2850 Command Bridge upper deck (flybridge) question-gctid374846

[Guest]

Hi all. Have a question about the Flybridge structure of a 2850 Command Bridge. I'm thinking of purchasing an 86 2850 Contessa Command Bridge located in CT. While I was inspecting the boat the Flybridge seemed to have more "bounce" to the floor than I thought it should have. I weigh 190lbs and while standing in about the middle of the flybridge if I shift my weight up and down (bounce) the floor seems to move more than I think it should. I understand there should be a little flex in the floor but I got the feeling that if five or six adults were up there it might not hold. I have never been up on one of these flybridges before so it might just be in my head.

How rigid should these floors be? How much "bounce" should they have?

The rest of this boat is in pretty good shape and I'm very interested. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[SKUA_28_Contessa]

Yeah it's a bit bouncy up there. Flooring is pretty thin. Haven't seen any issues with it, but I'm thinking of installing a removable post to support the helm a bit better. Problem is EVERYONE wants to be on the bridge and it gets crowded with two adult and teenagers! CHeck the bolts where the cabin windows to attach to the hull and where they attach to bridge cap. Mine were loose after 20 years.

[Guest]

I seem to recall my 2850 having a warning sticker with a "400lbs" weight limit on the flybridge. That makes sense for two reasons: The glass/plywood deck is fairly wide and putting more weight than that up high can make the boat pretty top heavy. If it looks like the waters going to get "sporty" I will usually pull every off the flybridge and drive from below. Its just common sense.

Bouncy can mean many things. Bayliner does drive screws right through the glass into the wood core. You might take an ice pick inside the cabin, poke through the monkee fur and see if it feels punky. I haven't done it myself so I can't tell you what to expect.

//Rick

[Guest]

My 83 contessa has a weight limit of 750 pounds, according to the warning plate. I don't remember any bounce, but can't say I was looking for it either.

Rick

[Guest]

I believe the 750# limit is correct. I have not noticed any bounce in mine even with fairly large crowds.

[Guest]

there is a good chance that floor has de-laminated or has wet balsa inside - both fairly costly - best ask for some expertise on site - your description is not sufficient to be sure. I do know on the larger ones like mine it is not that unusual. If you can show the PO it probably will affect the price.

[Guest]

I once walked a 38 that had definate rot in the bridge floor, and I would not call it bouncy at all. It was definatley soft, but had zero bounce. Just a thought...

[Guest]

bayskipper wrote:
I believe the 750# limit is correct. I have not noticed any bounce in mine even with fairly large crowds.

+1 I have the 84 model and even with 4 people up top, I have not noticed any bounce. I would think if you are feeling "bounce," there is a problem with the boat.

[dmcb]

bobsyiruncle wrote:
there is a good chance that floor has de-laminated or has wet balsa inside - both fairly costly - best ask for some expertise on site - your description is not sufficient to be sure. I do know on the larger ones like mine it is not that unusual. If you can show the PO it probably will affect the price.

This is one important thing to look for in a command bridge. Its not a simple fix. If the floor is spongy most likely there is a problem.

The fittings get loose, rails, seats, where ever there is screw holes. Water enters and rot starts.

It is common to rebed all screws as normal mantaince on these boats.

Doug