Buying Boat w/ Small Blisters

[Chris87]

I've found a hunter that's been very well maintained; however, it has small "pimple" sized blisters along the waterline on one side of the boat. I'm guessing these are fiberglass blisters, and not gelcoat/paint because they're hard as a rock. The boat is priced at NADA value. Would you continue with a survey, or run like hell until you find something else?

Also, I don't mind fixing the issue myself, but I would be worried about the resale aspect.

Picture below.

 

[Head Sail]

Never heard of a blister sinking a boat. I wouldn't let that stop me after a surveyor looked over the boat. Will require grinding, filling, sealing and painting them.

 

[LeeandRick]

When we purchased the boat we are currently rebuilding we thought it had a couple of blisters....

We are lucky because the boat has been out of the water sitting in the desert for 17 years. Not a drop of fluid in any of the blisters we ground out. A pressure washing several times, a little filling, $500 of barrier coat, a little paint, and better than new.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Sounds like you got yourself a good deal there.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Justin_NSA]

If you like the boat otherwise, go thru with the survey. Maybe you can negotiate the price some to account for the repairs. The NADA valued price assumes what condition?

 

[Whatfiero1]

Drying out blisters is the key if boat just came out water some will disappear on there own

 

[Ken Cross]

I don't know how old it is, but from what I've seen, there is no such thing as a perfect boat.
Is it equipped the way you want? Is it a reasonable amount of work? (We all have a personal threshold here).
Is it priced right for the market?

Beware of boats priced too low as well. There may be some great deals out there, you just don't want "too good to be true."

Ken

 

[Tom G P-21]

Be aware that the NADA value is based on data from registered dealers so the price tends to be on the high side. See if you can find more recent sales from private sales and sailing texas

 

[capta]

Have you gotten a professional's opinion of what they would charge you to do the job?
If these are wet blisters you may be looking at some serious time out of the water to dry them out, before you can begin to repair them. I would ask a pro for a quote before I made an offer, even if I intended to do the work myself.

 

[jssailem]

@Chris87 More information may be needed. Here is a information from a professional marine surveyor that may help with your exploration.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/BuyingBlisterBoat.htm

 

[Capt Robbie]

I would see about getting a quote to repair. Most yards will give a free quote this time of year. Use it as a negotiating tool as others have commented there is no perfect old boat. Old boats don't sell like cars today here today gone tomorrow. Time is most likely on your side to make offers.

 

[nightowle]

Everyone's suggestion for this post is "spot" on. Pun intended. It's not very hard to rectify this very common issue. Some of your decision comes down to what your time is worth. Other than some fairing material, you'll have to consider the cost of barrier coat as well as the top coat. If you're buying close to a NADA price you should get a survey. You may even need it for insurance purposes anyway once you buy the boat.

 

[Randall Schmidt]

How long might one need to wait for the drying out? Weeks, months? If the job was tackled by a more radical job of peeling off layers before re-glassing would there be a need to wait to dry it out?

 

[Will Gilmore]

If the job was tackled by a more radical job of peeling off layers before re-glassing would there be a need to wait to dry it out?

No.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[jssailem]

@Randall Schmidt see the thread you started.
Answer, Depends on the ccondition of the boat. Both approaches will take a drying period.

 

[Randall Schmidt]

Thanks - please see my thread with a more complete picture of my situation https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...or-1-000s-of-blisters-in-a-1984-sloop.192096/

 

[rbyham]

I had something very similar on my boat at last haulout. But as I touched them with a sander they turned into holes that were only gelcoat deep. So I just faired them and painted. A year later all is well...

 

[LeslieTroyer]

I have a handful to take care of next time I haul.

Les

 

[higgs]

I think it depends on how many blisters there are. I have always read if you can open them up and fill them yourself in a reasonable amount of time, they are not a problem. I had a boat for 12 years that used to get a handful along a keel joint. It was no problem keeping up with them from year to year.