Used Boat Stored in Water
 

I think I know the answer, but wanted to pass it by everyone else.

Looking at a 1991 Fountain 27 Fever that as the owner describes...
"There were mulitple years where the boat sat in water for the entire boating
season, always fresh water...."

Boat has been in dry dock storage since 2000. Any issues with water permeating through the gel and getting into the fiberglass, and causing a whole host of problems? Boat does not have bottom paint.

Original owner with only 111 hours (engine and hull). Is this a diamond in the rough or something to run away from?

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Have it surveyed. If it was wet and has since dried out, delamination would most likely have reared it's ugly head!!! The old hammer test will show it.

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Every boat I've had has sat in fresh water for the entire season and stored in the winter. Never had any problems. Fountain is a quality boat (I had one that sat in the water all year) so I'm sure it's fine. Check the bottom for any stress cracks or small bubbles in the gel. Good luck.

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

1990 has had 12 years in the water.

No rot, drive needs new paint.

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Regardless to what anybody says, Fiberglass is porous and will permeate water through it. Listen to craig223. I agree with him, have it surveyed.

Good luck,
Jack

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Run!.... Forrest.... Ruuuuuuunnnnnn!............. :D

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Fountains have a lot of wood in them... the transom... the stringers.. the bulkheads.... mine was left standing in water and it had lots of water in the stringers and bulkheads.... you guys know what that means.... repair-time.... :(

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

I would think that worst case scenario the boat might have blisters, but I have never heard of water seeping into the stringers from below. Most guys that I have heard about with wet wood in Formulas were not covered well and the water came in from above. And usually there has been a secondary reason like bad glass wrap around a bulkhead, etc.

I never thought of Formulas as ticking timebombs in general, but I would still have it surveyed. Audiofn on OSO had a good detailed thread about his Formula and the problems he found/repaired.

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

So, do we collectively think it's worth dropping $500 to order a survey now in hopes that everything is OK, or is it time to keep looking.

At only 111 original hours, don't you think that if the boat was used enough to keep it in the water that you'd put more than an average of 12.3 hours per season on it? (9 yrs use, unused since 2000)

Re: Used Boat Stored in Water
 

Here's a pic. Definately has some stain on the hull. Owner claims that it can be removed. But, it's been there since 2000!