10yr old glass boat question

[ozynorts]

Hey gang, given an assumption of reasonable use and care would you expect to see any problems with a 10yr old haines hull? What sort of checks would you carry out in this situation?

[deckie]

Should be just fine after only 10yrs...10yrs on glass is nothing...as long as it has been taken reasonable care of. The gelcoat as well will likely come up like new with some elbow grease and proper product.

Things to look out for mainly involve its bum, thats the part most abuse through negligence and laziness which shortens their lives. The transoms on Haines were/(still are i think) standard ply jobs and susceptible to rot mainly from fresh water intrusion. Generally if kept inside under cover no probs but if the general gelocat condition looks ratty/faded or the underneath is stained there's a fair chance has lived outide either in the yard or on a mooring/dock. Check for stains coming down off any large bolt holes thru transom, like motor bolts and check how those holes were done/sealed. Add ons like ladders/transducers/burley buckets/livey pump brackets etc must be done properly and regulalry the source of transom problems. look carefully at bung holes from both sides for any signs of poor sealing/crappy work that might have let water in previously. Then another biggy to check is the transom capping, i.e. the ridge line where the donk is mounted. See if its in anyway lifting or unsealed or anyway water can get in. Either way give it a good go over, lift the motor leg up grab the skeg under the prop and lift whilst u watch the transom for any flexing, shouldnt budge. thats only a rough way but at least a non invasive amateurish quick look. Look underneath for major gouges/cracks below waterline especially away from the keel line. Keel line gouges/scratching in the gelcoat not a big deal as long as not too deep. Anywhere bare glass is showing is subject to long term f/glass damage so shouldnt be much of it. Most trailerboats will have plenty of marks/scratches underneath which isnt hard to fix so main thing is look for any major areas of concern and different shades of gelcoat colour indicating possible major repairs.
One thing i like to do is look carefully where bulkheads meet side of boat around about the helm...e.g right at feet at helm and opposite side where bulkheads meet sides/sidepockets...look for stress cracking/repairs which can be an indication owned in past by a hoon or done very hard yards pounding in open water.
Good glass itself has a pretty long life if has good gelocoat covering...its what is inside it/structure that tends to go. Like the stringers underfloor and transom are the main things to watch. If u see things like spider web type gelcoat cracking near bollards etc thats usually not a major concern...often just fitted poorly with screws rather than bolts and no underpinning. Thats the sort of thing can be fixed. but the structural parts arent so easy and expensive.

[Chimo]

Do you leave the bungs out between uses?
If not then check the transom.

C
C

[ozynorts]

Great info deckie. Thanks for that.
good point there too Chimo.