Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

[QuietRider21]

hi guys going to make an offer hopefully this weekend on this 94 Sea Ray 20' over nighter. My concern with the boat is the dirty bottom. Appearantly it was never bottom painted, but looks like it sat in a fresh water lake for periods of time. How much is involved with getting this cleaned up? Could there be damage already done by keeping an un bottom painted boat in the water for long periods of time. I understand a fiberglass hull is painted and gel-coated but i'm afraid to buy this boat and find blistering/cracking underneath all this slime. appreciate some advice before i go make an offer thankyou!

 

[MolsonCanadian]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

Hard to see from the pics, but if its just stained brown/yellowish from sitting in water, some hull cleaner will take that right off. Mine was quite dirty from sitting in the lake without being cleaned for a few seasons. One bottle of acid based hull cleaner (Can't recall the name, on/off, or something similar) took it right off and made it look new.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

A 94 Sea Ray is a great boat, but they could be victims of soft spots and runner problems if not kept out of the weather for the past 18 years.

If the seller is wanting to get rid of the boat bad enough, he should be willing to clean the hull to where you can see how good the gel coat is. If it's not a completely smooth surface, substantial work may be required.

You might could clean a few spots around the hull, however. Then, price it taking in consideration the elbow grease it'll take to clean it. It also may require painting the hull after cleaned to get it right.

You might do best to hire a marine surveyor to inspect the boat's structure--and diagnose the engine/outdrive.

 

[ImWingnut]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

Just went through the same thing. Scum was almost 1/8" think in spots. Get this:



Muriatic Acid. It?s available at Home Depot or Lowes. Be sure to carefully read the instructions (hull cleaning instructions on the bottle) and wear your protective gear including respirator and rubber gloves. Also buy plastic to cover the trailer. I applied it with a 4" foam roller and then hose it off with water or wipe it down with a dry towel.

 

[oops!]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

muriatiac acid by it self will not work.....it wont take off hard water deposits like lime.

when i acid wash a boat.....i and all others in the industry in this area use industrial stregnth toilet bowl and urinal cleaner....
not the stuff from home depot......but a professional janitor shop....

you just use a soft bristle broom and dilute it with water at 50 50....if you have a tough area, use it full stregnth.

if the boat is on a galvanised trailer....you will have to cover the trailer with plastic. as the acid will eat the finish.

rinse well with water and wear full safety gear.......the boat will turn white right before your eyes, almost magically.
then hull inspection is easy.....

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

Be very careful about this boat. i bought a 95 last year and it looked great but was rotten. It seem that all of the Sea rays from this vintage suffer from rot.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

thanks for all the tips and advice!
Jay, you have me worried now. Last thing i want is a HUGE project!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

I would heed FriscoBoaters advice. A complete and Thorough inspection of every crack and crevice of the boat is warranted. Like bamaman1 says, 18 yrs is a long time and if it has not been meticulously cared for you can take it to the bank that it has some "Hidden Issues". Like my momma always said "You can't judge a book by looking at the cover!" Same goes for boats. In this case the cover is telling you that this boat has NOT been meticulously cared for or it would not have a scummy bottom. I'd try to find an extremely reputable Marine Surveyor and get some kind of Guarantee, if possible or...PASS!!!!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Advice needed on searay with dirty bottom hull pic

FYI:
Home Depot carries a full line professional cleaning products by Zep--an Atlanta company. The supply many of the specialized contractors that repair burned houses, etc. Their products are absolutely fantastic.

Zep has an orange cleaner/degreaser. I use it in place of the orange hand cleaners, as it works so much quicker and easier than real hand cleaner. It also will take paint out of clothes--when used in the laundry.

Between Zep and Awesome cleaner found @ Dollar General for $1.00 a spray bottle--I'm covered.