I'm just looking at a 1986 Catalina 14.2 that has barely been used in its lifetime, but has been stored outside without a uv cover. The hiking straps are rotted away, the plastic around the shrouds is mostly gone, the cubby cover is virtually destroyed, but apart from that the boat seems to be in excellent condition. The original 1986 sails and sheets, which have been kept indoors, look in brand new condition.
The boat itself seems in wonderful condition...no cracks in the gelcoat that I can see, no blistering, or soft areas, but I'm no expert. What kind of damage UV damage should I expect to see in a fiberglass boat thats been in the california sun for 23 years?
All the hardware seems in mostly excellent condition (except the plastic roller at the top of the mast that the halyard goes over...not sure of the exact name, but I'm hoping thats easy and cheap to replace).
Any advice on whether there may be hidden problems from the lack of covering, would be welcomed.
Thanks
Pat.
The boat itself seems in wonderful condition...no cracks in the gelcoat that I can see, no blistering, or soft areas, but I'm no expert. What kind of damage UV damage should I expect to see in a fiberglass boat thats been in the california sun for 23 years?
All the hardware seems in mostly excellent condition (except the plastic roller at the top of the mast that the halyard goes over...not sure of the exact name, but I'm hoping thats easy and cheap to replace).
Any advice on whether there may be hidden problems from the lack of covering, would be welcomed.
Thanks
Pat.