Sailing Magic Carpet · video

What this video covers

The owners of a 1980s Cape George sailboat assess the vessel’s structural condition after purchasing it sight unseen.2:10 The boat features a hand-laid solid fiberglass hull, but the owners identify significant rot in the bulwarks, a common flaw in older Cape George models where chain plates attach directly to wooden rails.8:38 Previous repairs by a third-party yard failed to resolve the issue, as they utilized wood rather than modern materials, leading to water intrusion into the deck beams and interior cabinetry.7:01 The owners plan to replace the bulwarks with non-wood construction and re-sheath the decks and cabin top in fiberglass.8:07 Additional findings include stress cracks in the deck finish and a compromised Samson post connection.22:38 The owners intend to replace all electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the engine, to ensure future reliability.12:20 They advise against purchasing boats with cored hulls, steel, or thin keels sight unseen, noting that the solid fiberglass construction of this full-keel design mitigated their purchase risk.28:07

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