water damage to engine

[Wes]

Hi:
I've been hot to fine a good Cape Dory 27 for several years and have found one for sale that apparently had about 2 inches of water standing in the cabin for a period of time (maybe a few days-- maybe several weeks). The owner said he was able to motor it to a well a short distance away to fix the problem. And the engine was serviced for the winter after that and he claims the engine seems to run fine (he says). Question is: how much damage might have happened; is the engine still useable; is this boat a dead horse or would the engine (with only 350 or 400 hours on it) be a worthwhile purchase; any comments please!! It is a 1981 with a price of about $15
grand.Thank you for your input.



wcrom@wmis.net

[Duncan Maio]

Wes:

Remedy, our CD27, had water standing about 3" above the floor in the cabin when we first saw her - on stands in a boatyard. She had been on the hard, uncovered, for two years with no attention at all, and had filled with rainwater.

After a good mucking out, she was as good as new (more or less) and the engine was not wet at all (and has always run like a champ). Unless the boat filled to the point that water got into the exhaust or air intake, the engine should be fine.

Duncan Maio
s/v Remedy
CD27 #37
Bristol, RI



dmaio@att.net

[Chris]

Wes - I would add one other issue for your consideration. Was the boat in a winter climate with the water in the hull? My previous boat had ice form in the bilge which caused some minor delaminating problems. I would suggest a full survey by a qualified surveyor, or at least an inspection by a marine mechanic (not the local Texaco mechanic) who is familiar with water egress problems.

Hi:
I've been hot to fine a good Cape Dory 27 for several years and have found one for sale that apparently had about 2 inches of water standing in the cabin for a period of time (maybe a few days-- maybe several weeks). The owner said he was able to motor it to a well a short distance away to fix the problem. And the engine was serviced for the winter after that and he claims the engine seems to run fine (he says). Question is: how much damage might have happened; is the engine still useable; is this boat a dead horse or would the engine (with only 350 or 400 hours on it) be a worthwhile purchase; any comments please!! It is a 1981 with a price of about $15
grand.Thank you for your input.

[Don Carr]

Hi:
I've been hot to fine a good Cape Dory 27 for several years and have found one for sale that apparently had about 2 inches of water standing in the cabin for a period of time (maybe a few days-- maybe several weeks). The owner said he was able to motor it to a well a short distance away to fix the problem. And the engine was serviced for the winter after that and he claims the engine seems to run fine (he says). Question is: how much damage might have happened; is the engine still useable; is this boat a dead horse or would the engine (with only 350 or 400 hours on it) be a worthwhile purchase; any comments please!! It is a 1981 with a price of about $15
grand.Thank you for your input.

Save yourself some headaches and money in the long run...HAVE IT SURVEYED by a qualified surveyor. The survey will only cost you a couple of hundred but possibly save you thousands in the long run.
He/She should be able to determine all systems operational/potential problems (electric/mechanical/hull). For what it's worth.



carrd@erols.com