Thinking of buying.

[Jonathan]

I am in the process of desiding to buy an early 70's F-36. The boat is in good shape and the interior is stellar. I plan on putting from 10-20k into it after I purchase it. I would like to know what potetial problems and upgrades I should look for and make. I will have it surveyed prior to purchace and hauled. I know this is a broad question but anything will help. P.S. It has 440"s and an upper and lower helm with bunks in the starboard stateroom.
Thank you,
Jonathan

[prowlersfish]

The thing to look for weel decks and cabin roof the balsa core can get wet and rot . but it can be fixed

[Danny Bailey]

Paul is right...the balsa coring in the foredeck and flybridge floor is the worst weak spot...gets wet and rots out leaving you with a spongy cracked deck. Also, if the original Groco throughhulls and seacocks haven't been replaced, do away with them. Trojans are, except for the balsa coring in some locations, well built boats. The hull is solid fiberglass and almost 3/4 inch thick in the bottom. Their backbones are massive fir stringers that run the length of the boat. I've not found any rot at all in the structural grid system of my 1980 F-36.

[duchess]

hi there if you send me an e mail i will send pics of my 36 with the lower helm modified to do away with the lower console and wheel but leaving the gauges i dont know how to post the pics here

[JuiceClark]

There's a lot of conversation in previous posts about F-36s. This is just an awesome resource for you to look for maintenence problems.
They hit the major weakness above. I would just add that on pre-1980 F-36s the cockpit deck was wood (glass in later models) and eventually needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Also, be careful of old, galvanized gas tanks. Have them inspected.

Congrats and good luck,

Tony in Sw Florida
1982 F-36