Hull Blisters Found Pre-Purchase . . . Need some advice

[tpenfield]

I looked at a boat today with intentions to buy . . .

13 year old 28 foot boat . . . twin 5.7's W/ Bravo 3's . . . the boat was in pretty good shape. The seller offered to take me out for a sea trial (sure ). . . the boat did OK on the sea trial (4500 RPM both engines, 52 MPH, temp seemed a bit high . . 180 degrees both engines)

We got back to the dock and the seller asked if wanted to see the boat out of the water so I could take a look at the bottom (sure ) . . . The folks at the marina lifted the boat out and I took a look.

Immediately I could see & feel tiny blisters on the hull below the water line. :facepalm: They were mostly on & around the lifting strakes and some more areas towards the stern. . . many, many, small blisters running the length of the boat . . . kind of like a rash.

Fresh water boat . . . bare hull . . . not barrier coat or other bottom paint . . .kept in a slip seasonally.

The seller was not aware of them being there and did not notice them during the spring prep. He offered to take off $1K of the asking price for the blisters. I left it with him that I would give the boat and offer some consideration and follow up.

My initial thoughts were 'show stopper', . . . but I wondered about the 'fixability' of blister rash . . . I would say about 20-25% of the surface area of the hull would need to be fixed.

So, help me out here with the possibilities . . .

1) Cross this boat off the list (I have 8 boats on my 'list') . . .

2) If there were an appropriate price adjustment, would it be worth it? How much would be appropriate for a 28 foot boat with a 20% rash.

3) Other ideas and thoughts ???

As always, TIA.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Hull Blisters Found Pre-Purchase . . . Need some advice

I would pass. hundreds of boats for sale.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Hull Blisters Found Pre-Purchase . . . Need some advice

If the boat were in exceptional condition compared to others just like it, it may be worth it. Basically, all the blisters have to be sanded and filled and the hull faired and repainted. If you can't do the work yourself, my guess is it will cost much more than $1k to get it fixed.

But a concern I have is that it seems this hull blistered at a young age. Most of my friends boats here in South Florida that have had blisters didn't develop them until 15 to 20 years in the water FULL TIME. That makes me wander if the original FG job wasn't quite correct. This boat was in the water less than half time over 13 years. Blisters are caused by water seeping into the FG and being out of the water over half the time should have allowed some drying to occur. Thus my feeling the blisters are premature.

Good luck.

Sea ya...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Hull Blisters Found Pre-Purchase . . . Need some advice

Thanks for the comments so far.

Having slept on it for the night (what am I doing up this early ??? ), I think that I will pass on this boat.

The boat is in very good shape, but I would not consider it exceptional . . . it is similar to other boats that age. Plus, it is missing a couple of the "options" that other boats typically have.

 

[emoney]

Re: Hull Blisters Found Pre-Purchase . . . Need some advice

Good call. A LOT more than $1K to fix. Next!!!!