Moisture in the core

[fwebster]

I think Sea Ray must hold some kind of record for producing the highest volume of now rotten cored decks. Or maybe it was just a 90's phase for them but man ohh man there are a lot of wet ones out there.

I think a more accurate statement is that most Sea Ray owners are lazy or un educated when it comes to maintaining deck penetrations. That isn't the fault of Sea Ray, but it lays at the feet of their dealers for failure to educate their buyers in the need to periodically rebel any deck penetration where something is mounted.

 

[sbw1]

Ya. Blame the customer.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I think a more accurate statement is that most Sea Ray owners are lazy or un educated when it comes to maintaining deck penetrations. That isn't the fault of Sea Ray, but it lays at the feet of their dealers for failure to educate their buyers in the need to periodically rebel any deck penetration where something is mounted.

The only thing the customer is guilty of is thinking sea ray was a premium brand (like it was marketed as being) absolutely no excuse for leaving exposed core material around hatches, vents and other hull penetrations - let alone other manufacturing short cuts - I think you've drank the kool-aid a little too long

 

[firecadet613]

The only thing the customer is guilty of is thinking sea ray was a premium brand (like it was marketed as being) absolutely no excuse for leaving exposed core material around hatches, vents and other hull penetrations - let alone other manufacturing short cuts - I think you've drank the kool-aid a little too long

How do you guys think most boat brands install snaps, thru hulls and the like? They drill a hole, dab some sealant on it and put the screw/snap in.

Years ago, I failed one boat over a survey that showed a wet foredeck, I'm betting those bow sunpad snaps had never been rebedded. After having a 33' for 5 years and not once using the sunpads, I pull the snaps off the bow of my 37', filled the holes with epoxy and covered it with gelcoat. Now I have 12 less spots for water to get to the core.

Part of owing a boat is rebedding items - or paying someone to do that for you!

 

[Ididntdoit]

I did not say stuff didn't need to be re-bedded - but exposed balsa core under a plastic engine vent or raw plywood around a winlass opening is lazy and pathetic

 

[firecadet613]

I did not say stuff didn't need to be re-bedded - but exposed balsa core under a plastic engine vent or raw plywood around a winlass opening is lazy and pathetic

Agree 100%! Savvy boat owners check all that stuff within the first few years of buying any boat, seal it with epoxy and then bed it properly. It's too cheap not too!

 

[Ididntdoit]

Agree 100%! Savvy boat owners check all that stuff within the first few years of buying any boat, seal it with epoxy and then bed it properly. It's too cheap not too!

A decent builder will not let things like that out the door - that was my only point

 

[firecadet613]

A decent builder will not let things like that out the door - that was my only point

I've toured 3 boat builders - no one takes the time to do that, they slap some sealant on and install the part.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I've toured 3 that do it........guess we need to agree to disagree - enough with the Hi-jack here

 

[RollerCoastr]

Sea Ray doesn’t install deck hardware with the expectation that owners will re-bed it. They install it with the expectation that the hull/deck warranty will expire before the owner realizes there’s an issue.

 

[boatman37]

After just installing a windlass on our 2006 Crownline there are 3 layers of plywood at the front bulkhead and holes cut in them where the speakers go. The outer layer (closest to the anchor locker) had gelcoat or something white smeared around the cut edge. The 2 inner layers had nothing but it wasn't exposed to the locker. You can see it in this pic. It looked like they did a sloppy job but the bottom part was covered.

 

[firecadet613]

After just installing a windlass on our 2006 Crownline there are 3 layers of plywood at the front bulkhead and holes cut in them where the speakers go. The outer layer (closest to the anchor locker) had gelcoat or something white smeared around the cut edge. The 2 inner layers had nothing but it wasn't exposed to the locker. You can see it in this pic. It looked like they did a sloppy job but the bottom part was covered.

Four Winns uses that same sealant on many of their cutouts. On my last boat, it failed where the two cockpit table cutouts were. That was a nice repair when the engine hatch got soft.

I bet you can guess what I addressed first on my current boat!

@Joint Custody keep us posted!

 

[techmitch]

Thanks all for the input.

I have given him all the cons to buying this boat and that he should just wait for the right one to come along. He doesn't get it and is moving forward with the purchase.

On top of fixing the hull ... after he has a cut and buff done and other fiberglass repaired , new bottom paint, both engines serviced , drives gone through new bellows, gimbals ...etc... , new injectors for port motor and all the other stuff that comes with a boat that has been neglected for 6+ years. He will be spending around 25k or more for all repairs, service and upgrades ... buying the boat for 70k.
He will be in a 2002 34ft boat for around 95k to 100k.

I have explained that when the market turns in a year or two that boat will only be worth 60k at best.

This is a great scenario of someone that falls in love with the boat and wont and cant hear any of the advice the service shop and fiberglass shop is giving him as well with friends.

Now if he was getting the boat for 30k or 40k I could maybe see doing it.

Some men, you just can't reach.

 

[mwph]

Some men, you just can't reach.

Classic.
Truer words have never been spoken.