fg how long

[ksmith]

What can happen to a fiberglass hull with no mainteance for 20 years in saltwater? Can there be saturation? Break down of the material?

[Talbot]

really depends on the resins used and the quality of the lay-up in the first place, plus any treatments to the hull. Temperature is also a factor.

With a 20 year old hull, it is unlikely to be a cored hull, as most back then were a solid core. Therefore th worst that is likely to have happened will be osmosis - and that will be immediately evident as soon as the boat is taken out of the water and cleaned off.

No boat has ever sunk due to osmosis!

However, I would be very suspicious of through hulls and especially any metalwork underwater. If she has really been in water for 20 years, then the zinc's will not have been renewed, and any metalwork underwater is very suspect, that also includes propellors, rudder fittings and through hulls - these can sink a vessel and have done so many times.

[Ex-Calif]

It can be very dependant on the growth rates of barnacles and so forth. We have boats around here untended for less than two years that IMO may be beyond salvage.

[Sandero]

My hull is balsa cored and has been in water for most of her 22 yrs with only a handful of winter haulout storage seasons. No blisters and I suspect it's pretty dry. This fall is another haul out and I will measure the hull for moisture and remove all the bottom paint, but probably not bother with the barrier coats if the hull tests well. Why bother?

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by ksmith

What can happen to a fiberglass hull with no mainteance for 20 years in saltwater? Can there be saturation? Break down of the material?

Boat Hull Blisters : Illustration of Water Absorption From a Hull Interior - by David Pascoe, Marine Surveyor

How could an old boat made of porous material not have water in it?

There are certainly many boats with water saturation that do have problems, but water saturation alone does not absolutely mean there is a problem.

40 year old boat, owned 5 years, saturated hull by moisture meter, no problems.

John

[Alondra]

If it has been float'n for 20 years, it may as well float 20 more!

[ksmith]

Thanks for the views. To be more specific there is a 78 Catalina 30 on ebay for like 3000.00 But and I mean big but, the boat has been used as a LA with; no haul out, no rigging replacement, no engine start. for 20 years. Seems like most of the fg boats of that era were quite strong. Just seems impossible after 20 years there wouldn't be major problelms with the hull. The rigging is a given, the engine A4 a rebuild maybe certainly a through going thru and replacement of various parts.

[jzk]

Looks like he will sell it for under 2500. For that kind of coin for a 30 ft boat, how bad could it be? Maybe throw an outboard on it and be done with it.

[Pblais]

To be more specific there is a 78 Catalina 30 on ebay for like 3000.00 But and I mean big but, the boat has been used as a LA with; no haul out, no rigging replacement, no engine start. for 20 years.

I suspect the hull may be the only thing left that isn't fought with severe problems. Catalina 30's are a production boat that may have more numbers produced than almost any other sail boat boat. Rescuing one seems a waste of money with so many others that could be of that age and in quite good condition at a better price than fixing a boat like that even if it was free.

[roverhi]

Pblais is right, the hull is probably the only thing that wouldn't be a problem with a boat that has been neglected for that long. Look long and hard at all the things that could go wrong from the rigging to the engine, estimate replacement cost and double or even triple that figure to get an idea of the expense. If the sails have been stored out of UV exposure and critters haven't eaten holes in them, they should still be servicable.

If you've got few bucks and a lot of time, it could be a way to get into a larger boat without a lot of money up front. No matter how you slice it however, you will probably have just as much money in it in the end as buying a boat already in good condition.

[ksmith]

I really would like to get into a bigger boat. However the 27 Tartan is just about set up where I want it. Is't there a rule about that. When you get it set up just for you it is time to trade.

[Pblais]

Is't there a rule about that. When you get it set up just for you it is time to trade.

Maybe but there is also a rule that sometimes you learn when you have enough.

[ksmith]

Paul

It is truly amazing. If I did not already have a boat I really like (ok Love) I would be on the road to put my eyes on it. Besides there is a Tartan 34 next door that is not getting the love she needs.

Thanks again to everyone for the reality check.

[Pblais]

Besides there is a Tartan 34 next door that is not getting the love she needs.

That would be a great boat to have a look at. It would be a boat worth fixing if it needed updating.