Hello All, I currently have a contract on a Tartan 37 K/CB Hull # 280 built in 1980. Survey set for October 8. I am really happy with the specs of the Tartan 37 and how they seem to fit well with my ideas on future uses of the boat. Actually, more than any other boat I can find in the size and price range, it seems to be "just right." This particular boat, cosmetically, has been brought to pretty darn close to like new condition. It's shiny inside and out (right down to the bilge), and all wood is newly finished and very nice. My concern is on the balsa core, especially the hull. I know that if the survey comes back with issues, I will probably back out and keep looking for another boat. What I'm worried about though is if the survey comes back with no issues. Does a balsa core on a 33 year old boat have another 30+ years in it? More or less so than solid hull of same age and same build quality? Are there other boat types of 60+ years that have a balsa core we can find for examples? I know a lot would come down to my attention to maintenance and how quickly I discovered any issues. But, even if I was very diligent, is delamination or breakdown of the balsa very likely? Just makes me worried about a future decision to either try to sell a seriously devalued boat or make a costly/very difficult repair one day. I know buying any older boat comes with risks, and once I make my decision, I will take those risks head on and deal with issues as they come. I guess I'm wondering if any of you had these thoughts when you purchased your Tartan or have had these thoughts through continued ownership of your Tartan. What conclusions have you come to? Are you thinking of selling your Tartan in the next 10 years "before any inevitable" balsa core problems come up. Should I scrap the whole idea and look for a hull of solid fiberglass? When I research "lifespan of balsa," I find a lot of model airplane discussions where they certainly say that balsa if kept under proper conditions will last the time frame we are talking about. I am sure they don't mean sandwiched between two fiberglass pieces and stored floating in the water though.
The only other item that I can find in this category of worry is the engine. It's the Westerbeke W-50, and the listing says rebuilt 2003. Again, I'm wondering about if the survey comes back that there are no major problems. What is the life span of the engine if I'm diligent with maintenance? Will I just need to "rebuild" again after another 13-23 years or should I figure that I will be replacing this at some point?
What other systems/elements am I missing that I should be thinking of in these terms? The items that I have found through research of the website and forum such as repairing water damage in rudder/center board, center board system repairs, rudder pintle replacement, etc don't seem easy but also don't scare me away like the above issues. I'm basically interested in big time inevitable problems that I may/will have to throw time and money at in the future and the thoughts you have had about these issues on an aging already older boat. What are current owners thoughts? Please assume (rightly) that I am ignorant and have no idea what I or you may be talking about. Thanks for any help, Zach Duncan