Deck Flexing on a GK24

[Judders]

I went to look at a GK24 on saturday with my brother. Quite apart from being flaberghasted at the poor presentation of a boat which was on the brokers own hard standing, we were concerned at the level of flex in the deck. I have been on one other GK24 and didn't notice this. Does anyone know if it is common to the design and how much of a problem it is?

Do other flush decked boats have this problem? The Seal Sinbad or the Vivacity 650 for example?

 

[Georgio]

It's amazing that some owners who want to sell make so little effort tidy a boat. That said don't let one bad experience put you off the GK24 I had one for 4 years and they are great starter boats. The deck did flex a bit (as most GRP boats do) but how much is too much? - I couldn't say without more info.

 

[Ecosse120]

I have an e boat which is flush decked and that has very little flexing of the deck. I agree with your comments about condition of boats, some appear to have been stopped sailing one season and on the market the next without anything having been done, including washing up !!

 

[geoffatstanpit]

I had a Seal Sinbad and the deck was very firm. Mine did have a local problem in way of the inner forestay attachment but having publicised it at the time ('82) most will by now have some reinforcement in that area.

 

[rhumlady]

It could be wet core where the Balsa core gets soaked from holes in the deck from badly fitted kit. If so it is a bu**er of a job to fix. Survey definitly required.

 

[Twister_Ken]

>If so it is a bu**er of a job to fix. Survey definitly required. <

No. Walking away definitely required.

 

[Bajansailor]

I used to crew on a GK 24, but this was 20 years ago - very nice boats.

Is the 'whole' section of deck flexing, or just the top surface?
If the whole section is, then that could be quite serious.
If just the top skin of the deck (I presume balsa core?) is flexing, and the skin underneath is not, then you still have a fair amount of strength in the deck. Although it is probable that the core is rotten and / or delaminated in order to cause this flexing to happen, as others have noted above.

I have found that a good way (IMHO) to non-destructive survey cored decks is to walk over them very carefully and gently, with bare feet (you wouldnt want to do this in winter in the UK!) and let the deck 'talk' to you. Your feet can pick up a lot - much more than if you have shoes on.

And if you can get access to a moisture meter, even better, then you can test moisture levels all over in the deck - you are only interested in relative values, compared to a 'good' section of deck.

If both skins are flexing all over, and / or the core is 'wet' all over, then a BIG job to repair is in the offing.....

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
I used to crew on a GK 24, but this was 20 years ago - very nice boats.


[/ QUOTE ]

I used to crew on Get Knotted out of Abersoch at around the same time. Had some great times, but always finished about a day after everyone else in the ISORA races.

Went on board one 10 years later, and couldnt believe that we used to get 4 blokes on board, plus 3 bits of totty one lucky night in Howth.

Cheers

 

[Bajansailor]

I used to sail on Maybee - her then owners are now on Maybee IV, a Jeanneau 35, while the two in-betweens were an Impala and an MG 335.

7 crew sleeping (?) down below on a GK 24 must be a record!
Richard, I hope that you were one of the lucky ones re the 3 bits of totty in Howth.... I feel sorry for the poor chap who missed out - or was somebody sharing? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Richard10002]

4 crew, 7 on board. I was with one of the totty and, in reality, the guy who missed out was probably the lucky one.

 

[Bajansailor]

Oh dear! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Ooops, sorry for the drift, this thread was supposed to be about GK decks, but got side tracked to GK totties......

 

[polantom]

I have a GK24 and I know flexing of the deck is not unknown in them or indeed other boats with balsa cored decks. It is apparently a bugger to fix though. On my own boat a prevous owner had cut away the inside of the coachroof and reinforced it and it is now rock solid but I understand it was a big dirty job. I would get a quote for the work required and if you still want the boat then use the quote for negotiation.
On the plus side GK24s are great little boats for the money: fun to sail and reasonable accomodation. They do lack headroom but on the other hand moving about on deck is easy.