Cascade 42: Solid Fibreglass Hulls

[Metal Boat]

Hi All,


I am going to be looking at a Cascade 42 1975 model factory built. It ticks all the boxes and from the pics looks to be in VGC. Lots of money recently spent.


I am seeking advice on this hull shape, it looks fast and efficient.





Can anyone shed some light on whether solid fibreglass hulls have greater longevity than the modern ones please?

[Sailmonkey]

Our boat is a 1976....the hull is not a problem. This appears, from the photos, the best boat you’ve looked at thus far.

[Metal Boat]

Hi Sailmonkey, thanks for the reply.


You have a slightly older Cascade 42? This boat is in a lot better condition than what I have looked at and much better price, far more practical. Could you tell me a little bit about how the hull sails, speeds and behaviour? How do you find the solid glass hull? The hand laid woven glass really appeals to me, apparently it is really well done by the factory with good resin to cloth ratios. Seems that it will be far more durable than a cored hull, but heavier?

[GILow]

Solid vs cored has little to do with it. Quality of layup has lots to do with it.

You need to find out if this particular make/model of boat had issues.

[Metal Boat]

The yacht is factory built buy one of the pioneers of fibreglass boats,


Cascade Yachts


I think the hull will be very well built, but how has it fared over time.

[Fore and Aft]

I am curious why he has done all that work to her and is now selling her? She looks pretty good from what you can see in the pictures. How many hours on the Diecon diesel and any receipts from the rigging being changed?
Cheers

[El Pinguino]

Well she is streets ahead of the rubbish you have been looking at....

The photo of the head suggests she has been maintained...

First thing to do ... lift the cabin sole ... check the bilge... the floors and the bottom of the bulkheads....

Then get a good surveyor.....

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Metal Boat

The yacht is factory built buy one of the pioneers of fibreglass boats,


Cascade Yachts


I think the hull will be very well built, but how has it fared over time.

I’ve seen a Beneteau that was around ten years old with serious osmosis, blisters the size of dinner plates. Just because a boat is factory built does not mean it is good. You need to find out if the marque has issues.

[MartinR]

This looks nice. If there are no major blisters on the hull, it will probably outlive you.
In the 70s, they still overbuilt massively. A few small blisters would be normal.

I would have no worries about seaworthiness regarding hull shape. Also like the ketch rigg.

I concur on using a surveyor, just to make sure, hull, keel and rudder are sound.

[wolfgal]

i've been following your posts and concur: this gal looks much better than the ones you have shown us so far.

i do not know these boats: am going to peek at the link you posted to see where the was built (which yard), etc.

the quality of the lay-up of fibreglass hull can sometimes be traced back to the yard where she was built.

does she have teak decks?

how about the engine? original, hours, rebuild?

how many owners?

has she been living in the tropics or more northern latitudes?
if she is freshwater gal (or mostly), she might be a catch.

how exciting!

[wolfgal]

seems they have keel bolts. do inspect these well.

looking for ward to hearing more!

[Cpt Mark]

Cascades were very well built boats and for their time period, fast. Buddy of mine owns Nimble which one the Trans Pac race several times. Fun sailing machines. Get a great surveyor and have them rip the boat apart telling you every little thing.

[Cheechako]

I've not heard bad things about Cascade boats or designs. I think some were Brandlmeyer designs? not sure. (Noted NW sailor.)
Cascades on the used market seem to be a bargain for a couple decades now. I think because they are pretty old school designs and often old school inside too. Also many were owner finished which degrades the overall price often. Could be a fine boat, but don't pay too much.
I never bought one when looking, much because often they have those bolted on aluminum toerails that almost always eventually start leaking into the boat. Very very hard to fix. If there are any signs of leakage or mold etc......... RUN!
Your pics dont appear to have the aluminum bolt on toerails.

[Dooglas]

Gosh knows, the 36 and 42 foot Cascade hulls have an excellent reputation for their day. Many have done long passages or circumnavigations. Like any older boat, condition is everything, but no reason to run from the Cascade design or hull construction.

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I've not heard bad things about Cascade boats or designs. I think some were Brandlmeyer designs? not sure. (Noted NW sailor.)

The 42, 36, and 29 Cascade were all designed by Robert A. Smith. He was a designer whom I understand was previously associated with Sparkman and Stephens. The hulls were all built at the Yacht Constructors yard in Portland, OR. Many were sold as kits so quality of the finish work can vary from boat to boat.