ah well – you guys told me not to touch it

probs with the 4.5 Centaur from a brief survey that make 4.5k hopelessly optimistic - such a shame as the inside is fantastic

 

maybe she is a scrapper

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/sailing-around-britain/interesting-centaur-4500/

 

 

1. The Hull
a) Blisters
On examining the hull below the waterline seven areas of paint coverings were removed
down to the gelcoat. In all of these areas blisters were noted. They are about 5mm in diameter.
When spiked a dark, strong smelling liquid seeped out. This was tested using Litmus paper
and found to be acidic indicating that they are Osmotic. The laminate behind these blisters is
still hard and the hull currently is not in a seriously unstable condition. However, the osmosis
appears to be widespread and will inevitably require remedial treatment in the near future.
Best practice would be to have a new osmosis treatment carried out as soon as possible. If it is
delayed it should be clearly understood that the longer remedial treatment is delayed the
greater is the risk of serious laminate damage occurring.
b) Crack
There is some impact damage to the hull found on the starboard side approximately 1.5
metres aft of the stem and 70cm below the waterline. This consists of a crack approximately 8
cm long and other smaller cracks in the adjacent gelcoat. When pressure was put onto the
gelcoat, water oozed out. It was not possible to gain access to this area internally as the fitted
water tank obscures the hull here, but bearing in mind that Centaurs are solidly built it is
unlikely the crack will have penetrated the hull. However there is a small crack in the
bulkhead bonding aft of the water tank locker which may have occurred as part of this
damage.
The recommendation for both cracks would be to grind back to solid structure and laminate
new material in place.
Mandy Bruce Yacht Surveyor YDSA Affiliate BMSE Member
17 North Quay, Conyer, Kent, ME9 9HL [email protected]
01795 522590 07771 855897
MAGELLAN YACHT
S u r v e y s
2. Rudder
The rudder has suffered a significant knock aft and the rudder stock is bent. In turn this affects
the steering controls in that the tiller cannot be pushed fully to the port side. Seen internally
the fitting at the lower end of the rudder tube is very corroded and it is suspected that this has
been damaged and water is entering via the bolts. The recommendation would be to drop the
rudder and examine all the component parts. It is not possible to straighten the stock and
therefore a replacement rudder should be budgeted for.
3. Keel Support
Centaurs are known to have structural problems relating to the keel root areas and most have
had remedial work to reinforce the laminate around this area. Seen internally the port keel has
been reinforced with an extra web over the keel root and extra layers of laminate. However,
there is a crack in the bonding to the aft web on this side, which requires grinding back and
laminating to ensure the integrity of the original design is retained.

 

 

This is about Dylan Winter's Blog, Sailing around Britain.

8 Responses to “ah well – you guys told me not to touch it”

  1. 12 September, 2015 at 5:15 pmNiall Moran says:

    yeah, that was the worst one you’ve found so far….interestingly i’ve had an email from boatshed who twigged i was browsing centaurs (following your links!) and specifically the one in east devon with the recent beta engine for 5750. They said that it’s been advertised since november 2014 and (i quote) “The owner is very keen to sell and is open to reasonable offers for a quick sale.” Might be a deal to be had?

  2. 12 September, 2015 at 5:24 pmdylan winter says:

    I am warming to that one

    tatty but viable

    I reckon I could pull her round in a month or two

    D

  3. 12 September, 2015 at 5:34 pmNiall Moran says:

    i like that one as the basics (and expensive bits) all seem good – engine, sails, rigging and a bit of cosmetic elbow grease could see her looking lovely. I’d be tempted by that if i was in the market.

    No mention of keel strengthening though – is that an essential centaur upgrade?

  4. 12 September, 2015 at 5:36 pmdylan winter says:

    I work on the basis that if it is not broken after 40 years then it is okay for the time being

    although most have been fixed. I have offered 4 – they want me to come and see it

    I will go and have a look when I get home

    unless something g else comes up

    D

  5. 13 September, 2015 at 1:16 amTed B. (Charging Rhino) says:

    For a young person or young couple interested in a nice “first sailboat” without a big investments to just sail the Essex rivers on the weekends she’d be an interesting candidate at 2-thousand pounds. A nice afternoon on the water, a quiet evening with dinner in the cockpit admiring the sunset, and a place to shag without disturbing the roommates or the parents, yes….

    For sailing the Hebrides and around Ireland, HELL NO…

    Sorry.

  6. 14 September, 2015 at 5:57 pmTim says:

    Just wanted to know if you knew anything about a Robert Ives 21 Bilge Keel Pocket Cruiser and a Lister Petter inboard?
    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/5219126640.html

  7. 14 September, 2015 at 6:03 pmdylan winter says:

    buy it

    it looks great

    forget the inboad – more trouble than it is worth

    D

  8. 14 September, 2015 at 6:04 pmdylan winter says:

    buy it

    it looks great

    forget the inboard – more trouble than it is worth

    D

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