Houseboat help

[Cliftonchr]

Hi guys,

I'm considering purchasing this houseboat.

One of my concerns is the fiberglass walkways on the sides have soft spots. What are some suggestions to reinforce these? Everything else checks out.

Fiberglass over the top?

Thin synthetic decking planks?

Some sort of grating that's rigid?

Thanks in advance.

 

[salty87]

Re: Houseboat help

if there are soft spots in the fiberglass, there are problems in the laminate. if you cover it with something, you're just sweeping the problem under the rug. these spots could be a sign of larger problems, much larger. in the very least, they'll only get worse even if covered over.

is this your first boat? are you getting it surveyed?

 

[Cliftonchr]

Re: Houseboat help

This would be my first houseboat, currently have a ski boat. I was told that there aren't really any surveyors in our area. The skinny on the boat is it's a 1971 burncraft, 38', with a 200 evinrude outboard, fiberglass/plastic hull and that the guy is selling for $8k. The current owners bill of sale is from 4 years ago at $16k and my understanding is he has some medical situation that is causing him to sell it asap.

I am having a guy who has restored houseboats check it out. From what I have seen so far the only real issue is the side walkways, other than that mostly just cleaning it up better.

 

[danond]

Re: Houseboat help

The "medical situation" story that causes people to sell things quickly isn't uncommon. I'd consider the $8K an "I hope you don't find out whats wrong" price versus a "have to sell it quick" price.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Houseboat help

is there any way to get underneath the deck, and look at the supports? That would be the first place to check. If they are rotted, odds are there is alot more rot throughout the boat = huge job. have you checked the transom?

 

[Cliftonchr]

Re: Houseboat help

Yeah starting to think he's shady, I called him earlier and told him my concerns about the soft decks and asked if there were any panels inside the cabin we could open to check out the supports and he basically played dumb, like we'd have to tear out the walls, and blah, blah. I think we could have accessed around the sink or another area, but he didn't sound too interested in me figuring out how.

Transom is fine.

I dont think the supports are rotted, or at least the stringers should be fine as I read they are hollow fiberglass and that Burnscraft was one of the best built houseboats as they didn't cut corners.

Basically pretty sure he got hosed 4 years ago when he bought it cause he didn't get a survey or realize what he was doing then and now he's trying to pass the buck. I told him if he couldn't sell it and got down in the $4k range I'd buy it but I would need to tear into the walls or whatever it took to see the supports. lol

 

[Budcruiser]

Re: Houseboat help

I look at a houseboat just like it. It had same soft spots. A boat repair guy said wood under the deck was roten. It would have to be replaced and not chep. I walked away.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Houseboat help

At $4k it is almost disposable, use it for a few years, might even get a decade, and go find another one.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Houseboat help

Try asking on here-

http://www.houseboatmagazine.com/fusetalk/forum/index.cfm?forumid=1

Maybe you'll find someone with more experience with that boat.

My thoughts are pass on it.