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Need advice with Stringer Delamination

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Drifter, Oct 20, 2020.

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  1. Drifter

    Drifter Member

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    The broker said a previous survey by a buyer claimed there is delamination of the stringers in a '98 Sea Ray 50 Sundancer, but the broker reported that he brought in a fiberglass expert who denied there is any. Is this an expensive repair? Could it be so severe that the boat is not worth pursuing?
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    When in doubt, walk away. To many 50s out there.
    If you really want this boat, you call in another surveyor who is familiar with fiberglass stress.
    Never take the word of a used taxi car sales person, or even worse, a used boat sales person.
  3. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    You paid a surveyor... the broker brought his own guy.

    need I say more?

    yes depending on the extend and cause of the delamination it can be expensive.
  4. Drifter

    Drifter Member

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    I'll be sure to ask if we take a run at this one. Yes, lots of 50s out there!
  5. Drifter

    Drifter Member

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    A previous potential buyer paid for the survey then backed out of the deal. Are we talking thou$ands or potentially ten$ of thou$ands? I read that delamination could be due to a hard grounding. Could it also be from hurricane damage against a pole?
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Did the boat originally come out of South Florida? I managed a 50' Searay with DDEC's but don't remember what year it was for about 10 years. The boat kept getting slower and slower over the years and losing rpm's WOT.......finally we were down to 2150 rpms......and had cut the props 2" of pitch years ago. Owner had it for sale, had it surveyed, and the surveyor used an infrared cam, the stringers were completely full of water......we drilled a hole in one, and water poured out for over an hour........owner ended up donating the boat......this was at least 7 years ago. Use a moisture meter on the stringers yourself, they're about $30 at Home Depot......and see what it is, and make sure it's under 20%......But if there's a high moisture reading, I'd walk.
  7. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    By the late 90s you d think sea ray would know how to build boats without self destructing hulls...

    no hurricane damage against a piling will not affect the stringers. The main reason for stringer delamination is when the builder uses wood in the stringers and water gets in rotting the wood. Usually it’s because limber holes that allow water to drain thru the stingers were not sealed properly

    the stringers are the key to the hull strength... if they are delaminating the hull will flex causing the engines and gears to be out of alignment. Means the gears are going to have issues and worst case scenario the hull will fail altogether.

    If it is a real good deal get a reputable surveyor of your choosing to check the stringers. He will be able to determine the scope of the problem. If it s ok then having him Do a full survey.
  8. SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    +1
  9. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    He did NOT bring his own surveyor. READ.
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    That fact came after most replies. Wth would a buyer get a copy of a failed survey showing potential major issues Weird
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Because he's reputable. If a boat has a major issue that has been discovered or has happened in the past.....such as a previous fire or sinking, it has to be noted to anyone interested in purchasing it.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Nope, one of our best customers had his '97 45' SeaRay surveyed during a sale.
    Hull sides were cored and full of water. Of course, sale fell apart unexpectedly.

    A company that was supposed to specialize in saving damage like this drilled a bunch of holes and blew in hot-dry air and sucked that out thru another line of holes.
    Weeks later, Water meter still pegged.
    When they peeled some outer skin, it got pretty scary. All hull side coring soaked with water. Below the coring glass to the hull delamented to the outside stringers (now found bad) below the 3126s.
    Naw, It's a SeaRay, the expensive Bayliner.
    Brunswick has not learned squab.
    Ya know, I don't think I ever cam across a Bayliner with blisters, wet core or delam issues...
    Brunswick near shut that line down.
    My Trophy was dry and solid.
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yes, A better broker should release any disclosures regarding a product. At least here he did well.
    It also good CYA if the boat does fall apart after the sale and he knew about and did not mention it.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    That reminds me. Searay DID have a lot of wet coring issues with the hull sides from around 95-99, as they went to cored hull sides and didn't seal the engine room vent's well enough and the water got in from there.
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That would be it. Give this kid a cigar.
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Oh that 45, Sold for near scrap.
    Very sweet 3126s, new gen-set. Near new A/Cs.
    The owner kept her up fine and was looking to purchase larger.

    I think the 50 was on his mind. After this, he moved onto another brand.
  17. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    That's because that "technique" doesn't work. Opening it up and removing all that's wet is the only way to fix it properly. Of course with a soaked hull that's not realistic. Dumpster time.
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That's where it went.
  19. Drifter

    Drifter Member

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    Yes, south FL
  20. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Delray Beach,FL? What was the name of it? I think it may be the one I used to manage. But it's been many years since I did. If it is, it had wet stringers then. Owner donated it to a donation company, don't know what happened to it since then.