How new before Osmosis is not a problem?

[jimg]

I was quite shocked to read Scubaman's thread and his survey of a Fleming 53.

As a ex-owner of a Fleming I was suprised to hear that it suffered from osmosis and water ingress into the cored decks.

I know in the early days GRP hulls were prone to this but I thought that manufacturers had solved most of these problems.

The site states:-

Solid Fiberglass Hulls

Flemings feature hand laid-up, solid fiberglass hulls reinforced by an interlocking matrix of frames and full-length, box-section stringers. This robust stiffening system creates a hull that will not flex, even when under stress during severe conditions. Solid glass construction also provides superior impact resistance. The finest vinylester resins are used to resist water intrusion and prevent blistering.


So was this a one off or is the problem of osmosis still lurking out there?
I only ask as you rarely hear of osmosis in "modern" boats.

 

[jfm]

I dunno but remember Piers Fleming 55 (bought new, about 2005) had a bunch of gelcoat ripped off at the factory and replaced, and this resulted in some funny moisture readings iirc and Fleming had to sort it out under warranty. Or something like that. I wouldn't automatically assume the chinese/taiwanese who build Fleming boats as contract manufacturers have got the right quality control in place...

 

[scubaman]

It was a 1991 boat so things have probably (hopefully) moved on since then.

Also the hull on this particular boat has flexed quite a bit as there were proper stress cracks on many areas.

The cored decks water ingress was due to the teak being screwed in place. The water had gotten into the core through screws that have lifted. AFAIK early Grand Banks's have suffered from the same problem. I think GB changed this at around that time.

I'm not sure that even boats new today are safe from osmosis after 20 years in the water as long as current materials are used.

 

[jimg]

It was a 1991 boat so things have probably (hopefully) moved on since then.

Also the hull on this particular boat has flexed quite a bit as there were proper stress cracks on many areas.

The cored decks water ingress was due to the teak being screwed in place. The water had gotten into the core through screws that have lifted. AFAIK early Grand Banks's have suffered from the same problem. I think GB changed this at around that time.

I'm not sure that even boats new today are safe from osmosis after 20 years in the water as long as current materials are used.

Mine was a 1991 boat and ended up in Florida when I sold it, so definitely not mine, unless of course it has found it's way back here!

However my boat and I think a few others did suffer from hull flexing in a heavy sea. It was in the area of the portside cabin and actually caused the teak woodwork to split.

Hopefully they sorted that problem.

 

[DAKA]

I dunno but remember Piers Fleming 55 (bought new, about 2005) had a bunch of gelcoat ripped off at the factory and replaced, and this resulted in some funny moisture readings iirc and Fleming had to sort it out under warranty. Or something like that. I wouldn't automatically assume the chinese/taiwanese who build Fleming boats as contract manufacturers have got the right quality control in place...

I dont have any knowledge about the flemming warranty but when my 1990 Bayliner had Osmosis (somewhere between year 2 and 4) the Bayliner warranty did not cover the osmosis as it wasnt deemed to significantly affect the performance.

Perhaps flemmings agreed to effect repairs in order to safeguard their reputation/client connection rather than a warranty issue as such.

I heard the Bayliner issue was due to cheap unskilled mexican labour putting the moulds out in cold night temperatures which condensates when put warm indoors to start the layup.

Bayliner were actually decades ahead of the industry in terms of modern materials been used and modern techniques that should have applied.
.

 

[scubaman]

Mine was a 1991 boat and ended up in Florida when I sold it, so definitely not mine, unless of course it has found it's way back here!

However my boat and I think a few others did suffer from hull flexing in a heavy sea. It was in the area of the portside cabin and actually caused the teak woodwork to split.

Hopefully they sorted that problem.

It wasn't yours then.

It was a lovely boat and what I do regret slightly is that if I'd had the hull done and decks cured it would have lasted another 30 years and still would have been a bit of a bargain...

 

[oldgit]

Osmosis

Always worth a look if nothing better to do on cold Easter weekend.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/index.html

 

[jimg]

Always worth a look if nothing better to do on cold Easter weekend.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/index.html

I will get the grandchildren checking it while I eat their Easter eggs!!

 

[burgundyben]

However my boat and I think a few others did suffer from hull flexing in a heavy sea. It was in the area of the portside cabin and actually caused the teak woodwork to split.

I was on board a 55 in 1992 when exactly that happened.

 

[jimg]

I was on board a 55 in 1992 when exactly that happened.

Hopefully they have done something about it now?

 

[burgundyben]

Hopefully they have done something about it now?

The boat in question was fixed at the time.

I'm not sure what was done about the design, in fairness, we say over 70 knots across the deck and some bloody great waves, I'm not sure many boats would have put up with it without damage in some way or other.

I didn't know that others had suffered the same, I did many thousands of miles on board as crew at the age of 20, a Fleming 55 is a bloody nice boat.

 

[jimg]

My Fleming was damaged when it was out in fairly rough weather, but have been out in smaller boats in worse conditions.

Not sure why it happened and damage to the fitted furniture was pretty horrific!