Surveyor David Pascoe reviewed two Cruisers express cruisers, the 4270 Esprit and the 4280. He found the hulls sound: solid glass on the 4280, no blisters on the 4270. The problems were in how the boats were finished: deck fit, plywood in wet places, vents and hatches.
Deck fit at the transom
On the 4280, the deck didn't fit the hull, leaving a large gap at the transom filled with putty. The putty was falling out and water was leaking into the hull. It had also got into the balsa cored deck on one side, leaving a big soft spot where the core was probably rotted.
Where to look. The hull to deck joint at the transom and quarters for gaps, putty and leaks. Sound and meter the deck along that side.
Plywood decks over the bilge
Also on the 4280, the forward bilge areas had been decked over for storage with plywood a few inches above the bilge. It got wet, and the decks in all three compartments were badly rotted. The bridge seating, foam and vinyl over plywood, was starting to rot even under enclosures.
Where to look. Every storage deck close to the bilge: probe for soft or black plywood.
Fuel tank vents
On the 4280 the fuel tank vents were installed wrong and channelled water into the tanks. Pascoe's pointing this out ended the owner's seven year battle with fuel problems.
Where to look. Each vent fitting's position on the hull, the hose run to the tank, and any loop or high point that should keep water out. Ask about water in fuel filters.
Bow hatch and windlass on the 4270
On the 4270 Esprit, the anchor runs through a slot into a triangular bow hatch holding the windlass, its controls and the rode. When the bow goes into a wave, water gushes up under the hatch cover, and the hatch can't be sealed, so on that boat the windlass and electrics got wet and failed.
Engines on the 4270
The 4270 had Caterpillar 3126 engines, which Pascoe notes had cylinder head problems that were supposedly fixed. He found carbon in the cooling system of one engine, which usually points to a compression leak. The engine room was small and cramped, with engines and fuel tanks packed close.
Where to look. On a Cat 3126, the service history for head work, coolant for carbon and oil, and an engine survey with oil and coolant analysis.
What to check on a Cruisers
| Area | What to look for | Source of the concern |
|---|---|---|
| Deck to hull joint at the transom | Gaps filled with putty, leaks | Pascoe, Cruisers 4280 |
| Side deck core | Soft spots from leaks | Pascoe, Cruisers 4280 |
| Plywood decks over the bilge | Rot | Pascoe, Cruisers 4280 |
| Fuel tank vents | Water entering the tanks | Pascoe, Cruisers 4280 |
| Bow hatch and windlass | Water entry, failed electrics | Pascoe, Cruisers 4270 |
| Caterpillar 3126 engines | Head repairs, carbon in coolant | Pascoe, Cruisers 4270 |
Writing it up
"Fuel tank vent, starboard: vent fitting low on the hull side with the hose running downhill to the tank and no loop, water found in the primary fuel filter bowl. Recommend the vent is relocated or looped above the fitting, and the tank checked and drained of water." Water in fuel can stop both engines; grade it accordingly.