Shane wrote:
So how much do you think it would cost to self-repair?

The materials for the repair itself, not that much... couple hundred
bucks. The yard bill for the haul-out and storage (and all the other
things that the boat is likely to need) will be much more.

.... I would also
point out that the owner has had the boat for 14 years, and he says it
has been that way since he got it and that it has not gotten any
worse. He just paints over it every year.

hmm... how much is he paying you to take it off his hands?


If that is true (he seems honest) wouldn't any major damages elsewhere
from the collision have shown themselves by now?

Some of the other posters have given excellent hints about delaminated
sections, detached grid members, etc etc. I'd recommend going to the
library and doing some reading & studying on boat construction &
fiberglass repair... the Gougeon Brothers are an excellent place to start.

You seem pretty well sold on this boat. Sounds like a disaster to me,
but get the guy to take the boat out for a sea trial and have him
demonstrate everything (which should be standard in a boat sale, but
more and more sellers are getting away without it). If you look
carefully for movement between hull & various structural members while
it's sailing, and there isn't any, then it's OK. Alternatively, you can
skip this test, assume "everything will be OK" and just keep sailing it
like the owner/seller did. If it starts to break apart on you, somebody
will come get you....

FB
Doug King