Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: Black sludge and mold in bilge http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/general-forum/black-sludge-and-mold-in-bilge Simple:Press Version 5.6.7 Leo Uhran on Black sludge and mold in bilge http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/general-forum/black-sludge-and-mold-in-bilge#p3712 General Forum http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/general-forum/black-sludge-and-mold-in-bilge#p3712 That boat has been for sale for a long time. It was on the market a year ago when I started looking for my 38.  My first thought would be that this boat may have had water sitting high in the bilge for some period time creating a sludge line and the following mold, an indication of being wet. My water tanks have a 6 inch access installed so I can open and physically look inside the tanks. Not sure what the factory access was. (my front tank has a drip in the aft corner and is not being used, it will need replacement. It has already been coated sealed on the inside and that has failed after 5 years) You could pressure test the tank to see if it is sound. These tanks are stainless steel and what happens is the welds that hold the baffles inside the tank in place rust thru at the baffle welds and these are really difficult to get to or not repairable at all.

Be very cautious with this boat, if a lot of the systems are original and inoperative. Getting a deal in price and then having to spend 50k+ in refit and upgrade is not a deal. Unless your looking for a project. These boats although classics are seemingly not holding any value. My 77 has a brand new motor yanmar40, <200hrs. complete new wiring, standing & running rigging, sails, canvas, batteries (735amp hrs), cutlass brg, peeled new bottom, completely new painted awlgrip hull and topsides, Bow sprit, davits, wind gen, solar, inflatable, She's a real beauty to look at and it was only considered BUC above condition only (which was what it surveyed at). You may want to look up the valuation on" BUCValu". This is the site boat mortgage companies and surveyors reference for vessel valuation. If BUC says its only worth X$$ that's all it's worth based on its condition, regardless of what the owner thinks its worth. This one sounds to be in Fair, closer to Poor condition. That puts valuation around 18k.

Good luck

SV Paper Moon, Port St Lucie Fla.

]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 08:27:05 -0400 noob on Black sludge and mold in bilge http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/general-forum/black-sludge-and-mold-in-bilge#p3711 General Forum http://downeasteryachts.com/forums/general-forum/black-sludge-and-mold-in-bilge#p3711 I looked at a 38 that is for sale in San Diego and it has thick black sludge topped with mold in the bilge. Frown It appears to be very close or touching the bottom of the two stainless water tanks at midship below the two sole hatches. There are a few spots of rust on the top of the tanks.

My question is how would one know if the bottom of the tanks are totally wasted on the tank bottom? 

The boat looks reasonable nice on the outside Laugh, but most systems are old and inoperable except the Universal 5432 engine was rebuilt and seemed to idle well. 

 

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1979/downeaster-38-3132605/?refSource=standard%20listing

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