Pearson 33 with pressure dents from jack stands

[rdbeales]

1970 Pearson 33 Boat For Sale

I'm looking a this 1970 Pearson. Seems like its right up my alley. However, one of the jack stands has clearly pressed in the starboard bow. Its a big soft dent. No cracking of paint or gelcoat that seems to be related. Anyway, I was told that hulls will rebound from this kind of deformation once re-floated. Any truth to that? How serious is this kind of thing? I have no way of easily looking at the stringer locations and condition and such because of the fiberglass insert interior so I figured I'd ask here first.

Please give me reasons for your opinion, not just don't worry, or no way.
Thanks for your time.
Dave

[Stillraining]

Some one else will have to confirm...but sounds like a cored hull with rotten core in that spot...Solid hulls wont do that...

[rdbeales]

Supposedly this hull is solid. Anyone know Pearson construction in 1970?
Thanks Stillraining!

[Plumper]

Is the weight of the boat on its keel or is the weight on the jack? The keel should be carrying the weight and the jack should be balancing the boat. Lighter built hulls that oil can when on jacks should have the jacks placed on areas that are supported inside with frames or bulkheads.
Properly designed and built boats should not oilcan on jacks. Particularly small boats.
I would be concerned and ask my surveyor. I would not like to see that portion of the hull flexing when beating into a nasty sea.

[rdbeales]

So far I'm not hearing anything good, which is okay, I'd rather learn it the easy way than the hard way. The keel was resting on some blocks. You're right, it shouldn't be a great deal of weight, just balance. So the hull must be relatively weak to bend, right?

Anyone with construction details or other info please contribute. I'm definitely trying to eliminate/exonerate this boat before paying for a survey. I only want to pay for that if I can't find anything seriously wrong with the boat myself.

[Stillraining]

Then I would suspect fracture dammage to the laminate in that area...Like hitting a log or dock pretty hard..

My boat had a soft spot from a dock collision...I had it completely ground out and back to solid material and relaid up...If the hull is so thin as to oil can as plumper mentions and it is sitting on its keel...I would walk away..Its one thing to fix a damaged area...its another to have a week hull..

[rdbeales]

Thanks for you input you guys. I have a bad habit of being optimistic. Possibly a fatal flaw while shopping for a boat But I had to ask about such a possibly serious situation. And know I now. Thanks.

Still curious about Pearson being solid or cored. Any thoughts everyone?

[capn_dave]

The 1970 Preasons are not cored and are pretty good boats. As for the stands bending the hull, it can happen. It usually is no big thing. I don't know how long the the boat has been sitting on the hard, but it can settle and there can be allot of weight on that stand. The glass will bend if there is no bulkhead where the stand is located.

If it really worries you Have them move the stand and see if the bend comes out. I'll bet it pop's right back out. It could take a couple of days though. I see it all the time in the yard here and we just loosen the stand a little. It usually happens when the boat had been in storage for awhile.

Fair Winds

Cap'n Dave

[sailingfool]

I would agree that this age pearson would be a solid glass hull and should be quite sturdy. Unless there is fracturing of internal members, frame or funrniture, near where the jackstand is, I'd bet it just happens to be positioned on a long runl with no interior support. If no damage inside, I'd have the yard look at repositioning the stand(s) and I would bet the issue disappears. The P33 is a nice quality boat, give it a second lookover.

[JimsCAL]

From the ad pictures, the boat is in a cradle, not stands. Pearsons of that vintage are pretty solid boats. Probably just a pad tightened too much. Have it backed off.