How serious is or isn't this?

[jbuote]

Was looking at a boat, and saw this.. Is this just "Normal" gelcoat crazing that hasn't been addressed over time, or is this something much more serious?
​There's some dirt on and in the cracks too.. I was able to wipe the dirt away, but it's in the cracking slightly..

 

[tednv]

what part of the boat is this on and what type of boat is it? i almost got a "really good deal" on a boat that had a transom that looked like that, luckily i was smart enough to walk away

 

[fishin98]

Personally .....I would look at a different boat.

 

[jbuote]

center hull, of a Tri-hull.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah, we need more details on the Age of the Boat, location of the spider webbing and what you're looking for in a boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would look at a different boat.

That is way beyond any normal spider web cracking, especially with the darkened color

 

[tpenfield]

Best to move on to a different boat.

 

[jbuote]

I was confused by "look at other boats".. Then I realized, I said I was looking at "a" boat. I meant, "My" boat. It's a 67' Cruisers inc tri hull bow-rider style, 15 footer. I picked it up last August. Hull, Engine, and Trailer for $450. 71' Johnson 50hp. I figured the engine and the trailer were easily worth the money even if the hull wasn't.
Engine runs, but tuning it now..

​In any event, I'm wondering how deep the issue is with this crazing/cracking.. I plan on doing a "Float Test" on it soon with the engine and all.
​If I can use it as is for a season perhaps, or sand and paint/patch the cracks that'd be great. I have NO intention of leaving it moored. It would be trailered in, used, and trailered out end of day and let dry..

​I would like to know if this is something I can work on in the off season and fix, or if I should plan on looking for a new hull for next season.,
​I slightly more than 1/2 expect to be looking at a new hull for next season anyway, so..... lol

​I'm mostly using it for getting out on local lakes/ponds to fish off of. No towing/tubing/skiing.. Just getting to and from fishing spots...

​Sorry for the confusion.....

 

[jbuote]

No Title

Here's some overview pics of whole boat... And yes... It may have qualified for the Funny Boat Ads forum page at the time, but I didn't know... LOL
​Still. Engine and trailer are worth the money. Trailer tows, and engine runs.. .haha!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would weigh your boat on a scale. I bet you find that it weights about 400# more than it should

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree ^^^ You need to do a thorough inspection of the transom and deck. Soft spots and or discolorations could be a sign of bigger issues. The spiderwebbing is more cosmetic than anything. If you can live with it and the stringers, deck and transom are sound then you can use the boat with out fear. But, is suspect she's HIDING some issues that need to be addressed.

 

[sphelps]

I kinda like it ... The tall windshield would protect ya from wind and spray a good bit ... I bet in it's prime it was a nice little tri-hull ..
They are a good stable boat when standing and casting .. It will beat ya up a bit when the water gets choppy though .
The thing is as others have said you need to check the stringers deck and transom.. That's most important ....

 

[jbuote]

scott, What would be the best way to weigh it? I know I could take the trailer with boat on it to local waste management for a total weight, then put her in water, go back and weigh empty trailer. That'd be the best. But would it be OK to splash her with those cracks? I'm thinking yes, for the float test and weighing, but looking for thought on that before I do splash her at all...

​@Wood & sphelps... So what's the best way to check transom, stringers and decking? When I was looking at her originally, I walked and put weight everywhere I could step on the deck. Intentionally went to the corners at transom and all along the sides... Nothing budged.. No flexing that I could tell. As for transom, I pulled up on the motor and the transom didn't seem to bow, flex, or move at all.. Also did the screwdriver tapping thing.. No dull thuds that I could find...
​As for the stringers, the research I've done on this hull so far seems to indicate the stringers are wood wrapped in glass, and should be foam flotation I think it was. (Balsa was a flotation option for the year too, but the max HP is 80, and that max hp listed foam as floatation.)

​What is the best way to know for sure if she really is hiding things on me?
​I really appreciate the help. I got lots of help in the engine section, and learned enough that I actually was able to answer a couple questions for others!
​(That felt good! lol)

​Anyway.. I thank you guys, and look forward to your thoughts and suggestions...

 

[Scott Danforth]

put the whole thing on the scale, get a weight. then simply subtract what the trailer weighs.

tapping doesn't do squat

you need to make some test drills into the transom and stringers. if the wood shavings come out light colored and dry, fill the test holes up with marine tex or other epoxy putty. if they come out wet and dark, then you have issues

I like to use a 5/16" drill with a bit of tape wrapped around the end so I only drill 5/8" deep. dont drill into the hull, just the transom down low and a few stringers. drill about once every 6 inches about an inch up from the hull. I do like to make a drill hole down low thru the stringer into the foam flotation chambers. if you get water pouring out, that is bad

 

[jbuote]

Thanks Scott!
​I'll make some test drills, hopefully before dark today.. You're talking about drilling all from the inside of the boat right? Low at the deck inside on transom or did you mean from the outside, an inch up from bottom of hull, below inside deck?
​I know the stringer drill test will be inside down through decking right? Just have to figure out where the stringers are, so I hit one and not an empty pocket.
​(If I'm understanding how this is supposed to work.. lol)

​As for the weight, That's the thing... Not sure how much the trailer weighs by itself.. Don't know how much weight to subtract from total... Could guesstimate it, but......

 

[ATXastro]

Aaand that's why these forums are so valuable....had not thought of weighing the boat to ascertain possible water in bulkheads

 

[jbuote]

Well,
​Between work and weather, I haven't been able to drill to check the transom and stringers yet. Hopefully soon...
​I found posts all stating to drill from the inside, Low, on the transom, so that answers that question, and confirms my thought.

​The stringers though.. How would I know how many I have, and where they should be located so I can check them?

​Also, did more research on my boat, and while it was sold to me as a 67 Cruisers inc, I think my research says it's either a 69 or 70 Cruisers inc, 1532 Camero.
​I base that on a spec sheet I found. My capacity plates has max HP rating of 80. the only 80hp max I see on the spec sheet is for 69 and 70. Both have the same LOA, and beam as what I have... Both are FB construction, with foam flotation.

​Any hints as to the stringer locations and quantity? May seem like a silly question, but I'm still so very new to all this.. lol

​Thanks!!

 

[jbuote]

Well,
​I figured out where the stringers are, and did my test drills.
​Much to my surprise, based on comments and further reading about it, they all actually came out light and dry.
​Filled them up with Marine Epoxy to reseal.

​I can only guess that either it was built REALLY well, It was covered well/garaged a LOT, or perhaps it was redone relatively recently...

​In any event, I'll take it, and finish getting the engine going and float test her..
​This boat is really one I picked up to cut my teeth on to get familiar with boating, maintenance etc... before I put out big cash for a bigger/new boat anyway!

​Before I float test, Do I really need to do anything with that crazing/spiderwebbing? If everything else goes well with the test, I'm thinking I'll redo the outside of the hull anyway..

Thoughts?
​Thanks!!

 

[jbuote]

To close this out too.... (Long overdue, my apologies..)

While I had dry shavings in my core samples, I've since found the port side outer hull cracking where the side and hull meet..
Either I didn't do my cores right, or something else is up...

I've effectively retired her now, and am debating a rebuild..
Heart wants to... We'll see..

Thanks for all the help here!

 

[mickyryan]

nothing like a good project, almost anything is fixable , just takes money and time, if you like the boat , fix it