Prior to the sale of our 82 Catalina 36, the purchaser had a survey done. The surveyor found extensive areas of moisture in the deck near where the shroud chainplates penetrate the deck and because of that concluded the rigging was at risk of failure and the vessel was unsafe to sail -- a very shocking and serious conclusion. (We have been dealing with leaks at the chainplates the last few years, not always successfully. There were no obvious signs of any distress in the deck, i.e. no soft spots.) Of course, the purchaser walked away from the deal and we are wondering what to do. Wondering if there are folks who have had the same issue or have knowledge about it. A few questions we have.
1. Is it worth getting a second opinion and is it possible the surveyor was not correct?
2. While I can imagine how moisture in the deck is a serious matter, I don't see how it could lead to rigging failure since the load from the shrouds is carried through the deck by the chainplates which are bolted to the hull, which is solid fiberglass. How does moisture in the deck lead to rigging failure?
3. Any insights about how to remedy and any ballpark on cost?
Very grateful for any information folks might be able pass on or any suggestions.
Dan
Dan, I am not an expert, but I would not consider this a serious problem. As you pointed out, the deck has nothing to do with the safety of the vessel as the chainplates are anchored to the bulkheads and to steel frames inside and below.
At worst, it may cost $ 2000.00 to remove the chain plates and clean out the plywood below, fill with epoxy and rebuild the deck.
I found surveyors are not experienced repair persons. Including my own surveyor who listed my 99 C36 as deck stepped mast and wrong size anchor and a total of 22 errors all of which were in front of him.
I do not think you have a major safety problem.
Haro.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
No expert here, either, but I'll pass on our recent experience.
In September we sold our '85 Mk1 (as we purchased another boat), and during the survey there was some moisture found in that area. Interestingly, the buyer came to his initial look at the boat with his own moisture meter, which indicated extensive moisture in the decks around the chain plates (which made me quite apprehensive). But when the survey was done, the surveyor's instrument found much less, and when he sounded the deck with his hammer (and believe me, he sounded every square foot of that boat!) it sounded solid. The surveyor recommended to the buyer that he drill a few small holes near the perimeter of the damp areas and inject epoxy (and of course, rebed the chainplates). He certainly did not conclude it was a safety/structural issue. Had more of a problem with damp core he found in the area around the steering pedestal.
You might want to sound the area with a plastic hammer, just to get a sense the extent of damage (if any).
Although it can be a bit nervewracking having someone do that kind of examination of your boat when you are planning to sell, I thought the surveyor was excellent and knowledgeable, so much so that I'm planning to have him do another, informal survey of our new boat (yes, we had it surveyed pre-purchase, but I think this guy had such a critical eye and a practical sense of repairs that it might be useful to get a second look at current boat, just to head off future problems). Thus, I thought his recommendations as to the danger (or lack thereof) from the moisture at the deck were valid.
In any event, the sale went through (we adjusted the price down somewhat as an accommodation). Best of luck to you.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Hara and Mathew, thanks very much for your detailed replies-- very helpful. And so far both are confirming that while the moisture should be addressed it is not a safety/structural issue.
Here's a useful link if you do need to address this:
https://www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-deckgear/boat-clinic-minor-repair-to-cored-decks
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY