Just Bought My First Boat - About to Give it to a Scrapyard (2025)

David W said:

What a shame.
When I had my Crown 34, the surveyor said there were blisters and then my insurance company said I had to get them fixed before they would insure it.
I wrote the insurance company a stern letter telling them there is zero evidence that blisters would ever cause a structural integrity problem that would result in an insurance claim. Told them that I would be happy to fix them if they could provide documented proof of unrepaired blisters causing an insurance claim.
Never heard from them and they insured the boat.

Re the costs you are quoting: someone is absolutely ripping you off.

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This is reassuring, I may be able to make a case that I am in the process of fixing the issue at the very least

Richard19068 said:

Wow. What a tragic outcome. So frustrating. Assuming this is the boat in the attached listing at Westport Yacht Sales in Sidney the pictures make it look like a good boat. It's unbelievable that the people who brokered the deal provided such little help and guidance. It certainly looks like you have had the runaround.

I get that you may be "done" at this point but I would think that short of scrapping it you might be able to find somebody who would be willing to buy it from you at a firesale price. Hate to see it go to landfill and maybe you could recover some of your costs more easily than parting it out.

Good luck

30' Catalina - Thunderbird Marine

thunderbirdyachtsales.com

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It is the same boat. I really like the boat and I really want to keep it, I'm just up against the wall bleeding money with no path to get it back on the water. Everyone here on the forum has been really helpful, and I do really feel taken advantage of at this point (not by the forum, but the entities I am interacting with to get this repair done). The company I am working with is the company everyone recommended for this work in Sidney. The broker, surveyor, pilot during the sea trial, even the local boat mechanic recommended them. Is this town all working together?

I called them again today and asked if they can just seal the blisters that are already open, ignore the rest (maybe throw some paint on it too) and they said it wasn't an issue with the timing or price, they just said they run a business and their reputation would be tarnished if they just did a repair like that. What does that even mean?

BigEasy said:

I think you are overwhelmed with people trying to take advantage of your situation. Move the boat (in present condition) to an affordable "do it yourself" boat yard in close proximity to your home. Grind out the large blisters with a Dremmel tool, wash out the blisters thoroughly with detergent & allow them to dry. Clean the blistered site with acetone and coat the depression with Interluxe 2000 epoxy. Fill the depression with 3M premium marine filler & fair a couple times. Rough sand (lightly) with 80 grit paper to enhance adhesion of the barrier coat. Wash the hull and barrier coat with three rolled coats of 2000 epoxy. Finally, roll on 2 coats of antifouling paint.

Materials Required:
3 gallons interluxe 2000 ~ $500
1-2 quarts filler ~ 200
2 gallons bottom paint ~ 400
rollers, brushes, acetone
sand paper, dust masks,
paint mask, tape, etc. ~ 400
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Materials Total $1500

So, If it takes 3 months for you to complete the job, you have a usable boat for approximately $5000 in repair costs. On future haulouts treat additional blisters on as needed basis in same manner. Based on your photos, it would be a travesty to scrap that boat. You might have to get your hands dirty; however, this job is not a highly technical job that requires high levels of skill. Hope it all works out well.

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That doesn't sound too bad, and if the boat was closer I wouldn't mind doing the work myself. Think this boat could make it to Vancouver with exposed fiberglass and an inexperienced pilot who has never sailed solo yet? (I've always been with family before I bought this boat. I was hoping to learn with them and official lessons, but if I'm crossing the Salish Sea I'd have to do it solo).