CD28 SLOOP DECK CORE MOISTURE PROBLEMS

[Lee]

I have been considering a CD 28 sloop but hear it is prone to deck core moisture problems due to excessive gelcoat application when built.

Even if a boat doesn't have this problem now, it seems logical it will develop it eventually. Is this true?

What is the solution to this? And the cost to repair? I would think the only long term repair would be to strip and re-gelcoat the entire deck??

Any similiar problems with the hull? Rudder?

Many thanks for responses. Lee

[Paul Scribner]

I have been considering a CD 28 sloop but hear it is prone to deck core moisture problems due to excessive gelcoat application when built.

Even if a boat doesn't have this problem now, it seems logical it will develop it eventually. Is this true?

What is the solution to this? And the cost to repair? I would think the only long term repair would be to strip and re-gelcoat the entire deck??

Any similiar problems with the hull? Rudder?

Many thanks for responses. Lee

I've owned a CD 28' since the Spring, Lee. Neither the surveyor (who has done many 28's nor my own experience confirm your fear of deck problems. My suggetion is to have a good survey (not just insurance) done by someone familiar with CD's. Good luck.
Paul
s/v Serenitas



scribner@tiac.net

[Jon Larson]

Lee, I've owned my Cape Dory 30 for 15 years, and she does have the cracks in the gel coat that seem to be common to Cape Dory's. I've never had a problem that I am aware of, the boat had an insurance survey when she was shipped out here to The Bay Area two years ago, a thorough survey (he even checked the pivot pins in the steering sheaves) and there was no indication of a deck or coach core problem. He characterized the cracks as cosmetic, the fiberglass underneath is sufficiently water proof to prevent any damaging moisture from getting to the core.

Cape Dory's are not alone in doing this, many older boats have developed similar cracks of spider cracks over the years as well.

No matter what, I recommend a survey on any boat you'd consider buying using the toughest surveyor you can find.

Jon Larson
Cape Dory 30 PERI
San Francisco Bay

I have been considering a CD 28 sloop but hear it is prone to deck core moisture problems due to excessive gelcoat application when built.

Even if a boat doesn't have this problem now, it seems logical it will develop it eventually. Is this true?

What is the solution to this? And the cost to repair? I would think the only long term repair would be to strip and re-gelcoat the entire deck??

Any similiar problems with the hull? Rudder?

Many thanks for responses. Lee

jon9@ix.netcom.com

[Andrew Blight]

I have just paid about $6,000 to have the decks on my 78 CD30 resurfaced because of water in the core on foredeck and around shrouds. I was made aware of the problem by the surveyor when I bought the boat last year (for about $6,000 less than I might have paid if the decks had been okay). I don't think the moisture is a problem of too much gelcoat but rather too much stress around deck fittings whose bedding is getting old. I discovered in the process that the foredeck fiberglass was surprisingly thin and that there was not a hell of a lot of backing for the cleats that take all the mooring and anchoring stresses. I do not know what kind of percentage of boats (CD or otherwise) get wet decks like this, but I suspect it is pretty common unless the deck fittings are maintained with regular rebedding every decade or so. A number of yard people told me that the CDs are known for it. If the rest of the boat is in good shape, as mine was, then the decks can be fixed pretty well, though replacing the non-skid effectively can be a pain.



blight@med.unc.edu