Info about colin archer design

[Ed5]

Dear friends,
My wife and I are seriously considering the purchase of a '72 Colin Archer design 32' cutter. We have no questions about the safety profile of this design but need some reassurance re: the hull. The hull description follows as per the survey: "The rugged triple diagonal Iroko wood in resorcinol glue construction utilizes copper rivets throughout and is encapsulated in with fiberglass and epoxy with a final layer of dynel and epoxy. The decks were covered in 2002 with roving woven glass and epoxy." And "The constructon reportedly consisted of an middle layer of 3/8' diag planking sandwiched between 3/8" longitudinal carvel planking as an inner and outer layer."
Is it reasonable to expect this hull to hold up, with proper maintenance, for the next decade, or even longer? Anythings special to watch out for?
Thanks for your comments.

[Ed5]

Brian,

Thanks for the help. Per an older survey of approx one year, the hull passed inspection well with "no signs of rot, deterioration, delamination, or cupping."

Are there any books/manuals that might serve as a good resource for a beginner such as I that guides one through the care and upkeep of such a wooden hull?
Ed

[martin schulz]

Originally posted by Ed5:

Are there any books/manuals that might serve as a good resource for a beginner such as I that guides one through the care and upkeep of such a wooden hull?
Ed

Well actually it isn't a wooden hull. All those methods as to how to handle a wooden hull - like the extensive use of linseed oil, stockholm-tar, Le Tonkinios... won't do on a glassed hull.

[Ian McColgin]

That sort of composit construction is very very durable but a bit hard to survey. It would help you a lot if the boat's construction was documented in some way, pictures, builder available for you to check out, or something.

As with any boat, you'll be doing most of the negotiation before survey, which is to ensure that there are no time bombs in the the boat, not to reopen the price, unless the time bomb is repairable.

In your own poking about, look at the tops of the keel bolts and areas around through hulls to see if there's anything nasty. Sniff the bilges. All that usual stuff.

For the real survey, perhaps your surveyor will dismantle a couple of through hulls and through decks to get at the wood core for a moisture test.

Do lots of patient tapping especially around any hatches, ports, stauncheons or anything else that pierces the outer layers. If you find a spot that taps with a dull thphludh, there's a point of interest.

G'luck

[Ed5]

Gentlemen,
A bit of knowledge, and good direction such as this, bolsters one's confidence to move forward.................ever so many thanks.