Hull Blisters on 1992 Ski Nautique

I'm looking at a 1992 Ski Nautique with 687 hrs. that has hull blisters. What is eveyone's opinion on how much of an issue blisters really are and how much they decrease the value. Is it worth talking them down $2k and living with blisters or should I just walk away.

As you can see in the photo, the trailer fenders are junk but they can be replaced. Everything else seems good on the boat (from photos). It's about a 3 hr. drive for me to look at it so I wouldn't drive down unless I'm 90% on buying.

Thanks,
Keith

Many hrs. of work to fix it . $$$

Keith,

With that kind of rust on the fenders I'm guessing a salt water boat. I think I'd run from that one unless it's a steal.

Yeah I agree with the run away comment, we are talking about a boat that was stored in the water for long periods of time to develop blisters like that, and its one year before they took out the wood in the hull. At a minumum the resale value of the boat would be greatly effected by the blisters (as you can tell by us serial boat buyers commenting on how we would run away).

Hold on there wipper snapper. The AME4000 is a modified epoxy resin used in laying up the fiberglass only. CC uses standard polyester based gelcoat just like everyone else (hence the need for the modified resin). However, CC does not use inferior gelcoat and applies it extremely thick (more so than most other manufacturers, believe me I know).

Blisters are not unusual for a boat that is stored in the water.

I would pass on the boat and look for another.

Good man!

all you gauys are looking for trailer queens beacuse your boats spend more time on the trailer than in the water.

Blisters are caused by water getting between the gel-kote and fiberglass and expaning the gel-kote. It's a cosmitc issue only and is not a structual matter. Gel-kote is hydroscopic and when left in water for extended periods of time will blister. The type or condition of the water effects weather they form or not. Clean clear water really doesn't effect it much but if the water contains high levels of microbs then it will blister as the microbs in the water grow while under the gel-kote. it really doesn't matter who made the gel-kote or it's quality it's hydroscopic period end of story, it absorbs water ( extremely low volumes not gallons for you smart ass' ) and being a polyester blend makes it even worse and more hydroscopic due the the polyester content. Mine is blister far worse than that and actually it was worse when I first bought the boat and they have decreased in size since I have owned it. My boat has spent 90% of it's life setting in water, thus the blisters and that's why it best to invest in a lift if you are going to leave it in for the season. If the blister are on the bottom only I wouldn't walk away and in fact they help airate the hull and create a slight amount of lift, simular to a stepped hull on the big cigarett type boats. If they continue up along the side from the chime to water line then it becomes a cosmetic issue and if you have to have a trailer queen or can live with it the way it is and your intended use, trailer 95% of the time or in the water 95% of the time. If it's in the water your not going to see them on the trailer you will.

To correct the problem they have to be ground out and filed with new gel. Gel-kote is for looks and mold release only and adds no structual value what so ever pure cosmetics plain and simple. I have had several conversation regard this same issue with my neighbor, Randy Rinker and several other employee's in the layup shop and all have told me not to get excited about it and in fact have said if I do grind them out don't bother re-gelling just paint it with emron and be done with it. And for those that don't know the people I refered too are OEM people and build boats for a living.

Sorry- guys didn't mean to start a pissing match

This is exactly why I asked. I have heard different things about blisters in the past. My '79 Mustang had them and a few broke away, exposing the fiberglass. But that hull was over 25 years old.

For the price, I like the boat a lot. The blisters surprised me however. I got them to knock off $2,000 from asking price because of the fenders and blisters.

Don't need to make a decision today. I think I'll keep looking but won't take it off my list.

Thanks everyone!

-Keith

I just didn't want to be the newbie know it all. I guess I know I am right as much as David F & 79nautique know they are right. Bottom line is all boats do not get blisters from being left in the water and not all gel coats are the same. I have cleaned more hulls that I would ever to care to admit to, and you can look at 20 year old qualitiy (Formula, Fountain, CC) boat that has been left in the water for the season and it will be rare to see a blister- Look at cheaper boats- bayliner- searay dinker- they will look like cheese melting on a frying pan after a few seasons. That is my observation.

FYI, Correct Craft recommends if you must store your boat in the water to apply a bottom paint, or at a minimum to remove the boat every 2-3 weeks and allow to throughly dry to avoid blisters.

The blisters are not caused by neglect. They are caused by leaving the boat in the water all season. The only way its neglect is if you know this and leave it in the water anyway.   

My 82 gets blisters that feel like there on a set pattern evenly spaced,first time I felt them I thought it was from factory.They go almost away sitting in the boat barn all week,then reappear saturday afternoon boat gets put into water friday evening every week stays in till sunday evening or monday they have never gotten any worse and no one sees them

Munday