First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

[dbgator]

Looking to purchase my first boat and need some advice. I am currently looking at this 2003 Palm Beach 22' w/ 2003 Yamaha 225 4-Stroke . It seems to fit all the specs I am looking for, but I have some concerns of the wear & tear on the hull.

It appears to have a good amount of scratches on the bottom front of the V-Hull, presumably from the previous owners running it up on beach/sand bar. From the best I can tell, there should be no structural concerns, they seem to pretty smoothed out scratches, not really blunt force damage.

In addition there is some more serious damage up by where the front ring is for the trailer hook. There are some deep gouges, they go down to the fiberglass, it appears it may have been roughed up in the loading process at some point.

I believe the final asking price will be somewhere in the 14k - 15k range, which is right around my budget.

Does this look repairable for a reasonable price? Should this damage be a deal breaker? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

See attached pictures. Also attached link to video of boat, but damage is hard to see in the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7HY137omYE

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

not a bad price, and that's a big motor for the boat. It's a desirable configuration so it may be hard to come across another--you don't say where you are.
the hull scratches don't look like beaching marks. I wonder if he drifted into some rip rap. I wouldn't worry too much about them. But i don't worry about what my bottom looks like; others around here do.
the chain saw massacre is right bad--not that it's bad in itself but the story behind it. I might be leary of the bow eye's strength if you pull the boat up by the eye (power winch) but it can be repaired, cosmetically.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

I would be curious as to what happened to her.
looks like more than one boo boo.

 

[dbgator]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

Apparently the primary owner/operator of this boat recently passed away, and the boat is being sold by his relatives. They say that they don't know exactly the origin of the scrapes. I am a boating novice, so I really don't have a good guess as to what caused it.

I cosmetics of the bottom of the boat don't concern me too much, and from best I can tell, it doesn't seem that it should effect its sea-worthiness.

The "eye" for the trailer hook is a bit concerning, for a novice like myself, seeing exposed fiberglass kinda freaks me out. But from research I have done on boat repair, it seems like much worse damage can be reasonably repaired. But, I really wouldn't know for certain.

For and FYI, I'm in central FL, looking to use this for inshore and a some not too far offshore fishing. All saltwater.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

Looks to me fishing in shallow water with rocks, But with your fourth picture doesn't look like damage is bad, Just marinetex it and you should be good to go

 

[reelfishin]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

The bottom damage looks fairly minor and superficial. The bow eye area damage looks like its down the glass fibers. I'd have guessed either careless loading, dock damage or maybe running with the anchor hanging over the bow. It don't look like its structural, so most likely some white marine tex and it's all good.
I would consider using the damage as a bargaining chip, you could get a pro estimate on the repairs and use that to help bargain the price a bit.
Depending on where you're at, the boat market in general has been pretty slow, so you may have some bargaining power.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

I agree with the anchor theory. It looks like it hit hard once or twice and then scraped the starboard as it was hauled in.

Those all look like gel-coat issues, not structural.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

It wouldn't stop me from buying.

That being said, I would fix the bow eye damage straight away or take it to someone to fix if I couldn't.

Protect your investment.

Good luck!

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

go for it and repair yourself

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

That looks like one heck of a lot of boat for the money.

 

[VeroWing]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

I'm not sure about the present "bluebook " value of this hull/engine combo, but from what I can see, damage appears to be cosmetic, and not structual. I would guess that $1,000 would be a safe repair price assumption, if you were to have it professionally repaired.
Have them reduce price by this amount, and then you should be covered for this particular item. I would still recommend a survey by a qualified surveyer. A little money spent now, could possibly save thousands down the road.
JMO, Mike.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First Time Boat Buyer- Need advice on minor hull damage **Pics Attached**

I agree with all those above, none of it's structural. However, nothing will be "reasonable" if you take it to a pro and tell him to make it look brand new. The price will shock you. even in Central Florida where labor is cheap.
As mentioned above, use an epoxy product called Marine Tex for the area around the bow eye. It's about $20 of material, and 1 hour max of your time. Sure, you'll be able to see the repair, but you won't feel bad if you bang the anchor against it one day, or hit the bow stanchion on the trailer during loading!

Where at in Central Florida? My parent live in Auburndale and belong to the Winter Haven Nautical Club.