strange marks in fibreglass help

pvb said:
It would cost a lot to cosmetically rectify that lot. Unless it's really ridiculously cheap, I'd walk away from it, as unless it's professionally fixed the next prospective buyer will have exactly the same concerns. Lots of other boats on the market.
Click to expand...


Yes plenty of other boats. However only a couple in the U.k of this certain boat below 100'000.

I value the boat at 80'000 in good condition (100'000 advertisement price) .

This boat is a fair less that 80'000 as it is far from good condition on the exterior so the price reflects this (outside trim and engines are very good tho) . I am a very fussy person and im trying to decide if i should spend (what seems like its going to be a fair few quid) getting this boat in A1 condition. When im finsihed with this boat it will be one of the best on the market but im worried just how much money it will cost to get it there !
 
If you're a fussy person, that I would suggest that you walk away and pay full wack for one that's been a cherished teddy.
 
mattysupra said:
Yes plenty of other boats. However only a couple in the U.k of this certain boat below 100'000.

I value the boat at 80'000 in good condition (100'000 advertisement price) .

This boat is a fair less that 80'000 as it is far from good condition on the exterior so the price reflects this (outside trim and engines are very good tho) . I am a very fussy person and im trying to decide if i should spend (what seems like its going to be a fair few quid) getting this boat in A1 condition. When im finsihed with this boat it will be one of the best on the market but im worried just how much money it will cost to get it there !
Click to expand...

It's not a DIY job, it's a hugely skilled fibreglass technician job. Why not ask a pro for an estimate of what it would cost?
 
My 35 year old boat has this in a couple of places. It's not structural, purely cosmetic but it's not possible to polish it out without taking large amounts of gelcoat in the process.
Theories abound as to the cause, UV damage, scratching from over zealous attempts at cleaning, use of a power washer, polyestermite etc etc.
The repair would be either flowcoat or paint. On my boat there is little enough that I can avoid looking at it but with the amount on that boat I suspect you would need a complete respray of the deck and superstructure, very expensive.
 
Bobc said:
If you're a fussy person, that I would suggest that you walk away and pay full wack for one that's been a cherished teddy.
Click to expand...

Thats the problem :D

I know that even if the boat was one year old i would find bits i dont like and pay someone to sort out. Parents are also buying a new boat at moment, looked at a almost new V42 direct from princess and found loads of bits that would annoy me and also a F42/5 that we walked away from which both broker and dealer classed as 'mint' condition.

I would normally walk away but i really dont think i would find a boat in the condition i want without spending money on it. Hence im considering this one and going the full hog on it.

I currently have a 36 Sunseeker and ended up spending close to 40k on it over the last year. I will never get my money back but its like a new boat now. I have always been like it, used to be cars, i restored a very rare Nissan Skyline 2 years ago and it won Best Skyline in Europe.

Need to lower my standards i guess !
 
pcatterall said:
seconded; he may indicate a method that you could DIY. If I had the boat then I would investigate and do a trial fix on a small easy area, see how it lasts and take it from there.
Click to expand...

Dont think i would go the DIY route. In-fact im 99% sure i wont, i will pay someone to do it. I simply don't have the time anymore, what time i do have i want to spend relaxing on my boat.
 
alahol2 said:
My 35 year old boat has this in a couple of places. It's not structural, purely cosmetic but it's not possible to polish it out without taking large amounts of gelcoat in the process.
Theories abound as to the cause, UV damage, scratching from over zealous attempts at cleaning, use of a power washer, polyestermite etc etc.
The repair would be either flowcoat or paint. On my boat there is little enough that I can avoid looking at it but with the amount on that boat I suspect you would need a complete respray of the deck and superstructure, very expensive.
Click to expand...


Dont want it painted. My current boat i had fully painted and never been 100% happy with it. Problem is if you are to damage it you cant polish back out like gelcoat.

Whats this flowcoat? is that a new gelcoat?
 
mattysupra said:
Dont think i would go the DIY route. In-fact im 99% sure i wont, i will pay someone to do it. I simply don't have the time anymore, what time i do have i want to spend relaxing on my boat.
Click to expand...

But you won't even be able to do that if some fibreglass hero is spending months fixing it! Walk away.
 
The cracks at the right angle GRP positions look like "hinging" where the GRP flexes. The top pictures look like crazing to me from the sun, based on other pictures of Rival yachts which had the same issue. The hull is 23 years old and it may have had a good battering at sea, bouncing about quite merrily at speed, not a problem in itself. The "hinging" information came from Ian Nicolson's book on surveying.
 
Can anyone recommend someone who can quote this for me?

Boat on South coast at moment, ideally i need someone down there to quote in next few days so i can decide if i buy the boat or not. Not sure if i get the boat repaired while its down south ( i think i will do this) or get it done when it arrives at its new home (Gloucester )
 
mattysupra said:
Can anyone recommend someone who can quote this for me?

Boat on South coast at moment, ideally i need someone down there to quote in next few days so i can decide if i buy the boat or not. Not sure if i get the boat repaired while its down south ( i think i will do this) or get it done when it arrives at its new home (Gloucester )
Click to expand...

I think you will be lucky to find someone to take this on mainly for two reasons. Firstly it is a massive undertaking and isn't as profitable as smaller jobs or knocking out mouldings, and secondly, you admitted you are a perfectionist and without seeing it in the flesh I will stick my neck out and say that repairing the gel will not deliver as good a job as good prep and paint would. That means you would be disappointed and there is nothing worse than taking on a job for a customer whose expectations are greater than the achievable.

I am not trying to be rude, just honest.
 
pvb said:
Good, you'll need it! But understand that you'll never be happy with the standard of the other boat, even if it's professionally rectified.
Click to expand...

Why ? When repaired will you be able to see it still ?

Anyone know if it's repaired that other areas will start to show this problem or would of these cracks appeared years ago ?
 
Matty, if you can find faults in a brand new V42, trust me, you're NOT going to be happy with it even if the best fibreglass repairer in the world had a go!

I happen to have one of these T shirts in my wardrobe. Here's Avocet's topsides 6 years ago:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/Avocet1/PICT0029.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/Avocet1/PICT0027.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/Avocet1/PICT0020.jpg

I absolutely agree with BlowingOldBoots that it looks like you have a combination of stress cracking (at the bottoms of the internal corners) and UV damage. Have a look at some areas that aren't really exposed to the sunlight as much. If I'm right, they won't have nearly so much damage. It took me 6 years to replace Avocet's gelcoat with a mixture of epoxy and microballoons, then paint. I was lucky, I was working with a relatively simple external hull shape. Getting into all those nooks and crannies and expecting it to look like new afterwards is, in my view, unrealistic.
 
Last edited:
I have to accept that its a 1990's boat. It will never be a brand new boat. Yes im fussy but i will accept minor blemishes on 1990 boat.

Saying that it all depends on how bad they are. Obviously if i know where it has been repaired im sure i will find them. But would the average person?

The thing with the V42 was there was repairs to the inside counter tops etc. I run a training centre that teaches repairs that was done on the V42 and i found them straight away. I know for a fact that if i or one of my staff had done these repairs that i would not of found them unless told exactly where they are. Basically poor workmanship. Anyway, lets forget that V42.

I have had another good look around the net at other boats for sale. For what im saving on this boat i think i can allow around £6000 to have the gelcoat repaired. Is this realistic? what about if i do go the paint route and have the whole boat painted? the boat is 44 feet long.

What i need to try and decide (the bit im having a problem with ) is do i buy the more expensive one and probably end up spending money on the gelcoat anyway. Also this boat has only 30 hrs on the new engines and is fully loaded. It has new trim etc. The other boat does not.

Who can repair this boat for me? who is the best out there?
 
Who can repair this boat for me? who is the best out there?

Someone with a big shed for a start (which you'll be paying for) - I can see 20-25k+ being spent on this if you go the paint route any one else hazard an estimate ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

johnphilip
Self tappers spinning in fibreglass hollow sections
2
Replies
32
Views
712
mikegunn
M
W
Diesel heater burner mat
Replies
6
Views
194
trialframe
T
D
Galvanic Isolator location
Replies
5
Views
317
Alex_Blackwood
Alex_Blackwood
A
Newbie question!
Replies
9
Views
483
Jacana139
Jacana139

Share this page

Top