Hi
I'm currently considering buying a '94 Tiki 26 in need of a lot of love (but a cheap purchase...). The boat will be my first real boat restoration project.
I am however worried about the state of the crossbeams. They seem to have small cracks running along what I suppose are the joints in the underlying wood. Not knowing exactly how the crossbeams are build, I have a hard time figuring out, whether the cracks have actually endagered the structural integrety of the crossbeams? Or is it simply a question of repearing the existing beams? I have attached photos and would be very glad if anyone would take a look at them.
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If the crossbeams needs to by replaced how hard and expensive are they to build yourself? Do anyone know of a professional builder in Denmark / Sweden / North Germany who could otherwise do the job?
Thanks!
Br,
Lasse
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Wed, 08/07/2009 - 10:51
#1
Tiki 26 - In need of new crossbeams?
Wed, 08/07/2009 - 16:01
#2
Re: Tiki 26 - In need of new crossbeams?
If the beams were to plan, that crack would appear to be in the glass sheathing, as the top member of the beam is dimensional lumber, which doesn't crack that way. Since they will need to be repaired anyway, just grind down the area of the crack, and you will be able to tell more.
Wed, 08/07/2009 - 17:03
#3
Re: Tiki 26 - In need of new crossbeams?
I am no expert but I would agree with kwhitmyre - it looks like the beams are covered in glass sheathing and its that which has cracked. I wonder how long the crack has been exposed to the elements - during the restoration of my T21, I found that in areas where the sheathing had cracked, water had been able to get behind and some of the wood was soft. In my case it wasn't in structural areas and not on the beams. When you press either side of the crack, do you see any moisture appear and/or does it feel hard. Any localised softness needs serious inspection/attention.
Overall, in the pictures she looks good. My T21 was covered in green slime - much worse than in your pictures which enabled me to get a low offer accepted. After a jet wash, I was surprised how good she looked underneath.
You probably don't need me to tell you, take your time, prod every inch of the boat with your thumb to find the soft spots then you know exactly what you're getting in to. If she is varnished inside this may enable you to see the overall state of the hulls more clearly.