Dumn Newbie Question: How do you know the hulls are water tight?

I know it's not always possible but it never hurts to see if the seller is willing take you out on the water to show you some basics and how to rig it.

Quarath wrote: I know it's not always possible but it never hurts to see if the seller is willing take you out on the water to show you some basics and how to rig it.

Its a good idea with any boat to have the owner take you out on it first if possible. (think of buying a car w/out test driving it)

I wouldn't buy a cat i couldn't go on a test sail first... unless it was brand new... and who buys a new cat??? lol

But to answer your question (which is not a stupid question at all)...

there are several ways.. of course a test ride is the first.
you can use a vacuum (or compressor) and add some pressure through the drain plug. you soap up the hulls and beams and see if it bubbles... this method is more typically used to find leaks than test for airtightness but would work. CAUTION MUST BE USED WITH THIS METHOD>.. you can do some real damage if you put in to much pressure. Also most (if not all) hulls have some way to breath and let out any built up pressure.. often its under the beam and not accessible without disassembly. Hulls will build up pressure with heating and cooling from the sun/surroundings/water/etc

Another option is to fill them with some water and see if it drips out... this method is used usually when the bubble method doesn't find the leak.. but you are taking on water.

edited by: andrewscott, Jul 29, 2009 - 10:04 AM

I would just give it a look over. inspect seams, look for repairs, have a look at what ever hold the tramp on(ie rails that rivit on), and look at the drain plugs. it will be pretty evident if the cat leaks enough to fuss about.

rch701 wrote: I would just give it a look over. inspect seams, look for repairs, have a look at what ever hold the tramp on(ie rails that rivit on), and look at the drain plugs. it will be pretty evident if the cat leaks enough to fuss about.

what do you expect to see? a hole? what would a repair show you? how can you see a rivit hole in a tramp track that will leak? you can't see under it?

I have seen holes in cats. seems that seperate. rivits that are loose. drain plugs and hatch covers that obviously are not water tight. repairs that look like they are delaminating or dont have enough resin would be obvious and possible leaking spots.

I think the question becomes how much you are paying for the cat. If you are buying a 25 year old boat for not a lot of money that is one thing. If you are buying a 5 year old boat that is another story.

I bought mine without taking it for a test sail. It was complete and at a good price, if it leaked some (which it does) I knew I could live with it and repair most problems. It was one of the 25 year old not every expensive category boats.

I bought mine without taking it for a test sail. It was complete and at a good price, if it leaked some I knew I could live with it and repair most problems. It was one of the 25 year old not every expensive category boats.

Same here, February in Cleveland was no time for sailing. I am very happy, and perhaps very lucky with my cat. While my craftsmanship is not quite professional, I can fibreglass and gelcoat away almost any little problem away.

Great recommendations guys... thanks so much. This is a really good forum.

rodrfami wrote: Great recommendations guys... thanks so much. This is a really good forum.

Spread the Word!
All beachcat sailors need to know there is a friendly place to share information and talk catamarans.

rodrfami wrote: When looking at a used catamaran, how can I tell if the hulls are really water tight?

When you can get back to shore without the coast guard 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

seriously a shop vac, with the hose attached to the discharge (so it is blowing air), soap up the hulls and slightly pressurize the hull through the drain plug.

Test sail is a very good idea. So is pressurizing the hulls.

I've bought two used boats, my Hobie from a dealer and it was obviously lightly used and in superb shape. My nacra was owned by a racer and was also in superb shape. I will always be fussy and willing to pay a bit more for a well maintained craft.

Have the owner set the boat up with you. Inspect everything.

i agree with Larry, if you can't go for a ride the very least you should do is rig it to make sure everything is there...

TAKE NOTES and bring a camera.. there are many steps and its easy to get overwhelemed

I bought one of the low-cost old boats, and made the assumption that I was going to have a few surprises and spend a good deal more getting it fixed up than what I paid for it. That all ended up true but I had budgeted for it and am very happy with the boat I ended up with.

I completely agree with rigging to make sure everything is there and what shape it is in. I thoroughly wish I had brought a camera; when I tried to rig it after getting it home I had a number of questions I was stuck on for a while.

svanlare wrote: I bought one of the low-cost old boats, and made the assumption that I was going to have a few surprises and spend a good deal more getting it fixed up than what I paid for it. That all ended up true but I had budgeted for it and am very happy with the boat I ended up with.

I completely agree with rigging to make sure everything is there and what shape it is in. I thoroughly wish I had brought a camera; when I tried to rig it after getting it home I had a number of questions I was stuck on for a while.

I was one of the lucky ones, after my first voyage not 1 drop in my 39 year old hulls. Although, I suppose fixing some small leaks would have been easier that stripping and painting all this wood, but for $800.00 I'm not complaining! 😎

edited by: cougarmarkIV, Aug 05, 2009 - 07:06 PM