Any additional Problems/Issues with a 2007 25 Cruiser?

P

petemos

New member
I haven't taken ownership of my 25 Cruiser yet and before i do any points or issues i should look out for? I see that the fresh water Pump should be replaced and or moved as it is not a sealed unit and sits in the bilge water. I also see that there tends to be some issues with the scuppers. Thanks in advance of any/all help offered.

Jim
 
I would be sure that any place a screw goes into the bottom of the boat, has the screw removed and that screw hole drilled out, and filled with epoxy. For the most part, the cabinet sides in the galley and under the dinette should be tabbed in with glass and epoxy rather than the screws and "L" brackets. Even more important that any screws not penetrate the hull either under the step in the cabin or in the aft area under the cockpit deck.

I would look for any stress cracks around the aft side of the cabin or transom--hopefully there will be one. Check to see if the top of the aft cabin bulkhead is sealed with a black flexiable sealant to the roof. (The aft bulkhead is cored). Also check to be sure that the bulkhead is fully tabbed in on both sides of the cockpit--if there is balsa exposed, be sure it is sealed.

I would also check any thru deck or hull fittings to be sure that the core is sealed.
 
Journey On is a 2005 C-25, whilst thataway is a 2003 model. I believe/hope that they have improved the issue since 03.

I will note my issues, but I've heard that they've fixed them. You might ask the dealer about them, because that's the last time you have any leverage.

First, we had water inside the cabin on our first extensive cruise. It was thrilling, but not fatal. The factory (in those days,) resealed the anchor locker, and the rub rail screws. The anchor locker was the main problem and a look inside the locker would reveal if there are gaps/holes in the caulk fillet. I plugged it during the cruise, and the factory laid a knew bead in. No water should get inside the cabin, and I haven't worried about replacing the L brackets or screws, though they aren't stainless, nor are they galvanized. Also check the seal, by spraying water at it, on the V-berth hatch.

Second, there is a drain plug in the transom. On Journey On, this was held in by 3 screws, which were stripped. Caulked and used bigger screws (#8.) Never heard of anyone else concerned about it.

Third, Journey On developed a crack on the transoms port side, after 3 seasons (we use the boat for summer cruises,) and the factory paid to have it fixed. No other gelcoat cracks, knock on fiberglass. I believe this has been upgraded since 2003, wherein Bob had to rebuild all of thataways transom. They don't use plywood there anymore. Nothing wrong, at this time with the rear cabin bulkhead.

Those are specific problems, all small and all fixed.

Check to see if all canvas fits, Judy did this, and it was worth it, just for the experience. Check everything out, just for good common sense.

Please note that these were all minor problems, and Journey On has been a good boat. Too big for some, too small for others, but it does have a private head. and has taken us to a lot of neat places.

The southern Boris
 
Petemos apparently has a new or used 2007 CD 25. The 2008 models have been made since July of 2007--so I don't assume that it has the latest molded interior (I have not seen the molded interior).

It is not the zinc coated (not galvanized, "L" brackets--and they are susposed to be using stainless steel "L" brackets when last the factory posted about this--and it was some time ago). It is that screws penetrate the bottom of the boat. The bottom of the 25 (and 22) is balsa cored. If water gets into the core it can eventually cause problems. The early 22's and 25's had very few screws into the core--the more recent (and this includes up into at least the 2006 boats) have a number of screws into the core. Also it seems as if the inner layer of glass may be slightly thinner than the earlier boats--thus the screws do not have as much to "grip into".
Once a screw is loose, if water gets around that screw, it will get into the core.

Yes, I have a 2003 boat which required extensive rebuilding of the upper corners of the transom, had water in the aft part of the bottom core (by the transom) Also some rot in the transom where the depth sounder transducer had been. (That is why I suggest that depth sounder transducers be screwed into Starboard not the hull). The cockpit floor had also had water intrusion into the balsa core--due to improper sealing of the hatches and screws. The cockpit floor was completely rebuilt using Nadicore (synthetic), plus all screws and hatches were properly bedded--and epoxy used around all edges.

I don't know when the transom was changed. The plywood, per say, was not the problem. The problem was insufficient glass re-inforcement. The strain was taken by the splash well, instead of the plywood being taken to the edges of the transom as it should have been. There was only one layer of glass mat on one part of the the splash well.--again, that was fixed with several layers of 18 oz biaxial cloth epoxied in place, and mat and cloth building up the corners and upper part of the transom.

We did remove the screws into the hull--and tab in the wooden interior wooden components.

I have seen a couple of 2007 boats, and saw some of the potential problems. I own a 2006 Tom Cat (one of the last built before 2007 models)--and it had some of the problems I suggested fixing, such as epoxy sealing any deck fittings.
 
Guys, thanks so much to the info and tips. This is a new 2007 so i will make sure the dealer looks at these issues with me before i sign-off on the deal. Great site. I look forward to many happy and safe years with this boat.

Thanks again.

Jim
 
Back
Top