| Buying a Used Boat Hull: Topside Configurations |
From "Shipshape Boating"
episode DSSB-204 |
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Not only can you choose from different types of hulls, but you can also choose what type of features you want the boat itself to have. Host John Greviskis shows you a few options that are on the market today.
- Cuddy Cabins (figure A) are great for boaters who may want to take the family out on an all day excursion. They provide a place for passengers to get out of the weather, sleep in or just relax in the shade.
- Some boats have center consoles, which allow access from any direction. The down side is that you generally only have a T-top covering (figure B) the console, which will not give shade to anyone other than the captain and one passenger.
Tips for Inspecting a Used Hull
- Use a plastic hammer to tap on the outside of the hull next to the stringers (figure C). If it makes a dull or flat sound, then there may be rotting. To check the stringers for rotting, remove the hatch to gain access to the stringers from the inside of the hull.
- With the permission of the owner, drill a hole into the stringers (figure D). If the wood chips are gold in color, then the stringers are in good shape. But if the wood is dark then chances are water has leaked in and may have caused some rotting.
Note: If the stringers are hollow (not wood), then you don't have to worry about rotting.
- Sand through the paint on the bottom of the hull (figure E) to see if there is any blistering, also called osmotic blistering. Osmotic blistering does not affect the performance of the boat, but it will lower its value.
- One other thing to look for when inspecting a boat is spider cracking on the outside of the fiberglass. If the cracking is severe, there may need to be repairs made. This type of damage will also lower the boats value.
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