Does the Sun Fast 32i have a known problem with the keel?

[pouldam]

Hi,

My parents introduced me to sailing when I was a kid and after many years away from sailing me and my familiy have decided to pick up this wonderful activity.

We are on the hunt for our first boat, and are currently eyeing a used Sun Fast 32i from 2004. During my research I have come across a French web side that is causing me some concern. I do not understand a word French, so I have to rely on Google Translate which is not always fully intelligable.

The site is this: www.hisse-et-oh.com/forums/forums-techniques/messages/1390249-recherche-d-informations-et-avis-sur-sun-fast-32i

From my understanding there has been several issues with the keel/hull junction needing reinforcement work on the SF32i. From the thread it is also my understanding that Jeanneau has aknowledged this. Finally it is also my understanding that the issue was fixed with the 2005 version of the SF32i.

Has any of you heard anything about this or am I letting myself being misinformed here?

Thanks in advance,
Poul

[MalcolmP]

Welcome Poul

I do not have any specific knowledge of the SF32i and if it did or did not have a hull to keel weakness. That said most modern bolt on keels it will be an area of potential concern when buying a boat in case prior owners had hard groundings especially rock at higher speeds. It is undoubtedly messy, but should not be difficult or potentially that  expensive to drop the keel on a 32i and have additional glass and epoxy laid up if it does need reinforcing or has has damage, that way you can also check the keel bolts and will benefit from fresh mastic - see: www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/KeelSO43DS.html

You do need to get a qualified competent and well regarded surveyor to make a thorough inspection whilst boat is out of the water.

If it does need reinforcement this should be fully negotiable off the asking price

Good luck and do let us know the outcome.

[pouldam]

Thanks for offering good advice. Today we went to see the boat and although the model surely appeals to us we have some concerns in addition to (and somewhat related to) my first post.

There seems to be a gap between the front of the keel and the hull as well as some marks (in lack of a better word) near the aft of the keel. The latter may just be the antifouling coming off. Seller is the third owner and has only had the boat for one year. He is not aware of any groundings. Should I be worried about this?

drive.google.com/open?id=1-Bm7vDj3FWp9h7LsTUZIyGbA4hGGsgdN

drive.google.com/open?id=1-FA9zw3an8FoJY32Q16w3iUt8MiJPUAk

What also struck me is the extreme amount of rust at the keel bolts. The debris in the first picture was stuff that I easily peeled of with my fingers. Finally, looking closer it seems as if the glassfiber is weakened around the bolts (refering to the visible lines in the fiber).

drive.google.com/open?id=1-BGy5rEw9jgflEpRmWziEQa-SLf72EW5

drive.google.com/open?id=1-ANolhw6Y_AkqSxjdar2LXezTSeEeDtz

drive.google.com/open?id=1-A7dRMk2NpHQdDUGC4fARpC0NWf3UZTD

I would expect this amount of rust to be critical, but please chime in with all your experience 🙂

[sitara]

Hi Poul,

In your photo with the single rusty keel bolt I can see some cracks in the gel coat. This may have been caused by a grounding and may only be gel coat cracks. It is possible that the glass structure beneath the gel coat is OK. The rusty keel bolts are probably OK. If this was my boat I would drop the keel, replace keel bolts if necessary and check that there was no cracking in the hull.

This boat looks a bit neglected, have a look at as many alternative boats as possible so you get a good idea of what condition to expect. Also as Malcolm mentioned any repair work necessary and general condition should be reflected in the asking price. Another consideration is that the SunFast range were sold as the performance boats so may have had a harder life than a similar SO model.

Good luck with the hunt, it is an exciting time.

Rob