Gaps in the hull to deck joint

Tranona said:
Well, it has managed 22 years without falling apart and would guess that it has been like that from new. Amazing how one can draw such a definitive view of structural integrity from just one photo if a small section of the deck. Who needs a surveyor?
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You are assuming the boat has been actively sailed. Some boats never go anywhere so structural integrity is not an issue. I know of two boat here in the Caribbean that have done the easy route to the Caribbean across the pond with leaking toerails. Not leaking from the bolts but fron the hull to deck joint. It means taking the toerail off to fix
 
Based on the two photos we can only make guesses. It is up to OP to check or make further inquiries, or just walk away. Here is another possible cause, the toe rail may have been ripped off, leaving a torn up deck laminate, and the toe rail has been replaced without any repair of the deck. OP should look for radiating hairline cracks around the toe rail screws and failed seam from the inside, to verify or discard this possibility. If there is no visible cracks, then this hypothesis is unlikely.
This outer rim of the deck is without a core. The two skins are joined together in a single laminate. They have the same tensile strength as the rest of the deck, but not the stiffness. This rim is supported by the hull flange, so that is ok. Before it is glued to this flange, it is quite bendy.
It is not so that OP should seek comfort in this, say a prayer and buy the boat, but check.
 
eilerts said:
Here is another possible cause, the toe rail may have been ripped off, leaving a torn up deck laminate, and the toe rail has been replaced without any repair of the deck.
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+1. Compare the wear and tear visible in the GRP moulding, particularly around the base of the fitting, with the complete lack of any wear, scratches or oxidation in the alloy. The toerail is obviously a recent replacement: the boat has most certainly NOT been sailing around like this since build, and the affected area needs some thorough investigation, both above deck and below. Looks like the port quarter, so check for any dampness in the linings in the aft cabin or discolouration of the varnish on the longitudinal shelf above the berth.
 
Another +1. It might be a longstanding insignificant problem but you don't know. Evidence of repair or leakage is a good start point. Screenshot_20230205_130619.jpg
Assuming the construction is as above then I find it hard to believe a gap like that should open up. It implies the deck and hull join have distorted between fastenings, due to deck loading (high foot traffic area?) or core decay. Is it isolated to one small area or all over the boat?

A survey might reveal more and help you to bargain or walk away. Deck repairs are not simple or cheap.
 
The toerail does look suspiciously new compared to the deck moulding. Re the drawing in the previous post: I think this toreail extrusion goes down over the hull side, and may be held down with self-tappers instead of machine screws and nuts. Certainly slightly later Jeanneaus use self tappers.
 
I had to do a bit of research on this (hence, house cleaning postponed (y))
Here is a picture I found on the net of a Jeanneau S O 43.2 ("Jupiter"). It seems to have the same waviness of the deck edge as the one discussed here. Unless we are looking at the exact same boat, this suggests that it is related to the production. I also fund a picture of an Italian one, but not so clear. Both are 2001.

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eilerts said:
I had to do a bit of research on this (hence, house cleaning postponed (y))
Here is a picture I found on the net of a Jeanneau S O 43.2 ("Jupiter"). It seems to have the same waviness of the deck edge as the one discussed here. Unless we are looking at the exact same boat, this suggests that it is related to the production. I also fund a picture of an Italian one, but not so clear. Both are 2001.

8_large.jpg
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I definitely think it's lack of grp thickness under the toerail. I simply can't imagine this happening with a decent amount of layup in that area. If the laminate has dropped between the bolt fixings then how certain can anybody be that the adhesive under the torail is still sound? It might not be a problem today but a problem stored up for the future especially if the boat has been lightly sailed to date. It might not manifest itself until that breezy beat to windward and you find seawater below
 
Thank you all for your valuable feedback. The owner refused to continue the selling process.

The deformation is along the rails on both port and starboard sides. The boat shown in the pictures of eilerts is a different one.
 
Tranona said:
Well, it has managed 22 years without falling apart and would guess that it has been like that from new. Amazing how one can draw such a definitive view of structural integrity from just one photo if a small section of the deck. Who needs a surveyor?
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Just what I was thinking , I’m glad it’s not my boat as I never sell it to this lot on here .
 
Yannis said:
Thank you all for your valuable feedback. The owner refused to continue the selling process.

The deformation is along the rails on both port and starboard sides. The boat shown in the pictures of eilerts is a different one.
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He probably been reading the posting here and decided he going to have a lot of hassle .
:) .
 
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