WILD CAT buyer Beware

[mayanman]

it is the same vessel ...see the doc#

[mayanman]

i have removed names of inspectors and so forth it is the same vessel
it had others issues that are not mentioned in this report.
this boat can and could be repaired ..but would TAKE serious $$$

File #03365514DECK Date: March 3, 2014


REPORT OF DECK INSPECTION OF THE WILDCAT 350
Bravo Zulu


INSPECTION REQUESTED



This is to certify that at the request of the attending surveyor did, on February 26, 2014, attend an onboard inspection of the deck and a cursory overview of the balance of the vessel described below, where she lay afloat at the docks at a private residence in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Information regarding the inspection is contained within the body of the report. The purpose of this inspection was to determine the general condition and estimated present day market value of this vessel. Abbreviations are used in this report to identify marine related agencies and organizations that have established standards that should or must be followed. These are: United States Coast Guard (USCG), the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The following is a report of the examination and findings.

GENERAL INFORMATION

TYPE VESSEL: 35' Wildcat 350 Auxiliary Catamaran Sloop***
BUILDER: Prime Boating for Charter Cats S.A. Ltd., Durban, South Africa***
For 2 hulls Inc. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
YEAR: *** Hull identification number indicates model year 1999
HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: XHIOW011H999
USCG DOCUMENTATION NUMBER: 1097783
LOA: 34'6" BEAM: 23'0"
DESIGNED DISPLACEMENT: 11,000 lbs. DRAFT: 3'3"

THE VESSEL

The vessel, a Wildcat 350 is a Jeff Schionning design, built from molds of cored fiberglass construction in South Africa for both the private yacht and charter yacht markets. The subject vessel, is a four stateroom example of this model. The United States Coast Guard documentation records does not list the year of construction but the hull identification number indicates that she is a 1999 model year.

The vessel is currently found listed for sale on Yachtworld where the specification sheet shows that she has new Yanmar diesel engines and saildrives with less than 25 hours of use.


INSPECTION

An inspection of the hull was made: visually, by walking on, with a sounding mallet and with a moisture meter. In each case the determination was that there are serious problems to be dealt with.

Visually, the cosmetic condition of the deck is poor; dirty and green with mold and, or mildew. A closer shows plant life has taken root where the track for the trampoline is secured to the hull. A closer look at the deck surface shows that the original gelcoat has been coated over with grit textured paint and that this paint has been applied over both the molded non-skid panels and what was formerly smooth gelcoat. The grit textured paint is flaking and peeling off indicating poor preparation of the surface prior to painting. In several areas there were round spots that appeared to repaired drill holes; perhaps indicating that the deck had been drilled and injected with resin to stiffed it.

Under foot, the deck has give to it in numerous areas indicating either a separation between the fiberglass lamination and the core material or that the core material (bulsa wood according to information in the Sailor's Multihull Guide) has decayed or, most likely booth. The most obvious areas were on port and starboard side decks outboard of the cabin house, on centerline forward of the mast and on the cockpit sole.

The sounding mallet produced a variety of sounds, again indicating that there were areas where the laminate and core were not bonded and others that strongly suggest decayed core material. The amount of square footage of suspect problem areas increased under the mallet. The cockpit sole, both side decks, the center area of the deck forward of the mast, both bow areas including where the mooring cleats are mounted and the transom steps

Moisture meter readings were taken on the areas where the soundings suggested problems and elsewhere and indicated wide spread moisture intrusion issues with the deck of this vessel. On the starboard bow, the fiberglass laminate was fractured below the mooring cleat.

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDED ACTION

It is the opinion of the undersigned that the cosmetics condition of the deck of this vessel is in need of extensive preparation and complete refinishing. This work should be undertaken only after the structural issues with the deck have been attended to.

Non-destructive testing has, through several methods, produced strong overlapping indicators of substantial issues with the structural integrity of this deck. It is the opinion of the undersigned that this deck is not a candidate for the drilling and filling approach to repair but will require cutting through the outer layers of fiberglass laminate and into the core area to allow the decayed core to be removed and replaced and the and the delamination between the core and fiberglass laminate to be properly re-bonded. This will be a costly and time consuming process and the job should only be attempted by qualified professional technicians.

It is almost certain the scope of needed repairs will be found to be greater once the deck is cut into but the amount of work may be minimized by beginning the cuts in the softest areas of the deck and working from there out until what may be still good core material is found.

These projected repairs will be costly and were not the only areas requiring work that were observed when aboard. The stern compartments were flooded to a depth of 12" to starboard and 8" to port with bilge pumps that were not working. The sails and running rigging were also covered with mildew. A thick coating of marine growth is evident o the bottom. A market analysis of the present day value of this vessel in her current condition, the cost of repairs and the projected value when repaired should be done before deciding what repairs to undertake.

The afore stated information is both factual, gathered by firsthand inspection and analysis based on the opinion of the undersigned. No responsibility is assumed for defects in the hull, deck, any machinery, or any equipment latent or otherwise. Attending surveyor, representatives or agents are not to be held responsible for any error of judgment, default, negligent omission, inadvertent misrepresentation or misstatement in any report. No guarantee or warranty is expressed or implied.

Respectfully submitted by,

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by JK n Smitty

Why do you think this is the same boat?

I find it hard to believe they got new sails and didn't list them. Plus the red ones don't look brand new. Wind gen seems to be in a different spot. Front hatch is plexi and plywood on one and fiberglass on the other. There are more subtle difference.

The photographs of the starboard hulls reveal the same documentation number in each listing. #7783.




and:

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Want to sail

Bumfuzzle was a 2002 Wildcat. This is a different boat. Would expect issues with that price but would be interested to know what issues the op was talking about.

So would I, at that price. 25K is a cheap car today. Even the 75K asking on the first add seemed low?
I couldn't find anything on scantlings but that isn't a surprise Maybe those with all the Lagoon input could shed so light on it? That was a lengthy thread.
Or maybe the OP will come out of the closet or at least head us in the direction of his post?

[biker6977]

Originally Posted by mayanman

This cat sold for 25k 4 months ago has serious problems buyers beware.

here is the current listing..
Yacht Masters (Merritt Island, FL)


old listing..

1999 Wildcat 35 Sail Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Mayanman- What are the serious problems and how do you have knowledge of them? Before dissing a good boat please provide more information- I see you've shown it is the same boat via doc#, but what makes this a boat that one in the market for should avoid.

[Cadence]

mayanman , thanks for the survey.

[mayanman]

not to beat a dead horse but i believe this is the same boat also...

Pre-Owned 1999 Galley-Up Wildcat 350 catamaran - DUET

was listed for 99k back then...??? probably sold for less


i found a lot of info searching the USCG site and it will show the doc# and previous names great reason to buy only documented vessels..you can get better idea of the history of boat.

thank you internet..years ago stuff like this was hidden from the consumers ...no more ...if you are buying a boat do your homework & move slowly and always hire a surveyor money well spent

[colemj]

Those are two rolls of Divinycell foam coring on the shelf in the second picture.

Mark

[mayanman]

yep it sure is ...wonder if it was done correctly and by a qualified professional..? doesn't appear in the photos that any difference in the deck before and after purchase.

It is the opinion of the undersigned that this deck is not a candidate for the drilling and filling approach to repair but will require cutting through the outer layers of fiberglass laminate and into the core area to allow the decayed core to be removed and replaced and the and the delamination between the core and fiberglass laminate to be properly re-bonded. This will be a costly and time consuming process and the job should only be attempted by qualified professional technicians.

[mayanman]

here it is again...lol they even gave it a appropriate name


Charter Cats SA Wildcat 1999 Catamaran Cabin Cruiser

[Dulcesuenos]

Another price drop, 89k.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[mayanman]

i have looked at a few of these wild cats now.1999 to 2005.. seems like all have some deck issues. and water intrusion through windows and hatches. some how getting between the fiberglass into coring material...fixable but estimates are very expensive.