surveyor has viewed the boat, and suggested that the cracks are ground back to good glass, and then repaired as appropriate with woven cloth and epoxy. He has then suggested that a number of heavy duty stainless 'boxes' with gussets for strength are cross bolted along the grid to provide additional strength and load spreading for the future....

Now, with a few other things that need doing, but are minor in relation to this problem, I can possibly get a price that is significantly lower than I expected to pay, and would make things far easier financially.... but wonder if I am being a bit dewey eyed about this problem..... and whether it is something that should be walked away from...

Your thoughts?
 
My thoughts FWIW , if the surveyor has said that you can repair like that then isn't he accepting liability if it doesn't work , but it sounds like a pretty good repair method to me anyway
 
Surveyor " Accepting Liability " /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
so good to see you so happy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

yes I did post with tongue in cheek , just surprised he came up with what sounds like a pretty thorough repair though /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif


Beer.gif
 
I\'d walk

Neil,

If you start off having to worry about the structural integrity of your craft, you'll never have true peace of mind.
Even if it is repaired (repairs which you will have to pay for even if you manage to push down the price) you'll still be wondering "will it hold?".


Last year I'd fallen in love with an Atlantic 44. She'd been treated for osmosis 2 years before. Survey showed that the hull below the waterline was 3-4 mm thinner than above. So, she'd not been rebuilt to full thickness.
Survey comment: "The hull probably remains adequately strong".
I read this as: she may float, but don't hold me to it.

We walked.

A month later we ended up with sailing's equivalent of an icebreaker.

PS: maybe that GibSea JJ posted the link to deserves a look. Seemed like a lot of boat for the money.

Good luck
 
Neil,
when you come to sell it, don't you think it will scare the crap out of the next potential buyer to find large chunks of metal and bolts with wodges of epoxy under the floorboards?
If I owned the boat and damaged it thus, I would be off to the factory for a proper repair scheme, or at least the local Naval Architect. I am not sure I would buy a boat like it though, as a quick check tells me there are more boats than buyers.

I take it this is not a Bavaria test model then?? (ducks and flees) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Neil

I walked from a similar situation a few years ago. If the repair is done well, then it can make the boat stronger than before. But you always have a resale value problem, and the nagging thought, why did it happen, are any other areas weak?

Give me a ring again on the number found in the sig


John
 
You don't say what the boat is. Some are(were) prone to cracking ribs when sat on their keel on the hard (westerly 26 i think- merlin comes to mind). They can be acceptably repaired and don't carry any stigma afterwards. However, yours may be something completely different.
 
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