I am currently in the process of potentially purchasing a 2009 382 Fastech w700 sci. During the survey, the surveyor found this while looking forward from starboard side storage bin in the cockpit. We are both concerned that it may be a cracked stringer although not sure as its in a hard to reach area. I wanted to get some opinions as I do not want to invest in a boat with a potential serious issue.

All Formula FASTechs are built with a pre-engineered grid of stringers, bulkheads and transverse supports. The grid is fabricated out of fiberglass and bonded to the hull with Plexus adhesive and then the grid is filled with foam. Corecell foam is used to strengthen the 292 FASTech’s hullsides and deck. When the hull and deck are joined, Formula uses a two-part process. First, a chemical bond is created with Plexus adhesive and then quarter-inch stainless steel bolts are installed every 18” with steel backing plates.


It could be plexus lining that had gaps in it from manufacturing process... we experienced that with our 353 Fastech...tons of threads on here about it. I suggest you contact "GlassDave" here on OSO and speak with him regarding this. Dave repaired our boat for us years ago....


Good luck,

So this pic is from the side compartment next to the helm? Looking forward? Just under the throttle cables? If so there should be a carpeted filler piece you pulled out to get to this area? The Black and red cables are running forward to the cabin elect panel? This is not a stringer but a bulkhead as it is in the vertical position way above the cockpit floor? If so this boat pic somehow looks older than a 09. The yellowing of the finish. Do you have any other pics ?

All fastechs have potential for a serious issue. Many of them have had the deck separate from the hull joint. Last summer at our local poker run a guy hit a cruiser wake landed kinda on the side, blew joint out and a hole in the side. Boat went under in a couple minutes. The deck joint is a serious weak spot on all of them.

I would really like any pictures of the hull/deck if they salvaged the boat. Of all 5 we had fail here in So Cal we never had a catastrophic failure, always repairable and no failures since. Boating on the Pacific is always a swell, sometimes big for 30 miles or more. Not just a cruiser wake.

I've only seen one bad failure, and that was years ago on a 312. The others that have been shown, have all been minor in relation to what you saw. Re glue the deck to the hull and screw and good for ever. Its a pain in the azz job for sure. like fossil fuel, I'd love to see the pictures of one that failed and sunk from the hull/deck separating.

Having trouble with the pic, will try again in a little bit

Not real clear with that photo, but it looks like there may have been some serious hull failure that contributed to the deck separation? That crack in the platform riser looks like it may have twisted the hull then blew the top off. Hope everyone got off safely.

Had to zoom in, didn't notice the damage on the port side at first. That's severe