"Mid Size Power Boats": A Guide for Discreminating Buyers - by David Pascoe

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Illustration of Water Absorption From a Hull Interior

Many Water Saturated Hulls Don't Blister

Photos by David H. Pascoe, Marine Surveyor

1.
 
Photo #1.
This photo is taken in the forward cabin just above the point where the sole is taped into the hull sides and below the waterline. When I first lifted the carpet here, I was taken aback because my first impression was that the cabin sole tabbing had been laid over painted fiberglass, since the aft section of the interior hull was painted. As you can see, the tabbing is a pink color while the hull laminate seen at the top of the photo is not translucent like the tape but completely opaque. (Tape or tabbing are the strips of fiberglass used to join parts together, such as a bulkhead to the hull in this case.)

 

 

2.
Photo #2.
This is one of  the most graphic illustrations you will ever see  of differing rates of water absorption in various areas of one hull. This is looking straight down at the centerline bilge in the forefoot where a bit of black water lies at the bottom of the vee (the black vertical line). The yellow section at the center is a separate layer of fabric which has absorbed far more water than the surrounding laminate and turned yellow. Whereas in the upper part of the photo, you can see a different layer of fabric that is pinkish and is not as opaque, meaning that it has absorbed less water.. Notice that the coloration is the exact opposite of that in photo #1, where it is only the tabbing that remains pink and translucent. Since both sections of laminate are equally hard, most likely what this is telling us that two different kinds of resin were used in this lay up. Because of the hardness, cure rate does not seem to be a factor as it is in many cases.

 

 

  3.
Photo #3.
This photo was taken a few feet further aft. it's the hull bottom between the keel and the stringer (top of photo). Here the laminate has a blotchy appearance - its whiter toward the left and center, while a more translucent area is seen at right. At the bottom is an oily bilge high water line. The stringer has absorbed very little water and remains translucent, whereas the bottom laminate has turned opaque.  The differing colors, which are not just surface contamination, suggest that chemicals in the bilge water have also played a role in the discoloration.

What is most distinguishing about this photo (#3) is the progressiveness in the change of color of the laminate down toward the keel; the deeper in the bilge, the more opaque the laminate. When a laminate, or plastic, absorbs water it turns cloudy or opaque. We take this as clear evidence of just how much water a hull can absorb from the interior.

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First Posted in 1997 at David Pascoe's site www.yachtsurvey.com.

Post: June 16, 1998 , Last reviewed 11/28/98

Marine Survey Related >

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About Author:
David H. Pascoe is a marine surveyor (retired) with 40 years' experience.

He is author and publisher of power boat books:

"Mid Size Power Boats"
"Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats" 2E
"Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats"
"Marine Investigations"

Visit  yachtsurvey.com  for more than 160 online articles.

David Pascoe's biography

yachtsurvey.com
Over 160
Online Articles by David Pascoe

 

David Pascoe's
Power Boat Books

Mid Size Power Boats Mid Size Power Boats
A Guide for Discriminating Buyers
Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet
 With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers.
Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats
Selecting and Evaluating New and Used Boats
Dedicated for offshore outboard boats
 A hard and realistic look at the marine market place and delves into issues of boat quality and durability that most other marine writers are unwilling to touch.
Surveying Fiberglass Powewr Boats Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats
2nd Edition
The Art of Pre-Purchase Survey The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details.
Marine Investigations Marine Investigations
Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues.

Links to pages of each chapter contents at davidpascoe.com

Chapter 1   
What is Pre-Purchase Survey?
Chapter 2   
Business Practices and Client Relations
Chapter 3   
Sound vs. Seaworthiness
Chapter 4   
Procedures
Chapter 5   
Hull and Its Structure
Chapter 6   
Surveying the Hull
Chapter 7   
Using Moisture Meters
Chapter 8  
Stress Cracks & Surface Irregularities
Chapter 9   
Deck & Superstructure
Chapter 10   
Cockpits
Chapter 11 
Drive Train
Chapter 12 
Gas Engines
Chapter 13 
Fuel Systems
Chapter 14 
Exhaust Systems
Chapter 15 
Electrical Systems
Chapter 16 
Plumbing Systems
Chapter 17 
Sea Trials
Chapter 18 
Appraisal
Chapter 19 
Reporting

480 pages

 

 

Chapter 1 
The Marine Investigator
Chapter 2
The Nature of Investigations
Chapter 3  
The Nature of Evidence
Chapter 4 
Marine Insurance and Issues of Law
Chapter 5  
Bilge Pumps & Batteries
Chapter 6  
Finding the Leak
Chapter 7  
Sinking Due To Rain
Chapter 8  
Fire Investigations
Chapter 9  
Machinery Failure Analysis
Chapter 10
Fraud Investigations
Chapter 11
Interrogation Techniques
Chapter 12
Reports
Chapter 13
Deposition & Court Testimony

544 pages

 

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