Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

[salmonee]

Looking at possibly buying this 18' striper. However, the hull is scratched up and the bottom paint is coming off. I'm going to store the boat in my garage and may not need to fix the bottom paint? Though, I would like to get rid of it just to match the white hull color. What would you advise? Second question is about the scratches. How difficult is it to repair them? I have no fiberglass knowledge or tools. I can read on the topic, rent the tools and do it myself. Is it cheaper/better to take it to a pro to do the work? How much ballpark would it cost? I like this info to negotiate price w/ seller.

You can see the photos at the following threard:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=298137

Thanks in advance.

 

[KurtG]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

I'd advise you just to use the boat for a season first.

Removing bottom paint isn't an easy task and you might be better off re-painting. Similarly, removing cosmetic scuffs isn't very cost effective either if you have to go to a shop for the gel work. I'm guessing around here it'd be about $500 each (bottom likely more if you want it restored) or $1000+ for what most consider cosmetic.

One item I'd mention isince you said the boat was moored is to make sure the bottom isn't blistered with pimple size gel blisters under the bottom paint. It can be difficult to notice at first glance under rough bottom paint.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

Thanks for the tip.

Should I pass on the boat if I see the pimple size blisters? What will happen to the hull long term due to the blisters?

 

[KurtG]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

Pimple size blisters are generally considered cosmetic, but greatly affect value. In extreme cases, you get delamination of the fiberglass

 

[sschefer]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

Just a little more info plz - Is the bottom paint worn off or is it peeling off? Are they scratches or gouges?

Peeling paint needs to be removed. Worn paint can be repainted to match the hull.
Gouges need to be fixed, scratches can be buffed so they are barely noticable.

If you have osomosis blisters, my reading knowledge and a conversation I had with an appraiser say's the two don't mix. An appraiser doing a survey will down value the boat as needing hull repair. Someone like your or me would appreciate that if we were buying it because we can easily fix it. Only in extreme cases does it cause structural damage.

 

[salmonee]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

I'm not sure if the paint is worn off or peeling. It's the anti fouling paint or what ever you want to call it that moored boats usually have. The hull should be white but that bottom paint is greenish.

 

[superpop]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

The bottom paint is not going to hurt anything and if it is bugging you just sand it down and put a fresh coat of bottom paint on it. If you are going out in the sound then it may be nice to have anyway. I had it on my last boat and I just let it wear off since the boat was on a trailer. Scuffs can either be buffed out or fixed but again, who cares, if this is your first boat then you will only add your own set of scuffs as you learn to drive and dock the boat. Get it and use it, if the cosmetic stuff bugs you then repaint it, otherwise don't worry about it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

Looks like you're getting the same answers in both threads about this.

 

[oregon00]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

i have a question.

how can i repair the bottom of my boat if i have no way of taking it off the trailer? is there an easy way to "jack it up?"

 

[sschefer]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

i have a question.

how can i repair the bottom of my boat if i have no way of taking it off the trailer? is there an easy way to "jack it up?"

Yep, lower the trailer as far down as it will go. Put two boat stands under the stern. Raise the trailer as high as it will go and put two stands about 2/3'rds back from the front half of the boat, (trial and error till you find the sweet spot). Then lower the trailer down and the boat will be off the trailer.

That's the easy way to jack it up. But if you plan on removing the trailer, then you would use a couple of bottle jacks and some dunage to support the front end and then when parts of the trailer hit the jack just move one to a new unobstructed location and then take the other one out. You'll have to do this a couple of times.

 

[oregon00]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

where can i find boat stands? and are they expensive? im on a very low budget. and what does a bottle jack look like?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

where can i find boat stands? and are they expensive? im on a very low budget. and what does a bottle jack look like?

If there's a boat shop or marina around you can probably rent them if not you can do a search and probably find a set. I wouldn't buy them unless I was planning on painting the bottom often.

A bottle jack is just a hydraulic jack that shapped somewhat like a bottle. It's a pretty common slang term. If you ask for it you usually get what you want unless the salesperson is a total newbie. Home Depot carries them.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Possible purchase but boat hull has scratches

i have a question.

how can i repair the bottom of my boat if i have no way of taking it off the trailer? is there an easy way to "jack it up?"

Ayuh,... So start your Own thread, instead of Hy-Jacking somebodyelse's,....

Even if the topics were the Same, which they're Not...
You'll get Better answers to your questions that way...