Pre-sale repairs

[Night Watch]

Hello Folks,
Wondering how others have handled this conundrum. I am selling my boat soon through a broker. It is time for bottom paint and new zincs.
My conundrum is that I saw very minor blistering during the last insurance survey, less than 1", and not continuous all over boat-just in a few places near the bow. (why are blisters more numerous on one side than the other?)

I don't want to 'Fail" a survey under contract especially after updating nearly every system on the boat over the last few years. The bisters really were nothing unusual to the original surveyor for a boat of this type.
However, I feel I should reveal this to the broker as well, as I am trading in this boat for the new used boat.

Should I sink about $2,000 in yard fees and fix the issue by drying out a few days, then epoxy and repaint. Like I said they are not deep, nor numerous. I just spent 5 days in boat yard for $1,700 on a pre-sale that fell through so I am fairly certain it would be $2k+ with paint and supplies.
Just wondering how folks have handled this in the past. My gut feeling is haul and repair, but that is always my approach.
Thanks!!!

 

[BruceK]

My past IG36 had recurrent blisters. You can do an individual blister fix which may hold for years, we did a big fix but had a recurrence. The buyer of the IG knew the score, the shipwright/broker who sold it for me had done some repairs, but said that in many cases, buyers flee along the dock waving their arms on learning of blisters. So yes, fix it first.
The only real fix is a full hull strip, repair where necessary, and epoxy. Unless it`s generally bad, the local fix is worth doing.
However, as you are "trading in", the broker may have the capacity to repair at trade prices, and is less likely to panic. He might however rethink your trade in price. So, a few things to consider.

 

[Comodave]

Agree that I would fix them first. But you probably should dry it out longer than a couple of days. Or get some type of mechanical drying to speed the process up.

 

[Night Watch]

My past IG36 had recurrent blisters. You can do an individual blister fix which may hold for years, we did a big fix but had a recurrence. The buyer of the IG knew the score, the shipwright/broker who sold it for me had done some repairs, but said that in many cases, buyers flee along the dock waving their arms on learning of blisters. So yes, fix it first.
The only real fix is a full hull strip, repair where necessary, and epoxy. Unless it`s generally bad, the local fix is worth doing.
However, as you are "trading in", the broker may have the capacity to repair at trade prices, and is less likely to panic. He might however rethink your trade in price. So, a few things to consider.

Thanks for the input. That is what I am thinking-depending on the experience of the buyer with blister issues, I can see where a deal may fall through. I had to call a seller and tell him there was a $45K repair quote on his boat this month and I was out-it was the full monty repair but with a foam cored hull all the experts said to walk and I did.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply!

 

[BruceK]

Agree that I would fix them first. But you probably should dry it out longer than a couple of days. Or get some type of mechanical drying to speed the process up.

Judicious application of a heat gun to individual partly ground blisters can help the nasty fluid drain.

 

[mvweebles]

Depends on the boat and how you're representing it. If you're marketing it as a pristine boat in near-perfect condition, then flaws like blisters can disrupt the sale. Many buyers freak out at blisters.

If it's an older boat but still in good condition, I'd consider disclosing the blisters and and letting the buyer make their offer based on disclosed condition. Weebles had an impressive crop of bottom blisters when I bought her 26 years ago. I received a significant survey credit and figured I'd pass along to next buyer - they didn't bother except when I was hauled Capt Obvious would come by and say "gee, you have blisters!"

But alas, the blisters were repaired when I was in the yard in Ensenada for so long. I didn't really ask to have them repaired, just sort of happened in the peanut butter of a large refit. When I hauled in Chiapas earlier this year, still no signs of recurrence. Fingers crossed....

Peter

 

[Snug Harbor]

Speaking as a broker of 20+ years. Short of repairing the bottom, I'd make your broker aware of the issue so that he can prep buyers and surveyor of the existence of some blisters. "As you'd expect of a boat this age, there are some blisters". It takes the edge off when it gets hauled for bottom inspection. It seems like the panic over blistering has eased somewhat. Even so, be prepared to adjust the price. It would be good to have a quote in hand if possible.

 

[Mark Laurnen]

NW, you are a conscientious person. I suspect you have likely slept easily for being so. That said, you will pay one way or the other, either to perform the repair or discount your price to accommodate the repair. And, you will continue to sleep well. My own boat is out of the water for this exact remedy. I have an honest yard doing quality work … I can almost guarantee this will cost more than you anticipate. I can justify the expense as I intend to keep the boat for a good long time to come. It does seem like doing the right thing is often surprisingly expensive … for life in general, and especially for boats! Happy 2025!

 

[Night Watch]

Judicious application of a heat gun to individual partly ground blisters can help the nasty fluid drain.

Noted!

 

[Night Watch]

NW, you are a conscientious person. I suspect you have likely slept easily for being so. That said, you will pay one way or the other, either to perform the repair or discount your price to accommodate the repair. And, you will continue to sleep well. My own boat is out of the water for this exact remedy. I have an honest yard doing quality work … I can almost guarantee this will cost more than you anticipate. I can justify the expense as I intend to keep the boat for a good long time to come. It does seem like doing the right thing is often surprisingly expensive … for life in general, and especially for boats! Happy 2025!

Thank you and best wishes for you and your boat in 2025!

 

[Night Watch]

Speaking as a broker of 20+ years. Short of repairing the bottom, I'd make your broker aware of the issue so that he can prep buyers and surveyor of the existence of some blisters. "As you'd expect of a boat this age, there are some blisters". It takes the edge off when it gets hauled for bottom inspection. It seems like the panic over blistering has eased somewhat. Even so, be prepared to adjust the price. It would be good to have a quote in hand if possible.

Good to know, I will pass that on to the broker.