Columbia 8.3 - buying without survey?

tmalcolm · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009

Hi all.

I'm considering buying a Columbia 8.3 and am looking for some advice ....

Believe it or not, my problem with this purchase is that I cannot find a surveyor willing to look at the boat! The local surveyor refused, stating a conflict of interest as he's friends of the broker. No-one else in the area has returned my phone calls.

The boat was surveyed in 2005 by the current owner. No osmosis. Some delamination on the starboard side deck, just forward of the mast, on the sidedeck. I don't know how close the delamination is in relation to the chainplate, but can easily find out. I saw the boat a few days ago and thought the deck around the forward hatch was a bit soft as well. The bilge has about 2-3" of clean standing water, but the bilge pump has been off for almost 12 months. The current owner lived aboard for 3 years and didn't sail. The previous owner sailed regularly.

So, should I leave it alone, or go back and look again? And what should I look for as potential trouble spots with the Columbia 8.3?

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Tim.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009

I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether the boat is worth going ahead with a survey on, as a first step.

tmalcolm · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether the boat is worth going ahead with a survey on, as a first step.

OK. Read the "Inspection Trip Tips." I probably checked 50% of the list - couldn't do some of it as the boat is currently in the water. I talked to the PO and it turns out he did sail, just very infrequently. I also talked to a surveyor and am trying to arrange to get the boat hauled and the survey done.

My only real concern is that the water in the bilge is a sign of trouble. I just don't know. Most of my boating experience has been with trailered power boats, sailing dinghies, and the occasional day out on a big boat. Potential trouble spots on a keel boat are all new to me.

--Tim.

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009

A few inches of bilge water need not be a concern, as long as the water level is static. Good to figure out where the water comes from tho.

I think a wet deck is red flag to be looked at very carefully. Professionally repairing a wet deck (professionaly = a repair that is not immediately obvious when you get on the boat...) can easily cost several times the market value of a boat like this.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009

the wet and possibly delaminating deck is a big red flag imho.

tmalcolm · #6 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009

Thanks for the advice guys.

I made an offer, contingent on a survey. Now if the broker could just confirm the date for the hauling ....

--Tim.

NolaSafari · #7 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009

A little bilge water is normal, almost all boats make some water. It is always my goal to get my bilge dry. My boat will stay dry for a long period then I will sail her and she may make some water because things have shifted. I then track down the leak and get her dry again. Most leaks are deck leaks.

cnc33voodoo · #8 (**permalink**) 06-17-2009

Get a repair shop to give you a quote to fix the decks as they will tell you exactly how much its going to hurt.
What my surveyor said was a $2k-3k "on the high side" job, just cost me $7500 with tax after shopping around for almost a year.It took another 3 months of waiting for a time slot to get my boat in.
Some shops wanted in excess of 20k and said they would need the boat for a couple months.I would have sold the boat before that happened.
Ill be getting my boat back on friday after more than two weeks in the shop for a recoring and new anti-skid.
Ive sailed twice this season.

I hope for your sake you take my advise.

Sailormann · #9 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009

If the deck has delaminated and there is water in there, and if it has frozen and thawed, the delamination has spread. Even if it has not frozen and thawed, merely walking on it genereates a pumping action and the wetness spreads.

Where the deck feels soft it is probably a big black lump of mush inside.

Do you want to invest $10,000.00 in repairs ? If so - proceed. If not - keep looking.

Good Luck