Bayfield

Crunch · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

Hi all, I am arranging to view 2 bayfield boats a 29' and 32'. one late 70's other early 80's. What areas of issues should I be looking for real sharp eyed?
thanks,
Tom

danielgoldberg · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

Don't know about the 29 or 32, but we had a B36 for a number of years, and we rebuilt her from the sump up. So, I'll give you my thoughts on the B36, but understand that they may or may not translate to the boats you are looking at.

1. The fuel tank is mounted on the floor of the bilge, and it's an aluminum tank. So, if the boat's older there's a fair chance that you might need to replace it. It's not a fun job, but it's actually quite doable, as the tank (at least on our boat) fit out of the bilge through the floorboards and then out the companionway, so you don't need to do major construction or demo to get it out.

2. The bowsprit is beautiful, but they tended to rot, as the bolts into the wood were a prime source of water ingress.

3. The fitting for the bobstay at the base of the hull leaks after a while. It's not a big deal frankly, but it's something that you need to deal with.

4. We had a problem with our mast step breaking and we needed to replace it. I'm not sure if this was an issue for the builder generally, but we had that problem.

5. I can't remember the brand of the rig, but they had something funky with the way the uppers were connected to the mast. They would fit into the upper fitting, then run down to a slot on the mast, and then bend a little bit to get outboard and down to the spreaders. Some riggers think it looks weird and "not right," so they cross the uppers inside the mast (that is, they run the port upper through the mast opening at the top and connect it to the starboard fitting at the top of the mast, and the two uppers cross inside the mast). Again, not a reason not to buy the boat, but it means it's rigged wrong.

That's really all I can think of in terms of the boat itself. Those boats were built like tanks. There's a lot of exterior teak, but even if it's in bad shape that's a cosmetic issue, and you'll know it without having to "look" for it. Likewise, you obviously need to check the gear on the boat.

Good luck.

fullkeel7 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

Crunch, Saw water damage that delaminated the insides of the port locker just aft of the v-berths on two 32 footers. In both cases, I suspected the chain plates for the water intrusion on that side (no damage to the top shelf, so it didn't seem likely to be a leaking port). I'd pull the drawers out of the locker and take a careful look on the inside for rot.

Other than that, I've heard of no significant problems with the Bayfield 32 and ya gotta love that clipper bow and sprit! Oh, and not to mention the shoal FULLKEEL!

Good luck with the search.

Bob

Crunch · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

I wrote it all down, thanks!!!!!!

Are the deck and hulls on that vintage Bayfields solid or cored?

fullkeel7 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

Although it's been a few years since I did some research on the Bayfield, IIRC Crunch, the hulls were single skin fiberglass (no core), built using a roving/mat hand layup method and the interior liners were fiberglassed into place. The horizontal portions of the deck are balsa cored and they used plywood inserts where the deck hardware was attached. Good deal.

Also I seem to recall a few of these boats had some water intrusion between the molded lead ballast and the hull, but a survey with a moisture meter would reject/confirm that scenario.

Survey, Survey, Survey!

Bob

Crunch · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

If there is water intrusion on the keel-hull, what is the common repair? By that I mean strip paint, tighten bolts, seal, paint,,,
thanks,
Tom

johnshasteen · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

I had a 29 for a couple of years and we loved it. The only problem we had was some rot at the lower left corner of the bulkhead between the head the the forward hanging locker from a deck fitting leak. Good sea boat, take her anywhere. The couple we sold it to, took it on the Galveston to Vera Cruz race (600+ miles each way), years later when they sold it, the buyer took it on a world circumnavigation - never heard wheter he made it or not - know that he made it at least from Texas into the Caribbean.

fullkeel7 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

Crunch, I'm almost sorry I mentioned the water intrusion in the keel. Bayfield bonded their molded lead ballasts and they are completely encapsulated (no keel bolts). Unless there is a hard grounding, I would think this would not be a common occurrence but one to have the surveyor examine.

I've only had one full keeled boat with this type of construction and did not have a problem with it(CD). I have read that some have dealt with the water intrusion by drilling low into the hull to drain the water between the lead and fiberglass hull. After drying out, the void would be filled with a thinned out epoxy. But all of this is like putting the cart before the horse. I'd not worry too much until a survey confirmed a problem, I think from what I've read, Bayfield did a good job in this regard. Some boat manufactures(not Bayfield) used iron as ballast and THAT creates a whole new set of problems in terms of corrosion....well RUST!

I really like the 32' er and think if the boat surveys well, you would have a very nice vessel that you could be proud of for many years to come. Again, good luck with the search.

Bob

Crunch · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

John that is impressive, what year was it?
any pics of it?

Crunch · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullkeel7

Crunch, I'm almost sorry I mentioned the water intrusion in the keel. Bayfield bonded their molded lead ballasts and they are completely encapsulated (no keel bolts). Unless there is a hard grounding, I would think this would not be a common occurrence but one to have the surveyor examine.

I've only had one full keeled boat with this type of construction and did not have a problem with it(CD). I have read that some have dealt with the water intrusion by drilling low into the hull to drain the water between the lead and fiberglass hull. After drying out, the void would be filled with a thinned out epoxy. But all of this is like putting the cart before the horse. I'd not worry too much until a survey confirmed a problem, I think from what I've read, Bayfield did a good job in this regard. Some boat manufactures(not Bayfield) used iron as ballast and THAT creates a whole new set of problems in terms of corrosion....well RUST!

I really like the 32' er and think if the boat surveys well, you would have a very nice vessel that you could be proud of for many years to come. Again, good luck with the search.

Bob

thanks for the update, I am looking for a someone to do the Survey also any suggestions on questions to ask to ensure competency on the subject?