Specific question regarding an old Dufour Arpege

[slemieux]

Hello,

I'm considering to buy a 1975 Dufour Arpege as my first sailboat. I've read comments posted on this thread with interest! Thanks to all who posted there, it was really useful to me.

I've visited the Arpege I'm considering and took a few photos. I've put them online here.

I'd like opinions on the following details:

0007: Storage legs have left nasty marks on the hull. What is needed to repair that?

0013: Missing handle in the cockpit, how easy is it to find replacement parts like that?

0075: Trace of water on the ceiling of the cabin, coming down from the little holes we see. The spots will be easily washed, but does it indicates possible leaks from the deck?

0079: Base of the stanchions show signs of wear, the one on the photo is the worst. How easy is that to repair? The stanchions are a bit wobbly.

What I'd like is to get an idea of how big a repair these can be. I will definitely have a survey made to uncover the kind of things that I can't see myself.

Sebastien L.

 

[ebbtide]

Re: Dufour Arpege

Where are you? Where is the boat?
Have very fond memories - see comments last August.
Could contribute, including sailing.
PM me for more.

 

[ShaunG]

Ok,

0007 - difficult to tell from the photo, have a look around for stress cracks in the gelcoat as a start

0013 - nothing to worry about, should be a standard size stainless tube, can be bought anywhere, the manafaturer ones have a ball on the end but not essential

0075 and 0079 could be related, 0075 is a little worrying and would require the roof lining down for further investigation, there appears to be quite a lot of water there and you do need to dig deeper. 0079 does not look good but should be relativly easy to repair for a fibreglass guy. As was metioned in the other post i would be more concerend about water leaking into the balsa core from the damage, this could be the cause of the water damage in 0075. A fibreglass guy should be able to give you a good estimate for the repairs, i cannot see each base costing more than £75 to repair

 

[Twister_Ken]

0007 - is this on the underwater section. If so, just slap on some primer and antifoul when you do the normal antifouling.

0013. Any chandler.

0075. Wash it off and see if it comes back. If it does, then draw the surveyor's attention to it. Likely to be deck leaks, almost certainly originating from one or more deck fittings, but maybe from stress cracks. This could be a BIG worry, maybe even a deal breaker, if water has penetrated into the core material and started some delamination. Alternative, and less worrying, is that it may be condensation above the headlining, which has led the foam on the back of the headlining to decay, creating brown gunk. Then you're looking at replacing headlining, a nuisance but not normally a deal-breaker.

0079. Pretty straightforward repair, BUT it may also have allowed water into the core, and started some delamination.

 

[slemieux]

Thanks a lot for all the very rapid and informed feedback! I've found indications elsewhere that the deck is probably made from foam sandwich instead of balsa. Does that have any bearing on possible delamination and ways to fix this?

Here is the link: http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/dufour-arpege/arpege.htm

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

No... a foam can delaminate the same as a balsa core.... but typically less destructively (the balsa rots).... both however, can be quite a major undertaking to repair... a good tip is to examine the whole deck carefully by sighting along it for raised or depressed areas, and also walking putting weight everywhere you stand and look for movement... there should be none at all....

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

In the current market, i'd be tempted to walk immediately if there is any sign of delamination... there will be other boats out there.... generally, the price reduction for these kinds of issues doesn't cover the eventual cost of repairs..... as things that get ignored, such as new headlinings if the foam has disintegrated can costs significant amounts of money... but then again... sometimes a real bargain can be had if you are prepared to put the work in and do lots of it yourself rather than farm out to professionals....

 

[ebbtide]

Re: old Dufour Arpege

Did I miss something? Like you're in Canada!!

You should have stated that initially, not allowed peeps to volunteer assistance assuming you're within reach.

Have you found last August's informative thread on this very same topic?