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shibbershabber · 28-03-2010, 18:12

Found these marks on a 1977 Newport 30 MkII, near where the cabin and deck meet. Among other things... Anyhow, pics are below.

Alright, there it is. The rest of the boat is pretty much flawless. He's asking about $26k. I was thinking about offering $20k pending survey.

Just wondering about these cracks, they appear very superficial but you are all more experienced than I.

Thanks!

jrd22 · 28-03-2010, 18:29

Gelcoat cracks, usually found in areas that have some flexing going on. Unsightly but not usually cause for concern. I would definitely advise having a professional surveyor check them out though before buying.

maxingout · 28-03-2010, 19:08

I've been boating for more than thirty years, and I've never had any problems with gel coat cracks that were structural. The cracks themselves aren't the problem. They signal flexing in hull/deck.

Flexing degrades the strength of fiberglass over time, and if a yacht is lightly constructed, the flexing could indicate a real problem. There could be loose bulkheads or glass that is simply too thin without adequate reinforcement.

I don't like gel coat tracks around the mast step in a deck stepped mast. I don't like gel coat cracks in hulls.

Cracks in the cockpit haven't been a problem for me.

A competent surveyor should be able to tell you whether they are a problem.

shibbershabber · 28-03-2010, 19:30

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming!

Im waiting for the broker to email me some more info, but I believe I will be making my offer by the end of the week.

CarlF · 28-03-2010, 20:07

Ain't it amazing. Over 30 years in a highly corrosive bath, with high panel loads, lots of rig tension, wide temperature changes and a lot of UV thrown in and this thing called fiberglass is "flawless" except for a handful of spots that are 99% sure to be superficial crazing.

Think what 30 years does to a house, a car, or a human body.

Buy the old girl. If you give her some attention - she's likely to outlast all of us.

Carl

But do get a survey....

rebel heart · 28-03-2010, 21:49

I bought an Ericson a while ago and the surveyor was pointing out all kinds of stuff that was wrong with her and then says to me "but you know you could still probably take it around the world." Boats are usually tougher than crew.

shibbershabber · 31-03-2010, 17:05

Well its done.

I made an initial offer of $20k (his asking was $27k) it was rejected.

We came back with $24k and his counter was $25k, but we could not negotiate down after the survey.

I was mildly uncomfortable with that. BUT, I am in a situation where I am planning to live aboard and I am currently homeless with $30k in my account to spend on a boat.
I could have waited for something else to come along but in the mean time I will have spent a couple thousand or more on rent.

As well kept as the boat is, I cant imagine there is much more that could be wrong that a few thousand couldnt fix. Anyhow, I can still back out after the survey.

Anyhow, Im going for it.

1977 Newport Mark II Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Its mine by the end of the week.

**sandy daugherty** · 31-03-2010, 17:15

Crazing is a clue to a surveyor who will look for a problem that might have caused them, such as a softening bulkhead behind them, or water in the core. So wait for the survey. If there's no underlying structural problem (and that's most likely the truth) spider cracking is quite easy to fix, and a good learning experience for a neophyte boaty.

colemj · 31-03-2010, 19:22

I'd be more concerned about those curtains...

babykinz · 31-03-2010, 20:36

Quote:

I'd be more concerned about those curtains...

OMG! I love the curtains!, I was going to say it has a nice woman's touch to it.

Very pretty boat!

bobfnbw · 31-03-2010, 21:25

1972 Columbia Mk II Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com=
I would check this one out as well. almost the same price. Same area. Looks nicer to my eye.
water tankage is pretty small on both though imo.
Good luck
btw, most gel coated boats have crazing cracks like that. Primer and paint it when you get the chance.
Bob

bobfnbw · 31-03-2010, 21:36

(Sail) Boats For Sale

also take a look here.

delmarrey · 31-03-2010, 21:37

If thats all there is in 33 years, it's not too bad. I'd be more concerned about the broken piece in the window frame. My last small boat got a lot of those spider cracks from when the boat was tied to a dock in a storm by the last PO.

But 25K seems a bit steep for a 33 YO boat. How's the motor and sails because that's what's going to cost you on an old boat. But you can get a pretty nice, fairly new trailer for 25K and you don't have to paint the bottom or scrub off the sea life every 3 months.

This would make a better live aboard!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/1670870916.html

CarlF · 31-03-2010, 21:57

There's close to $10k of really good looking canvas and cushions that has years of life left. It can be an unexpected new boat expense when the old cushions flunk the wife/girl friend test (e.g. "I'm not sleeping on THOSE")

The wiring and hose work around the engine is well done. Lots of examples of a caring and careful owner. That's worth a lot.

I think you're getting a lot of boat for $25K - but like all the important decisions in life, this is not JUST about money - you should love a boat. If you don't love her, $10K is too much.

And listen to the surveyor but don't let him talk you out of her easily. You can't expect to find a problem free 30 year old boat and you have no guarantee that the next boat you like will be any better or cheaper.

The perfect is the enemy of the good

Carl