Bahia - problems to look out for?

[Ilona]

Hi everybody!

Is there anyone able to answer the following questions about the Bahia:

1. Can you all confirm that they aren't prone to leakages (for instance friends have a cat with frontal windows that just won't stay in place, the hull flexes way too much)
2. Can you confirm they don't make much noise because of upslam, and how's the rest of the noise (in less than ideal conditions of course)
3. How are the decks connected to the hulls? Is that done decently, with glass fibre or is it only bolted through? I reckon if the latter, there must be problems?
4. Are there things we should look out for? Bulkheads breaking/getting mushy or whatsoever other problems?
5. Some specific points that break and need attention?
6. Are there years where the Bahia is not recommended, or are they better in certain years?
7. Did the hull-thickness decrease after a certain year?
8. What type of material is used for the bulkheads?
9. I saw a piece of material cut from the skin of a Bahia from 1998, that had below the waterline quite thick glass fibre without a core. Above the waterline it had foam core. Does someone know the exact materials used (what kind of foam, what kind of material with the glass; polyester or vinyl-ester)?
10. Anything else interesting to tell about them?
11. SURVEYOR - does anyone have a very much recommended knowledgeable person in the Eastern Caribbean that can do a worthwhile pre-buyers survey?

Thanks so much! My first message here, but did read a lot on the forum, thanks all for contributing!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ilona.

[yeloya]

Hi Ilona,


We had one Bahia in our charter fleet until couple of years ago and I had a chance to sail her as well.
First of all, she's one of the fastest FP manufactured over the last decade. BAhia didn't also suffer osmosis problem that newer models were prone to.




Quality wise she's only as good as any FP of this era.. Bridge deck clearance is good. We didn't have any specific or structural problem with the boat.


Cheers


Yeloya

[VanIslandGuy]

Originally Posted by Ilona

Hi everybody!

Is there anyone able to answer the following questions about the Bahia:

1. Can you confirm they don't make much noise because of upslam, and how's the rest of the noise (in less than ideal conditions of course)
2. Anything else interesting to tell about them?

I chartered one once with 4 other friends. Sailed from Martinique to St. Lucia and back over a week or so.

We had a good upwind sail to St Lucia on the first day. Pinching too much could lead to a bit of pounding with water splashing through the trampoline and spraying over the coach roof. Bearing off 5-10' resulted in much better VMG and a dry ride. The performance was so good that we became bored when we weren't sailing more than 10 knots. It was a really fast and stable boat, with a well finished interior.

Single/two handing the boat could be challenging for sailors with low-medium experience as there is a lot of sail area, and high free-board. Experienced sailors shouldn't have an issue though.

I can't answer any of the other questions for you though. We really enjoyed the boat and walked away very impressed with the performance, gear and livability.

[Ilona]

Originally Posted by VanIslandGuy

I chartered one once with 4 other friends. Sailed from Martinique to St. Lucia and back over a week or so. <cut>.

Sounds great, thanks for your information!!