Should I don't buy the boat because of this?

[vicpr25]

Today I went to see a beautiful boat, a Contest 30, it really look beautiful the interior wood (by the look of the wood it seems it has never got any water). But when I looked at the bilge area I saw some fixes and some broken fiberglass. I started sailing this year but I don't have the experience of owning a boat. This would be my first. I don't know if this means something wrong structurally or something, would this be something that someone would decide not to buy the boat?

I'll attach some pictures of the boat plus the pictures of the bilge area..

[5BTM]

Unless it has an encapsulated keel, the keel bolts are gone.

Seeing damage like that I would assume a hard hit and pass on the boat.

[stormalong]

Is the ballast internal or external. If external I agree with 5BTM. If internal it could just be sealing the ballast to keep water out.

After answering the question above ask the seller about it. And if serious about buying it get a surveyor to look at it.

[George_SD]

The last picture doesn't look OK to me, I would pass.

[Orion Jim]

Ask for the “before” photos. If nothing was documented then either run away or hire a surveyor if the boat is otherwise exceptional.
Contests were overbuilt and sailed exceptionally well, the Contest 30 heeled quite a bit before stiffening up but always felt capable of blue water cruising.

[vicpr25]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Ask for the “before” photos. If nothing was documented then either run away or hire a surveyor if the boat is otherwise exceptional.
Contests were overbuilt and sailed exceptionally well, the Contest 30 heeled quite a bit before stiffening up but always felt capable of blue water cruising.

The boat looks exceptional on everything else, at least for me. Apparently had the rigging serviced around 2020, the sails are in good condition, the atomic 8 atomic 4 started right away, the wood didn't show sign of water intrusion, is that big crack that concerns me.

Other users asked if the keel is encapsulated, unfortunately, I don't know. I've been trying to find more info about the boat online but couldn't find much.

[jeanathon]

Originally Posted by vicpr25

The boat looks exceptional on everything else, at least for me. Apparently had the rigging serviced around 2020, the sails are in good condition, the atomic 8 started right away, the wood didn't show sign of water intrusion, is that big crack that concerns me.

Other users asked if the keel is encapsulated, unfortunately, I don't know. I've been trying to find more info about the boat online but couldn't find much.

Atomic 8? Is that the one with twice the cylinders of the Atomic 4?
Does not look like an encapsulated keel to me. Take a knowledgeable friend with you to look at it, or just buy it. As the French say, "When it comes to love you don't count the cost."

[vicpr25]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

Atomic 8? Is that the one with twice the cylinders of the Atomic 4?
Does not look like an encapsulated keel to me. Take a knowledgeable friend with you to look at it, or just buy it. As the French say, "When it comes to love you don't count the cost."

Sorry, atomic 4..

[5BTM]

Are you familiar with Monthy Python's dead parrot sketch?
The parrot is dead but has "pretty plumage"

Look at the guts, ignore the bling.

[s/v Jedi]

I think it’s encapsulated ballast but surely there’s a Contest forum where they know?

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Ask for the “before” photos. If nothing was documented then either run away or hire a surveyor if the boat is otherwise exceptional.
Contests were overbuilt and sailed exceptionally well, the Contest 30 heeled quite a bit before stiffening up but always felt capable of blue water cruising.

Over 5,000 surveys and I've never seen an overbuilt boat.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I think it’s encapsulated ballast but surely there’s a Contest forum where they know?

Looks encapsulated to me too and with concrete in the ballast mix.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Over 5,000 surveys and I've never seen an overbuilt boat.

Never surveyed a Contest 30, or is it the term “overbuilt” with which you take exception? I know I left that Roget’s Thesaurus somewhere…

[Don C L]

Which Contest 30 is this? The old one or less old one? The older one looks like it has an encapsulated ballast. Although I used to think that encapsulated ballast was very resistant to damage, I was set straight in this thread:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...on-2930-3.html
(see post 43 especially)

If you have ANY doubts, don't buy her until you have a qualified surveyor look at that keel from the inside and out, on the hard, IMO.

[vicpr25]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Which Contest 30 is this? The old one or less old one? The older one looks like it has an encapsulated ballast. Although I used to think that encapsulated ballast was very resistant to damage, I was set straight in this thread:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...on-2930-3.html
(see post 43 especially)

If you have ANY doubts, don't buy her until you have a qualified surveyor look at that keel from the inside and out, on the hard, IMO.

It's being advertised as the 1972 Contest 30 Mark II.