Buying an 80s Mac25 - NEED HELP

[mrron_tx]

LOL.... I would offer the Lady with the cracked hull either $500. or haul it off free...she might do it Since You are a Navy Man...You know how to get help anytime You need it... BBQ ,Beer...and if that don't work , revert back to the standard Navy saying " get a bigger hammer " Best of Luck. Ron.

[arknoah]

As for the 81' - any concern about that water suddenly showing up in the bilge? He said there's always been some, but now there's about 2". Like I said, it's been raining a lot. Is it unusual for that much water to find its way into the bilge during several days of heavy rain?

Can't answer that directly not having seen the boat, but there are lots of ways for water to get in a boat, including the companionway and all around the hatch. I will often get water in my bilge as well, but I’ve never have any evidence that the water is getting in from anything other than rain: no rust on any of the bolts securing cleats or deck fixtures, no trails of water running down the sides, no smell of mold, and everything still firmly attached. My sense is that a tiny bit of water can get it, and once in, it drops to the most appropriate place – the bilge. Also, when I've had paper towels on the settee, I've never had any evidence that it got wet, though at times after really bad storms there seemed to be a little water on the table.

Looking for telltale spots of how the water could get in is probably your best bet.

[mastreb]

Fiberglass boats are typically molded in two major exterior pieces: The hull and the deck, which are bolted together at the deck joint which is covered by the rubber rub rail.

When it rains, water runs down the deck and collects between the rubrail and the deck joint. If the original joint sealant has been damaged, this will result in a lack of seal between the deck and hull pieces.

This damage can happen any time the rubrail impacts something like a dock pylon, another boat, or what have you. After that seal is broken, any rain water at will leak into the hull by collecting at the rub rail and then seeping in through the unsealed deck joint.

There are a number of ways to fix this, from temporary fixes like caulking the gap between the rubrail and the deck with an exterior caulk or butyl tape all the way to removing and replacing the deck joint. Search rub rail on this forum and you'll see a number of ways people have fixed this problem.

I've solved the problem by living somewhere where it never rains.

[mastreb]

Restoring the Saabs worked fine--I drove one of them for two years and gave the other one to the guy who helped me out. It was my first vehicle electrical job (I was 22) so it did take some time to get use to the new controls:

Hazard Button = Left Turn Signals
Wipers = Right Turn Signal
Right Turn = Vent Fans

Etc. Once I worked it out and got used to it it was fine.

But one day I came out from work and there was a giant puddle of oil under it. I checked the oil level, which was fine, and decided it must have come from some other car. So I drove it for another month until one day on the freeway doing 80 both front tires bucked twice and then locked up hard. Still steered though, so I pointed at an offramp and slid down it to a halt. Manual transmission was seized solid from heat.

I'm shocked it went a month of daily driving without any gear-case oil.

[Steve K]

Water inside is usually because of rain. You mentioned a lot of rain lately

My 26D stays dry as a bone in the water....... A few days of rain will leave from ten to forty gallons in the bilge. This usually leaks in around the rub rail. Lucky for me it never rains in sunny California (particularly lately).

I'll seal it up one of these days.

Agree with others........ buy both, if you can. Otherwise, get the one that you know floats. That crack down the center of the hull on the other one looks like some repairs are in order and the swing keel looks a little crooked in the one pic. I think this boat has hit something pretty hard. Could be some major hidden damage, all of which can be repaired, but will cost more than the boat is worth, unless you are schooled in fiberglass repair.

I do believe the others are on track, that if you get both boats, you'll be able to make one great and recoup the extra money by selling parts you don't need.

I live on a one acre property too. Tell the Admiral it will be very temporary Then keep your word

Best Breezes,
Steve K.

[NavySailor]

Thanks again for all the advice guys - I've learned a lot surfing the web and talking to you all. We're driving down to Pax River to see the 81' today. The 81' does have anti-foul paint on the hull-does that matter? I'm just using her as a cruiser in the Potomac and maybe I'll put my toes in the Chesapeake every so often...

I got this from the seller last night - any major concerns here? I'm not that worried because she will be a trailer sailor and I'll have her on the hard on my back driveway whenever I'm not sailing her.

"Attached is a photo of the boat on my lift from two years ago when I was troubleshooting the original leak. I had found a crack about an inch long in the hull near the very forward part of the keel on the right side. I have a close-up of it somewhere, but I can't seem to find it at the moment; I'll keep looking. I had tried to repair it myself last year while it was up on the lift with a fiberglass repair kit I got at Westmarine, but I don't think it did much. I haven't been under the boat this season to see what it looks like right now. That's the only crack I'm aware of, but like I had mentioned previously, the boat has been floating just fine with it. When I got home today, the bilge appeared to have less water in it than it did when I left last weekend, and that all after the excessive rain from the past two days."


Also - I found out that the landfill, just a few miles from my house, will dispose of the fiberglass hull for $40. Anybody know what that 600lbs keel is made out of? Maybe I could recycle it and get a few bucks?

[81venture]

Good luck on the trip
You will probably be just fine...wouldn't worry to much about the trailer.

If you can get them both you can build up a nice boat...I have purchased quite a few (an understatement) and pick pieces off to add to mine.

I also live on a little more than an acre...you would be surprised what you can fit when you put your mind to it....haveing an understanding Admiral who knows your nuts helps



Current tally on my 1 acre right now is:
1 23ft Vn23
1 22 Ft Catalina
1 22 ft Catalina Capri
1 22 ft O'day
1 29 ft Buccaneer
1 19 ft Starcraft
1 12 ft Feathercraft antique aluminum runabout
1 sunfish
1 dinghy
1 18 ft Ski Nautique

Assorted masts, stays, 13-14 different sails, a few outboards, and a ton of gear in a barn


You can do this man


Dave

[NavySailor]

Thanks Dave - Leaving in about 3 hours. Wife already thinks I'm crazy for possibly getting two. Worst case, I'll buy just the 81' yellow boat and make it all work. we shall see...

mrron_tx - I'm trying to decide what to offer the lady with the white 86' boat. Just the outboard alone would be worth the $500. Not to mention her trailer and sails. I told her no way would I pay more than $1k. She said deal. She knows I'm looking at this boat in MD today and that I'll be in touch tonight. Maybe I'll offer her $600 and see what she says.

mastreb - too funny about your Saab controls! LOL - too bad she died on you but that's a testament to their durability!

Anyone have any comments on that latest photo I just posted of the hull on the 81' and the owners comment about repairing a crack?

Also - one last question - I'm assuming even $1k is an OK deal for this type of boat even with an inoperable motor?

THANKS AGAIN!

[Freedom77]

Hi NAVY: Like the captain of the Titanic Said, "Don't worry folks, we just stopped to pick up a little ice!" Crack in hull is real bad. $500 is OK. Mast, boom, sails, pulpits, rudder engine mount, hardware etc are worth at least that. Plus you mentioned outboard. I would strip everything off including rubber gasket around hull/topside and use it or sell it. Keel is cast iron. Another Mac 25 owner in the area might need one. Junk the rest. I didn't see that yellow boat came with trailer. Trailer is worth some if you have two.

You mentioned lights. Get an 8 ft piece of aluminum strut or square tubing. Go down to harbor freight and buy a set of LED lights and about 30-35 feet of wiring. mount lights on strut. Attach light bar to stern pulpit and run wiring over top of boat to vehicle. When not in use store in car. Been doing this for over 40 years and have never had problem with shorts or corrosion. K.I.S.S. Keep us posted. Good Luck...Fair Winds and Full Sails...Old Salt

[NavySailor]

So the seller of the yellow sailboat has told me that there is a 1" hairline crack on his hull and that he gets about a 1/2" of water in the bilge but that's it. He keeps it in the water so it can't be all that bad... RIGHT?
Seems I could repair that kind of damage with something like this: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/fibergla ... Ogod0kwABQ

thoughts???

[mastreb]

I wouldn't say that's okay. The hull needs to be sound on a new boat, or you're going to be chasing problems while you're trying to learn to sail it and you'll get really discouraged and quit after a while. And you have to figure in how much time it'll take you and the effect on your family. I value my time way too much to spend 100 hours saving $1000 bucks.

The problem isn't just the crack: The problem is that whatever caused that crack was an enormous amount of force that has probably also caused other problems you're not yet aware of. With the condition of the trailer and the inop motor, I'd say that boat is just as salvage as the other one.

Honestly I'd keep looking until you find a sound, dry hull. Sorry about that--I know you're excited to get into the water, but a waiting to find a dry boat will actually get you into the water faster.

[81venture]

1 inch crack isn't a dealbreaker...but mastreb is right in that it depends on where it is, and how it was caused.

I have fixed worse, I have replaced transoms, I have extensive fiberglass experience...so my thoughts on "it's not so bad" will differ from others here.

As far as your "kit" that you provided the link for that makes me think you have very little experience with Resins and what not...there is a lot to learn...whether to use a short strand filler, resin and cloth, biaxial, roving, chopped mat....it can be daunting.

I replaced an entire companionway on a catalina where the keel winch failed and ripped the floor/winch mount right out of the boat...We sailed her two weeks ago

If you're in the market a nice boat I have an 0'day 22 will be up for market in a week or two...with a working motor and fresh paint and newer sails

dave

[81venture]

1 inch crack isn't a dealbreaker...but mastreb is right in that it depends on where it is, and how it was caused.

I have fixed worse, I have replaced transoms, I have extensive fiberglass experience...so my thoughts on "it's not so bad" will differ from others here.

As far as your "kit" that you provided the link for that makes me think you have very little experience with Resins and what not...there is a lot to learn...whether to use a short strand filler, resin and cloth, biaxial, roving, chopped mat....it can be daunting.

I replaced an entire companionway on a catalina where the keel winch failed and ripped the floor/winch mount right out of the boat...We sailed her two weeks ago

If you're in the market a nice boat I have an 0'day 22 will be up for market in a week or two...with a working motor and fresh paint and newer sails

dave

[NavySailor]

Looked at the yellow boat - it's in pretty good shape with the exception of the crack. It's really too bad. The crack is on the starboard side of the keel. It is about an inch long, and about a quarter inch wide in the middle. It's at the corner of the hull that is recessed to allow the keel to fold up. The way the keel rests in the stowed position, the forward part leans to starboard, and does rub against the starboard side of that recess. That would probably make it difficult to ever fix 100% I guess. Guessing someone at the sailing school (previous owner) whacked into something at a pretty good clip!

And yes you guessed it - ZERO experience here working with fiberglass! But I'm willing to learn.

So - he said he'd take $750 for the boat (he paid $1500 two years ago), the inoperable outboard with the cracked carb which he has a replacement part for, the original MacG trailer with the rusted beam (which actually didn't look as bad as it does in the photo), all the sails, PFDs, bumpers etc...

As you guys pointed out - I just don't think I want the hassle of always getting the water out. I was wondering since I'd plan to use her as a day sailor and she'd rarely be in the water for more than 8 or so hours at a time how bad the bilge could get. But I just don't want a yucky musty cabin and the possibility of the crack getting worse over time.

I'm heavily leaning towards looking for another boat.

[81venture]

Looked at the yellow boat - it's in pretty good shape with the exception of the crack. It's really too bad. The crack is on the starboard side of the keel. It is about an inch long, and about a quarter inch wide in the middle. It's at the corner of the hull that is recessed to allow the keel to fold up. The way the keel rests in the stowed position, the forward part leans to starboard, and does rub against the starboard side of that recess. That would probably make it difficult to ever fix 100% I guess. Guessing someone at the sailing school (previous owner) whacked into something at a pretty good clip!

And yes you guessed it - ZERO experience here working with fiberglass! But I'm willing to learn.

So - he said he'd take $750 for the boat (he paid $1500 two years ago), the inoperable outboard with the cracked carb which he has a replacement part for, the original MacG trailer with the rusted beam (which actually didn't look as bad as it does in the photo), all the sails, PFDs, bumpers etc...

As you guys pointed out - I just don't think I want the hassle of always getting the water out. I was wondering since I'd plan to use her as a day sailor and she'd rarely be in the water for more than 8 or so hours at a time how bad the bilge could get. But I just don't want a yucky musty cabin and the possibility of the crack getting worse over time.

I'm heavily leaning towards looking for another boat.

offer him $500 cash!

the yellow boat is worth that...a cracked carb is also not a deal breaker, and he has a spare...get the motor running and thats a $400 bill right there (anyone else watch storage wars) besides I will bet you the "crack" in the carb is probably the top plastic piece where the throttle roller is attached...i usually JB weld them. I have an Evinrude 6hp and a Johnson 9.9 with the same crack, and they both run great.

Drag it down here to the Marina and we'll fix the crack in the hull. doubtful its that bad, and again at $500 you get a trailer to sell, a motor, mast/gear/sails.

it's worth it. Sometimes they are keepers, sometimes they are Donald trump Boats (worth more in pieces like he does to companies he buys and sells)
but at $500 I'd get it.


Moderater, please delete one of those posts above...somehow I posted the same thing 2 times last night??

dave