Deck Rot

[Marlen]

Does extensive deck rot automatically make a potential boat not worth the effort?

[Freesail99]

Ask yourself, do I want to sail or repair a boat ? You could be looking at months of work, if you don't know what your doing. Deck rot could also mean leaks. Have a look at the sub floor below the sole for damage.

[seabreeze_97]

Have a look at what a proper deck recoring involves.
http://www.triton381.com/projects/re...on/recore.html

[sailingdog]

It depends on a lot of things, like your ability to make such a repair, the cost of the boat, the time you have to work on the boat, etc. If you really like the boat, and it is a more unusual or rare model of boat, and you have the skills, time and resources to restore the deck properly, then getting the boat might make sense. If the boat is a very common model, then it probably doesn't make much sense.

[pigslo]

It is a math problem. $5000 worth of deck repair on a boat you paid $50000 for that is worth $60000 fixed.... a good deal.
$5000 worth of deck repair on a boat you paid $10000 for that is worth $11000 fixed....not a good deal.
pigslo

[mikehoyt]

depends on price. If you can buy a similar boat without the problem for a similar price then is not worth it. Also depends on how extensive the rot is and how easily accesible the area of rot is.

Deck recoring is not really a big deal. Is messy and time consuming but if on a flat surface is really similar to performing a drywall repair. You cut out the rotted area and some of the good wood surrounding to get it all. Then you chisel it down to lower laminate and place in a couple of layers of cloth and matt and saturate with resin. Cover with the new core material and then build up on top with cloth, matt & resin and then fairing compound followed by gelcoat or paint.

If the above description sounds like a project you would enjoy then go for it. If you do not like doing that sort of work then stay far far away. I have recored chainplate area and entire cockpit floor of my boat and have rebuilt the deck on a laser sailboat as well as repairing/repainting an 8 foot dingy. These are all small projects but will result is a real mess if not completed in a timely manner and properly.

One further note. If you are buying a boat with a cored deck and it has never had any section recored then it probably should have and has sections that require it. I do not know of many older boats that do not have some moisture in the decks.

Mike
Full Tilt 2

[hellosailor]

If you have to pay yard labor to a qualified yard...gonna cost you big time.

If you have a place to store your boat, and a couple of weeks of free time, and good repair skills, and don't mind getting epoxy resin in your hair...some folks do it themselves and put in the "sweat equity" instead of paying the yard.

Either way, check out what the job is going to entail. That's why most folks walk away from it.

[NOLAsailing]

If you have the ability to store the boat on the hard and covered, THE TIME TO DO THE PROJECT, and the desire to see it through, then it may be worthwhile.

The cost savings, if you actually come out on top, will probably be fairly minor. You have to want to do the project for other reasons. A recore is certainly without the reach of a competent DIY-er.

[sailingdog]

Actually, my experience has shown that such projects are usually more expensive than buying the same boat without the deck problems, especially if you account for what your time would cost you... The real thing is that you should only really take on a boat with a comprimised deck if you really want to do the work, not to save any money.

[kwaltersmi]

At what point does deck rot absolutely need to be addressed? Obviously, any issues should be addressed ASAP if money/time are not an issue. But at what point does deck rot compromise safety or sailing performance? I'm sure the answer varies depending on the boat (say a bluewater bound boat versus a trailer-sailor), but I'd like to hear opinions.