Michael1

I was looking at a mid-90's 32 Classic I/O, and found stress cracks at the transom just to the inside of the sponson, one underneath at the back side of the front step, and a bunch in the center console area around the throttles. Is this typical of this model, or was this boat thrashed?

Michael

racesdad

not bad for a mid 90's hull. what is the history of this boat?

OkieTunnel

I'd be more concerned with the dryness of the core throughout the hull and bulkheads than with stress cracks.

Michael1

Do you mean too dry or too wet? Is this just age related, or are you talking water seepage?

Michael

KNOT-RIGHT

three out of four Skaters failed the moisture test when I was in the market. If any water gets inbetween the glass
the Balsa coring acts as a sponge.

Have someone check it with a moisture meter.
Stress cracks if that is what they are nothing.

Gerry

Michael1

Good info.

How is this test done? Do they have to drill into the hull? What part of the hull do they take the samples (transom, bottom, etc.)?

Thanks,

Michael

KNOT-RIGHT

Its actually done using sonar. Its a device that measures the density and or moisture.
It is non destructive meaning no holes.
You can actually tap the bottom using a blundt hammer
and you will hear the difference if shes wet.

OkieTunnel

Take a ball-peen hammer and tap the hull everywhere inside and out including bulkheads. Most of it will give a very solid sounding high sound. If you hit wet the tone will drop, If you hit rot the sound will become very low and muffled and you will notice the glass outersurface give a little. The outer hull and tunnel will often be good but the bulkheads, especially ones with lots of mounting holes, are where you are more likely to find water and rot. Check the bulkeads clear up to the front of the boat. I have found rot at the bottom of the bulkheads in the tunnel right above where they drill a hole to let water pass through the bulkead. Maybe not sealed well at the factory? If you just find a little, its in a bulkhead, and it accessible, it may be fixed kind of easily if the boat is priced right. I am doing a little of this right now. If it is in the transom or the outer hull or tunnel, I personally wouldn't touch it.