salt boat hull question

[raymond_anthony]

i am in the process of buying a 2002 bayliner capri for 6200. the only question i have is the bottom of the hull has a rough surface due to the salt. i was assured it wasnt kept in the saltwater. just day trips. i am still a little concerned. i was wondering what peoples thoughts were. thanks

 

[JoLin]

Re: salt boat hull question

Never heard of a boat with a rough bottom due to salt. Bottom paint, marine growth, barnacles- sure. If allowed to dry they're... rough. If there's salt on the hull, rinse it off.

If it isn't any of the above, there's a problem with the gelcoat, I guess, but it isn't due to salt.

 

[raymond_anthony]

Re: salt boat hull question

I'm assuming it's just salt and needs to be buffed. I'm not a boat expert if you can tell. I just know a lot of people prefer a fresh water boat over a salt water because of the damage that can occur.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: salt boat hull question

Welcome aboard.

Make sure it is not blistering in the gel coat or that means major problems.

 

[DC20]

Re: salt boat hull question

Do you have a pic of it? The only thing that salt water does from a "day trip" if left to dry, is a film with visible salt crystals. It comes right off with fresh water.

 

[raymond_anthony]

Re: salt boat hull question

I will post a pic. Thats what it felt like...a layer of salt but i will double check.

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: salt boat hull question

Unless it's just a film of salt crystals as mentioned above, move on to the next boat. It sounds like that hull has issues of some kind and with boats any issues is usually not cheap to resolve.

Really though, I might move on based on that anyway, because if a guy isn't willing to rinse a boat down when a potential buyer is coming to look at it, how did he treat it for the years he owned it and wasn't trying to sell it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: salt boat hull question

Unless it's just a film of salt crystals as mentioned above, move on to the next boat. It sounds like that hull has issues of some kind and with boats any issues is usually not cheap to resolve.

Really though, I might move on based on that anyway, because if a guy isn't willing to rinse a boat down when a potential buyer is coming to look at it, how did he treat it for the years he owned it and wasn't trying to sell it?

well said. also, this layer of "salt crystals" is not like a layer of table salt; you can't even feel it with your fingers, any more than pond scum from dried lake water. I have, however, seen crystals form from eletrolysis--the sign of a much bigger problem, too.

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: salt boat hull question

The bulk of salt damage is to the engine. My boat has been in and out of salt for three years and never developed "crystals". A boat has enough hassles on a good day. Buying a boat with a preinstalled hassle doesn't seem wise.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: salt boat hull question

"preinstalled hassles" now that's funny right there, i don't care who you are.

 

[DC20]

Re: salt boat hull question

The bulk of salt damage is to the engine. My boat has been in and out of salt for three years and never developed "crystals". A boat has enough hassles on a good day. Buying a boat with a preinstalled hassle doesn't seem wise.

I think we have a different environment down here in Florida ( I see you are in Portland). Here as soon as you get your boat out of the water it dries from the hot sun, and yes you can see the salt crystals, they are that big. They do however rinse off real easy.