Is this delamination starting 1978 H16

I have been reading more and more about older boats and delimitation happening. I was or still thinking about getting this boat but noticing this( picture below) makes me wonder what kinda of headache ensues trying to patch up an older H16. http://s31.postimg.org/zel0jxfwb/0410161301.jpg

That is seam separation - a failure of the bond between the hull and deck. Likely the result of an impact or possibly repeated stress loading on the forestay bridles. It's not the same thing as delamination which is a failure of the hull panels themselves. Seam separation is a fairly easy repair and not nearly the death sentence for the hull that delamination is.

That said, on a 1978 boat, I would check every square inch of the hull for softness because on a boat that old, delamination would almost be expected.

sm

Just curious as I'll be flipping my 16 over to look for where it's leaking, how would you fix the separation? I have one hull leaking someplace up high and there is no visible damage, so I may need to know. I tried youtube but didn't find this.

The fix is relatively simple:

1) Clean out the crack and any loose material with a Dremel tool (ideal) or hand tools (some less than ideal).
2) Vacuum out the crack and clean thoroughly with acetone.
3) Spread the crack as best you can (without making it worse) with small wedges or tongue depressors.
4) Fill the crack with thickened epoxy (use Cab-o-Sil or WEST 406 colloidial silica as the thickening agent). Remove the wedges as you work along the crack.
5) Clamp the crack shut with spring clamps or whatever's handy - Vise Grips have been used in the field before.
6) Clean off the excess before it cures.
7) Let cure, remove clamps, clean up any additional excess with file / sandpaper. Masking tape on the hull will prevent scratching areas you don't want scratched.

I've seen this done on the beach (well, OK - in the parking lot next to the beach) overnight and the boat raced the next day.

Well the only problem is I am not anywhere near the place the boat is located. So and the guy won't come down off the price and it does not have a trailer and he is asking 1400. There are pictures on one of my previous post
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=57338
Let me know what you guys think. I think I am going to have to throw in the towel on this one. I have been looking for over a year and a half, not fun.

just my .02 I wouldn't go 1400 for it. maybe 800 if it was something i really wanted bad for the color. Too many variables without being able to touch and feel it, and sail it. I paid 800 for mine, it has good upgrades and it came with a lesson,(i had never sailed anything), and an invite to bring it to the seller for any help with anything for it.

For $1400 I would expect VERY nice hulls. Id pass on the boat at that price with no trailer, for a '78?.......keep looking!! He's crazy.

I would keep looking. . . . I purchased a 83' with a trailer, good hulls and good sails for 1200 in MN just a year ago.

Good luck in your quest

- Joe