Another Survey Question

[SayGudday]

Gudday!

First time boat buyer, looking at a pearson triton 28 and wondering if a survey is required. It's a west coast build so, if I understand it correctly, there is no danger of blistering. The atom 4 has issues but I was planning on taking that out anyway. I'm assuming the lines and rigging will need to be replaced. So is a survey worth it?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by SayGudday

Gudday!

First time boat buyer, looking at a pearson triton 28 and wondering if a survey is required. It's a west coast build so, if I understand it correctly, there is no danger of blistering. The atom 4 has issues but I was planning on taking that out anyway. I'm assuming the lines and rigging will need to be replaced. So is a survey worth it?

If you have some knowledge of boat construction and how to identify potential problems that may affect the boat in the future.... probably not
If you don't... Most Definitely... look on it as a form of Insurance for the safety of you and yours for the immediate future

[Liam Wald]

The boat was built in the 1960's...
Definately get a survey, including a rigging inspection.
One particular point of concern is the rudder and rudder post assembly.
I know of more than one Triton that has lost it's rudder after 50 years of exposure. The rudder post may be mostly gone due to electrolysis. Also make sure to check all the thru-hulls.
Other than that the Triton is a great boat. Even if you have to spend a little money to get it right.
I had a friend back in the 80's who sailed his Triton from Ventura California to Tahiti and back.
Good luck!

[SayGudday]

boatman61 - thanks for the feedback!

Liam Wald - Thanks for the insight. Got a gut feel for how much it would cost to replace the rudder and rudder post assembly if that was indeed bad?

[S/V Illusion]

By the way, blisters aren't selective which ocean they occur in. did someone actually tell you that isn't a problem on the west coast? If so, I'd find another adviser quickly.

[SayGudday]

S/V Illusion - well in fairness (from y research anyway) it's a more 'commonly' held belief that the west coast built tritons are not as prone to blistering as the east coast builds. But I've never actually spoken to someone that OWNS a west coast build so....

[Sailmonkey]

Blisters happen on boats made of fiberglass, regardless of what coast did the layup.

[SayGudday]

Sailmonkey - thanks for the feedback.

[Prerequisite]

You might be misunderstanding what you heard. While all fiberglass boats can blister, blistering is not a concern for CERTAIN boats. For instance, Hatteras powerboats from the 70s often blister, but it's commonly held that it's not worth the cost to fix them because of the thickness and construction of the hull.

It's always worth having a survey done, even if all that comes from it is piece of mind.

[TabbyCat]

So is a survey worth it?

I assume that the boat is over ten years old, so if you want to insure it, even for liability only, a survey would be required .

[SayGudday]

TabbyCat - excellent point, thanks.

[SayGudday]

Prerequisite - I suspect you are probably right. I'm thinking that, if nothing else, a survey would give me an idea of what it would cost to get it to where I want it, maybe.

[clifford sloan]

depending on how much is involved is the key to a survey. The survey will be necessary if the boat is older and you want it insured. If you are an experienced boater and feel confident to risk the purchase price based soley upon your perceptions and observations the consequences could work against you.
All the best !
\Clif

[SayGudday]

Thanks Mate!

[hellosailor]

Gudday, if there's a problem that you don't see, it is very possible that the entire boat may need to be scrapped and hauled away as hazmat--which can be damned expensive, way more than the cost of a survey.

So having a survey, even on a cheap old boat, may save you from a mistake that could cost five or ten grand. OTOH if you know enough about structural issues to make sure there are none...you may not need the survey.