camper top question

[sadworld]

am in the market to purchase a boat and i just looked at one. the camper canvas was all alligatored and cracking up and peeling off on the inside ceiling? the guy said it did not leak at all... should i be concerned? its original 1997 canvas barely used he said but....i don't want to spend 5k on a new camper top if that is a sign its ready to be replaced... thanks. matt.

 

[AMFM3]

Ya, that canvas is done. You'll need to replace it.

Mark

 

[fwebster]

If the inside is a vinyl backing, and it sounds like it is, then the only reason the top isn't leaking is because the boat is inside.

The product is called SeaMark and it is fabric that is produced by SeaMark buying Sunbrella then applying a vinyl backing to it to make it water proof. When new, it is water proof, but it cannot breathe so you usually have a mildew farm inside the boat in humid conditions. The other issue is that the vinyl backing holds water on between the Sunbrella and the vinyl. That will cause the Sunbrella to degrade and eventually rot much sooner than normal.

You don't say what type of boat it is, but the normal course of action is to make a deal with the seller spelling out what you are buying and what goes with the boat, what he has disclosed that doesn't work, give the seller a deposit but, leave contingencies for you to have the boat surveyed by a marine surveyor and for you to do a sea trial before the rest of the money and title changes hands. Then, when you call the surveyor, tell him you suspect the canvas has issues and ask him to specifically verify the condition of the top, the stitching and the isinglass. Then when you get the survey, you will know if you want to proceed with the deal as it stands or if you can't to reject the boat based on the defects the surveyor found. That opens the door to work out a price reduction or for the seller to repair any significant problems the surveyor found.

Good luck with it………..