How Bad Could this Be ?

[JustThinking]

Hi all you multihull experts! Since I have no experience with multis whatsoever (but would love to switch to one for my next boat!) I am currently looking at a boat which has the following sentence in its description:

"1 x 6 stringer that reinforces the bow span between the two main hulls, needs replacement or repair.
Two of these were installed in 2004 as bow reinforcement stingers. They are about 3-4 feet long and provide support to the section of bow between the two hulls in heavy seas."

What is being talked about here - and should that be something to be scared enough of to back away immediately?

Thanks!

[sailingaway221]

Well........ for me whenever someone is selling something that needs fixing... it is too much work for them to bother with or worries them. If this is an after production add on item to reinforce the hull then obviously at some point there was either failure or concern of the strength of that section of the hull.... I am imagining that this is the front section of the bridge deck. Maybe a little more info and I would give you a better idea of what you're looking at...... A lot of cats have stringers that run longitudinally from front to back on the bottom of the bridge deck to disperse the water hitting it and provide rigidity. Not unusual that these need attention especially if the bridge deck clearance is low. However if this is something they added themselves I would imagine that this area of the boat is weak or flexing and this is what they came up with... IF it has failed and needs replacing I would be very careful about what is involved and why it keeps failing. a 1 inch by 6 inch stringer thats 4 feet long....? Doesn't sound right at all.... Is it built into other bulkheads and glassed solidly into the boat or is it kinna tacked in there in the middle of the bridge deck? No matter what I'd have an experienced multi hull boat builder or surveyor have a very close look at that and the surrounding areas.

[boatman61]

I agree.. get in an expert on multi's....
These are stringers on a Catalac9... stringers usually run the length of the boat...

[Tropic Cat]

Hmmm What happened to that Catalac?

As for the prospective boat?

IMHO Run ... don't walk... away.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

Hmmm What happened to that Catalac?

As for the prospective boat?

IMHO Run ... don't walk... away.

It got caught in 40+kts gusting 50 wind over tide situation which chucked up 12ft waves with short troughs... over one and through the next.... between Barbate and Tarifa

[boatman61]

Hi Rick.. thought you might be interested in how I set up an tillerpilot for my shorthanded/solo delivery UK to Turkey on a Catalac9....
Basically I pulled one of the bolts from the tiller assembly and replaced it with a longer one with the end ground down to fit the tiller pilot hole... screwed a wood plate on the deck and drilled a hole for the pilot to sit in... worked a treat in up to F5 on the nose and 7-8's before the wind...
Hatch had to stay open but rarely got water slopping in... for a more permanant set up one could always cut a curved slot in the hatch to match the pilots moves.
Buga... wrong pic....

[boatman61]

Ahhhh... thats the one...
I think it would work much better if the second bolt coming fwd from the rudder was used instead... shorten travel distance and loads...

[sabray]

One thing I found with earlier models (2006) the autohelm / raymarine did not like getting soaked. I think the newer ones are better. Have heard and had problems with these tiller helms in early versions. Being that the drive and circuit boards are right there one may expect problems given the difficult seal and the circuit boards so exposed.

[boatman61]

Best tiller-pilot I ever had was a Plastimo.... blew Raymarine outa the water... maybe thats why they did the takeover.
Shame they didn't use the technology

[JustThinking]

I am at loss here!
Which one of your replays is an answer to my initial question?
Or am I missing the point here?
*confused*

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by JustThinking

I am at loss here!
Which one of your replays is an answer to my initial question?
Or am I missing the point here?
*confused*

The reply uou were looking for was:
Don't walk away - run as fast as you can.

The clue is that they knew they had a problem in the first place , hence the reinforcement. If that has now been damaged as well, it has probably done more damage to the underlying structure. There is either a design fault or a manufacturing failure. I would not want to go to sea in her.

[JustThinking]

Originally Posted by Talbot

There is either a design fault or a manufacturing failure.

Hmm, thanks! That does shed a new light on the issue - even so I always thought that Prouts have a reputation for being extremely sturdy?
I am talking about this one: 1991 Prout Manta sailboat for sale in

[Talbot]

There is no mention in the advert of the problem you are refering to. Prouts do have a good reputation for strength, but some of the south african built boats (particularly the home completed ones) were very over weight, which reduced their bridgedeck clearance - something that was already not good. This will increase the likelyhood of pounding - which is probably why they needed additional stringers in the first place. It is also a possibility that this boat has been sailed hard. The emphasis on heavier mast and rigging and sails needing to be recut may be evidence of this. If so, this is another cause of pounding.

[Pete7]

I can't see were it says the stringers need replacing in the advert?

What I can see is blown out sails, staysail furling not working and the stern drive shot as are the batteries. So he has had 7 years of sailing around with little maintenance taking place and he is now looking at some big bills. Could be a bargin, if you want to completely refit her and all systems or just walk away and find something better. The cost of the refit won't be cheap and she isn't going anywhere until its done.


Pete

[JustThinking]

Originally Posted by Talbot

There is no mention in the advert of the problem you are refering to.

Nope you are right it doesn't. (Or else I probably would not have inquired about it) - That information came with more detailed specs after contacting the seller.
The boat has a lot of "don't haves" - all of which I could live with (replace /add, I can do lots myself) and which would explain the rather low price ... the only thing I really got worried about was that one sentence, especially since I was not able to imagine what they are talking about.
But I guess I'll just take your advice and forget about this one and either keep searching or go for that 40' monohull that already did accept the price I suggested. (Only downsides: No Cat and no aft-cabin which I consider the ultimate for privacy on a small boat)