Should I avoid this boat?

[Cadence]

If she had been moored in a cold climate and heated, condensation will have taken it's toll as dry rot.

[Best Alternativ]

Just so you are aware, there is a HUGE difference between a wooden boat and a fiberglass boat.

Wooden boats are not for the feint of heart.

pete

[smj]

Most production boats nowadays have balsa cored hulls, are they considered wooden boats?
Would a production boat built with balsa encapsulated with polyester resin be less maintenance than a cold molded/plywood boat encapsulated with epoxy resin?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by smj

Most production boats nowadays have balsa cored hulls, are they considered wooden boats?
Would a production boat built with balsa encapsulated with polyester resin be less maintenance than a cold molded/plywood boat encapsulated with epoxy resin?

I think you mean cored decks rather than hulls, there is a big difference.

Pete

[smj]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I think you mean cored decks rather than hulls, there is a big difference.



Pete

No, hulls

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by smj

No, hulls

What large manufacturer builds with balsa cored hulls?

Some of use foam core but I don't know of any using balsa core on the hull.

But to your question, balsa core is wildly different from cold molded.

[smj]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

What large manufacturer builds with balsa cored hulls?



Some of use foam core but I don't know of any using balsa core on the hull.



But to your question, balsa core is wildly different from cold molded.

Hunter, Catalina, Lagoon, Leopard and Fountaine Pajot just to name a few.

[Muaddib1116]

Yeah, there are definitely plenty of balsa cored hulls out there. But there is a large difference between a balsa cored frp hull, or even a cold molded/plywood epoxy/glass encapsulated hull, and a straight up wood hull. The biggest is obviously moisture exposure. The outer frp skin of a cored hull, or the outer epoxy/glass layer, is a far better moisture barrier than paint.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

Yeah, there are definitely plenty of balsa cored hulls out there. But there is a large difference between a balsa cored frp hull, or even a cold molded/plywood epoxy/glass encapsulated hull, and a straight up wood hull. The biggest is obviously moisture exposure. The outer frp skin of a cored hull, or the outer epoxy/glass layer, is a far better moisture barrier than paint.

Your right and I guess it was thread drift on my part. But it’s amazing how many wooden boat naysayers actually have a balsa cored boat.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by smj

Hunter, Catalina, Lagoon, Leopard and Fountaine Pajot just to name a few.

Dunno about the cats, but I do not think that either Hunter nor Catalina have cored hulls. Decks, sure, but not hulls. Some of the TIP built boats have balsa cored hulls, but not many high production vessels employ this relatively expensive mode of construction.

Jim

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Dunno about the cats, but I do not think that either Hunter nor Catalina have cored hulls. Decks, sure, but not hulls. Some of the TIP built boats have balsa cored hulls, but not many high production vessels employ this relatively expensive mode of construction.

Jim

Correct Neither Catalina not Hunter have balsa cored hulls.

[smj]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Correct Neither Catalina not Hunter have balsa cored hulls.

Do you consider the hulls just below the waterline or from rubrail down?
If the latter then your incorrect.

[smj]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Correct Neither Catalina not Hunter have balsa cored hulls.

Here, let me help you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Passage_450

http://www.sailplace.com/wp-content/...h-Brochure.pdf

[DeValency]

Originally Posted by Donny Bahama

My intuition is that this is a solid boat. I’ve come to know the seller pretty well and he’s a straight-up, honest, good guy. Any doubts I have are rooted in my lack of knowledge about boats. I’ve only owned one boat prior to this - a 24’ Bristol Corsair that had been lovingly restored by two really good people. The boat was essentially perfect at the time we bought it, so I had no worries whatsoever. THIS boat, though, is a project... and because it’s going to be our new home, I need to make sure I’m not making a huge mistake.

My two cents here after buying 8 boats and selling 6 over the years;
First - the bottom painting etc is almost a common investment with any used boat you buy. You should look at the more serious areas, mechanical, hull & deck, tanks etc etc. Issues in these areas can cost you far more than a proper bottom paining.
1. Run a new thorough survey, hire engine surveyor if necessary. Remember that really good surveyors can hardly catch 70-80% of the potential issues.
2. Use the surveyors estimated costs for repair/replace and at least double it to calculate your bottom line cost after most things are done.
Don’t forget to consider the time it takes to do all the work (3x at least any estimate)
After that decide is the price is still very attractive and if you really like the boat - go for it.

[Donny Bahama]

Sorry I’m so late in posting this but - THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH for all your insight! I did, in fact, walk away from this boat and I will not even CONSIDER a wooden boat as... my search continues.