My boat search

[archimedes]

I looked at a boat that needs a lot of work.  Primarily,  there seems to be a lot of water damage from water entering at the hull to deck joint and/or the chainplates - to the point where all the interior white panels in the cabin and v berth are going to have to be replaced.

I've never done any work on boats,  but I am fairly handy with tools having done many home repairs.  I've read this thread; http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=8054.15  but I'm wondering (aloud) whether this is too big of a project for a first timer to take on.    Some feedback from those who might have done this would be helpful.

If worse came to worse and I had to have a marina do it,  any guesses what it would cost.  

There is also an area where the gelcote is damaged but that doesn't seem too bad.

I'm debating whether I should take this on,  or just walk away and wait for something better to come along.

As always,  I appreciate all the knowledge found on these pages and thanks for your help.

[HeaveToo]

If you are handy and doing mind doing the work then you can probably do it.  Start from the outside in.  Seal all sources of the leak.  Mainly, I would follow the steps for the hull to deck joint repair and I would re-bed all of the stuff in that area (all of the stays). 

One thing I would check for is deck rot or a wet deck.  If the deck feels spongy then you may want to walk away because you would have to re-core the deck and that is a bigger job.

What is your budget?  There is a Compac 23 for sale here:  http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/46394

There are some out there if you look and are prepared to travel a little.

[archimedes]

That's a nice boat.  I've learned (the hard way) that online pics for boats can be deceiving.  I drove three hours,  one way,  last week to look at a boat that looked great online.  In person was a whole other story.

My budget is in the mid four digits.  Nothing set in stone if the boat is fairly priced.

I'm not sure how to check for deck rot other than walking around looking for soft spots.  I didn't know there was wood in the area of the hull to deck joint.  Isn't it all fiberglass there?

The boat in my  pictures seems to have quite of bit of water coming in.  The entire joint area from forward of the main bulkhead to aft of the companionway,  on port and starboard sides,  has moisture damage.  I tried to look behind the rub rail but I couldn't pull it off enough to see the joint.  And of course the inside seam is covered completely by the white panels and carpet headliner.

[Elk River]

It is my understanding that the Com-Pac boats do not have cored decks, so there should not be any chance of rot there.  With a cored deck, you can take the handle end of a screwdriver and tap everywhere. A dull sound indicates wet core.  But again, you probably shouldn't have to do that with a Com-Pac.

Elk River

[brackish]

It is my understanding that the Com-Pac boats do not have cored decks, so there should not be any chance of rot there.  With a cored deck, you can take the handle end of a screwdriver and tap everywhere. A dull sound indicates wet core.  But again, you probably shouldn't have to do that with a Com-Pac.

Elk River

That is correct there is no wooden core in a Compac except for the raised section under the mast tab.  There is honeycomb core in some parts but that would not be subject to rot.

[wes]

CP 27s have cored foredecks. Although the core material is sheets of a foam material not unlike the stuff florists use to stick flower stems into, and therefore it does not rot like balsa or or other wood core materials, if water penetrates the area it will quickly migrate throughout and make the area soft and squishy underfoot, with water oozing up through any crack or hole when you step on the area.

This was a lesson that cost me several thousand dollars. Have a look at my thread with photos in the 27 area if you're interested. Pay attention to any cracks in your foredeck, 27 owners, and to keeping your hardware well bedded in that area.

I can't speak for other CP models, but it would not surprise if 23s had a similar design. ?

Wes

[Craig]

There are many brave, optimistic restoration oriented types here. In my experience,(I have done several) boat projects of the type you describe tend to escalate exponentially both in time and money required.They become like the fabled Tar Baby. Once you get in it is tough to get out. The deeper you go, the more that gets revealed. If you do not have much restoration experience I would keep looking. Better to spend a little more up front than discover the boat is a money pit. 

[brackish]

I can't speak for other CP models, but it would not surprise if 23s had a similar design. ?

Good to know Wes, you know that these boats have been built over such a long period of time different construction methods may have been used.  My 23 (2005) has no wood or foam, but it does have a structural polymer honeycomb in at least some of the foredeck area.  Found that out when I installed a solar vent in the foredeck.

[HeaveToo]

Not having a plywood or balsa core is really good news.  That will solve a lot of problems that older boats are prone to.

Thanks for the info, it makes me realize why I am liking this build so much!