Thoughts on these cracks?

[eMKay]

In the hull of this vastly overpriced boat, the only spot with any cracks, it looks like an impact point, the boat has a barrier coat, with flaking anti-fouling over it. Cracks in the barrier coat? In the gelcoat? Or much worse? The boat is a 1994 Catalina 270, it's in rought neglected shape....and they want $35,000 for it! I'm tempted to let it sit for a year and offer half that (pending survey).

The cracks...


The poor neglected boat, love the name though, probably would keep it...

[eMKay]

Oh, and what is going on here? These spots that look like blisters are only about 1/8" big, too small to be blisters? Can a barrier coat get blisters? Or is it just poor adhesion of the barrier coat?

[codmander]

35k? I have a bridge for sale connects brooklyn to manhatten only 500k

[Freesail99]

35K, does sound high for the boat. I would keep looking.

[Gryzio]

Looks like V.D. to me, typical of stray cats.

It may be something you not want to get, considering the price.

I would not want to say 1/2 price is good either, there are a few boats around for less, though they may have a few more years on them.

Off hand, I think the logo (in vinyl) for both sides cost less than $50 in your choice of Font and Color.

I should mention; This something you have to feel good about. If the price comes down to what you are happy with. I bought a boat about 15 years ago that had blisters from a previous fiberglass repair. The price was OK with me and I not see the blisters sitting inside the boat.

[AjariBonten]

I think the OP made it fairly clear that he is not interested in this boat at this price-point; but was more interersted in finding out people's opinions on the visible damage.

I know that for myself; I will also often ask about things I've seen on boats I've looked at, even if I am not interested in that particular vessel any more. It's a great way to learn; and it makes the boat search process an educational one as well.

If he gets good information about this damage, then next time he sees the same he'll know better weather to look further or not.

I'm interested in the answer as well because I've looked casually at several boats with similar issues and wondered to what extent the damage might go beyond the visual.

[ckgreenman]

$35K? I want what they're smokin'

Average retail for that boat (excluding options) is only $29K according to Nada with low retail being $25K

I'd pass if it were me but then I'm no expert either.

[JohnRPollard]

emckay,

It's hard to say anything conclusive from those photos. An experienced surveyor might be able to give you some feedback. I was sort of hoping that someone like CardiacPaul would chime in here and give you his opinion.

Here's mine, for what little it's worth. I have seen "cracks" like those in your first photo on many boats, often in the vicinity of jack-stand or cradle pads. My understanding is that they do not represent a serious structural concern.

As for the "blisters" in the second photo, it would be helpful to know whether Catalina had made the switch to vinylester by 1994. But these look very much like paint blisters to me. This occurs when water gets trapped between the bottom's anti-fouling paint and the gelcoat. If that's what they are, it's a fairly simple remedy to remove the several coats of accumulated bottom paint and start over with fresh paint.

Sometimes, for a nominal cost, a surveyor will swing by a boat for a quick look-see (especially if they're already in the general vicinity for another survey.) If you are serious about the boat and have concerns about the conditions shown in these photos, this might be a good approach for you before getting too far along with it.

[k1vsk]

It is difficult to tell where on the boat these pictures (the close-ups) were taken. If they are of the keel, not the hull, I presume you know that lead doesn't blister and the apparent stress cracks (also on the keel) are a non-issue as it looks more like a bad barrier paint job than anything significant. If these pictures are of the hull itself, there are definitely lots of blisters under the barrier coat and the hull has been deflected causing the stress cracks. Neither is definitely a show-stopper but it sounds like you are looking for reasons to walk away anyway so now you have them.

[ckgreenman]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

As for the "blisters" in the second photo, it would be helpful to know whether Catalina had made the switch to vinylester by 1994. But these look very much like paint blisters to me. This occurs when water gets trapped between the bottom's anti-fouling paint and the gelcoat. If that's what they are, it's a fairly simple remedy to remove the several coats of accumulated bottom paint and start over with fresh paint.

I was almost thinking that too. It's hard to get an idea of scale form the pic but I was almost thinking they look too small to be anything else. Did you, by any chance, try to press on the bubbles with your thumbnail or anything?