Blisters on survey - Morgan 38

datswite · #1 03-02-2013

I'm considering the purchase of a 1981 Morgan 38. The survey was today. Overall, the boat is in above average condition with the following exceptions - and some blisters.

1. Bent blade on engine prop
2. Needs cutlass bearing
3. Needs prop shaft
4. Leaky seals on Perkins 4-108 (1440 hours)
4. BLISTERS

Here is my question. Should I walk away for blisters? Or, should I negotiate? The largest visible blister was no larger than a quarter and there were many (probably 50-75 - only on the starboard side).

Faster · #2 03-03-2013

I'd guess the Morgan is a solid glass layup in the hull rather than cored, the blisters may be mostly cosmetic. The other items are going to add up to a a fair bit of coin, and the leaky Perkins is a pretty standard problem, as I recall. Unless you're planning on doing all that work yourself the hours are going to add up quickly, plus parts.

If you're willing to negotiate on all else, then I guess overall it depends on the deal. Get a quote and a gel coat peel/barrier job and see what happens.

capttb · #3 03-03-2013

Was it docked with the starboard facing south for 25 years and are the blisters all at the waterline?

Gladrags1 · #4 03-03-2013

I'm thinking that the answer to whether you walk depends upon the costs for the repair and whether you can renegotiate the final selling price based upon the results of the survey. Some thoughts:

Cutless bearings all need to be replaced sometime. While it isn't an enjoyable job, it might be one that you can manage yourself depending upon your skill with mechanical stuff.

Bent blade on the prop; how bent? Sometimes you can repair it. Take it to the prop shop for an evaluation.

Does the rudder have to be removed to replace the shaft? If so, the marina would have to pick up the boat to drop the rudder and you start running into more $$$. If not, replacing the shaft isn't too onerous.

The blisters mean a bottom job with peel and re-epoxy. That can be expensive. The person who posted above asked a good question; are the blisters at or close to the waterline? If so, it might have occurred because the boat might have floated below her lines and the PO raised the waterline. The side of the hull now wetted may not have been protected by an osmotic barrier. Maybe the "bottom job" can be confined to the strip of hull near the current stripe? Talk with an expert and get some prices / options.

How bad are the leaks in the engine? I assume you are referring to the transmission seal? Cost / necessity of repair?

This is a "buyers market" and the seller knows that these problems will impact any possible sales. I would get prices for repairs and attempt to renegotiate based on what they are. The surveyor had to come up with a value for the boat. How close is the value and the selling price? If the boat is in as good of a shape as you report, these items shouldn't be a deal breaker necessarily.

Morgan made a good, solid boat. The "bones" should be good. Good luck with your decision.

Tod

SimonV · #5 03-03-2013

Don't rite a boat off because you can see blisters, many boats have been sold with a clean bum only to reveal a myriad of blisters on the next haul out. Better to know Now and be prepared than shocked later.

kd3pc · #6 03-03-2013

too many really nice boats at a good price to spend time with this one, unless the price reflects the repairs needed. The blisters will definitely be a show stopper when you go to sell this boat, fixed or not fixed - buyers will walk unless the whole hull has been peeled and repaired correctly.

YMMV

deniseO30 · #7 03-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by datswite

I'm considering the purchase of a 1981 Morgan 38. The survey was today. Overall, the boat is in above average condition with the following exceptions - and some blisters.

1. Bent blade on engine prop
2. Needs cutlass bearing
3. Needs prop shaft
4. Leaky seals on Perkins 4-108 (1440 hours)
4. BLISTERS

Here is my question. Should I walk away for blisters? Or, should I negotiate? The largest visible blister was no larger than a quarter and there were many (probably 50-75 - only on the starboard side).

..THAT'S ALL? No bulkhead rot?

Cute how you capitalized the word blisters

The oil leaks, bent shaft and all would concern me more.

You don't say where the blisters are.. waterline? (common) or big bubbles pulling the glass and gelcoat off the hull.

If your not going to strip and barrier coat an older boat then buy a newer one. It's not must do, but it is a very worthwhile "upgrade"

Next questions would be; are you going to do the work yourself? If not look for a boat without those problems and about $15-30,000 Higher priced

Good luck!

Squidd · #8 03-03-2013

Blisters...!!!

It's not the end of the world... (or the end of the boat)

But it is a $10k job if you don't DIY...

4arch · #9 03-03-2013

It would be worth trying to connect with other Morgan 38 owners to see if boats of the same make, model, and vintage have similar issues. Presumably the value would be less negatively impacted if yours was a blister boat among blister boats than if it's truly an outlier.

chef2sail · #10 03-03-2013

Prop shaft, cutlass bearing would be less than $800. Parts are only about $300, Propeller repair,,,depends. If you ahve the prop shaft done either spring for a PSY driples ( anouther $300), and if not have the stuffing box looked at and replace the rubber stern tube. All part of the labor of pulling a shaft. We had the above done with PSY installed and new coupler for about $1000 last summer.

Blisters are another issue.