Raritan’s Macerator Toilet Specialists Give Tips to Consider Before Buying a Storm Damaged Boat
Raritan Engineering your macerator toilet suppliers would like to share with you this week information regarding the importance of using caution when buying a storm damaged boat.
If you are in the market for a used boat and live where winter storage is the norm, now is probably one of the best times to bargain. The owner is looking at another year of storage bills for a boat he no longer wants, and he knows that trying to sell a boat that’s buttoned down for the winter is like trying to sell a house that’s under a circus tent.
However, if you are anywhere near the pathway of last year’s Hurricane Matthew, that bargain boat might well turn out to be your worst nightmare. Back in 2007, we published a special report on what happens when a fiberglass boat is subjected to the point loads that can occur during a storm.
One recurring theme in the three Practical Sailor articles I cite above is that severe structural issues can quickly turn a bargain boat into bottomless moneypit. Here are just three of the serious problems to look for.
Macerator Toilet Experts at Raritan Engineering Share the Secrets to Finding the Right Deal on Your Next Boat
Core damage — Your macerator toilet experts talk about how once the outer skin of a cored hull or deck is breached, the core damage can spread widely. Most often, this is a long-term process as plywood or balsa (probably the most common core material in production sailboats) rots. A Matthew boat that has suffered a breached hull or deck might have damage limited to a small area that might be relatively easy to address.
Secondary bond failure — The chemical bonds between interior structures (such as bulkheads, pans and liners, and furniture) are generally not as strong as bonds formed during the molding process.
Hidden structural failure — Mast, keel, and rudder loads spread throughout the boat’s hull. This means that a simple grounding can cause damage in places far away from the point of impact. It is not uncommon that a boat that has grounded hard shows structural failures in unexpected areas of the deck, main bulkhead, or mast partners.
Submerged engine — Beyond the obvious problems such as water-stained woodwork, ruined upholstery, and mold and mildew, there are less obvious problems associated with a boat that has sunk. A diesel engine that has been damaged by salt water can often be resurrected to run temporarily without addressing corrosion issues that can come back to haunt a new owner.
We strongly encourage anyone contemplating buying a storm-damaged boat to work closely with an experienced surveyor. Taking on the challenge of restoring an insurance write-off is not for the faint of heart, and in many cases, does not make economic sense.
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