First Yacht Survey HELP!

[JonoSlatter]

Hi,
I'm in the process of buying my first yacht - a Beneteau First 26. 1986
I've been looking all summer - and this boat felt perfect - really well looked after in and out. But...

Being new to this I'm a bit alarmed at the surveyor telling me that the moisture readings below the waterline are high - 20+ using a Sovereign Mositure meter. (5 above the waterline) His advice was that no action should be taken - but an osmostic condition could occur at a later stage. There's no signs of anything at the moment - "the gel below the waterline was found to be visually in good condition."

I understand that the boat has been in the water for the last winter - maybe more, so could this be the reason? She's lying in a drying out marina so sits in the mud for quite a bit of each day. I am intending to sail the boat until about November and then winter her ashore in Poole,

Wondering what you guys think (or girls) ? Should I be nogotiating for a reduction due to this.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Jono

 

[ccscott49]

It's a high reqading, but if theres no sign of osmosis, you are going to have difficullty, getting a reduction in price. A good dry out ashore should reduce the moisture readings significantly. But as for lower price, I think not.

 

[david_e]

1985 was the horror year for Beneteau, when they had alot of Osmosis problems. many people know this and steer away from boats of that era. As for the price, how much is the boat and what spec is it? Unless it was an out and out bargain, I would be making an offer on the basis that if all is OK below the line then you wouldn't expect a reading of 20 when it is 5 above. So it is most likely that some work will have to be done in future and it generally aint cheap. Don't get sentimental at this moment in time, especially if the boat has been on the market for a while. They are not houses or cars and while there is always lots of interest in most boats, actual buyers are a rare thing. If you are not sure, move on, there will be plenty more coming on the market. Let us know the price and spec.

 

[PatrickJ]

When I bought my Jeanneau the survey showed similar readings, although there were no visible signs except the gel coat was poor. I managed to get £2500 of the asking price. Remember it may cost you later one way or another.

Patrick

 

[JonoSlatter]

Thanks for your response.

She's a Beneteau First 26, 1986, surveyor was impressed with the overall condition of the boat. She's a fin, sails and rigging good. Navs - usual gear, has a separate head, and separate aft double(1.5) berth. Engine is a 9hp volvo prop. A well looked after boat - but with a high mositure content. I'm paying 15K.

What do you think?

Jono

 

[Guest]

All boats will show signs of moisture intake ---- sad fact.

Most boats will eventually fall foul of Osmosis at some later stage in life.

Most boats are over-priced to sell.

Most boats sell for significantly less than asking price.

Everyone tries it on, unless they have money to waste - so harden up the face, take that grin off and hard bargain to a price that you can accept ... noting that later you may look at a bill of over 4-5K to correct any later osmosis that may appear.

You could buy this boat and have it for years before doing any hull work on it, or it could be that next year it blisters ---- no-one can actually say with certainty

Most of my own boats have had high moisture and they are still sailing out there under new owners etc. without trouble - I didn't hide the facts from them etc. etc. My present boat has moisture that is higher than you quote, but still its fair and clean ... but then again I don't like the Soveriegn and use another more responsive meter.... but that is another story and not for here !!

 

[Trevethan]

She is a fin keeler you say?.. How does she dry out in the marina?.. does she have beaching legs?

 

[david_e]

http://www.beneteauusa.com/sailboats/prior/first/f26sp.htm - gives the sail plan & spec

To add to Nigels good post. A quick web scan reveals that there are a few for sale, one in the UK at £18500 (could be yours reduced) one in Greece at £8.5k and one in France at £13k.

Going of what you have said, if you pay £13k, get three seasons use and get £10k back it will be cheapish sailing. I was offered an '84 Oyster 26 for £16k that had had all the osmosis work done and was a sound proven boat, in comparison the benny looks a tad dear. But, it's there on your doorstep and you have paid for the survey, I would also imagine it will be a nice boat to sail and own. You can't get alot for £15k but then you could get quite a bit for £20k, am zoning in a '96 boat of 9metres that is similar in some respects to the benny buit very sound, at £25k and will end up going for £20-£21k.

 

[JonoSlatter]

Thanks David. BTW where did you see those other Beneteax?

So you think 15K is too much?

Thanks for your help.

Jono

 

[david_e]

Re: other boats

two were on this site, one was on www.eyb-boats. You could go into some of the french sites bateaux a voile a vendre or similar thru google.

Don't neccessarily think it is too much but it looks topside. if that is the asking price, then make an offer based upon the above. "I like the boat but am concerned about the high moisture readings and want to make an allowance for it. I will buy the boat for £13k." Then shut up, the next to speak will be the loser. Suggest you use the RYA docs if u r a member. If he ums and aahs, ask him if he has had a better offer, and say you are of to look at a new Sportina 760 for £15k if he doesn't take your bid. or show him all these posts and bore him into submission!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[JonoSlatter]

Re: other boats

I have now discovered that the vendor has not taken the boat out once in 4 1/2 years - only for a couple of days each year to antifoul. So that would perhaps explain the high reading.

It doesn't explain if the mositure might reduce if she were ashore for a few months...

Thaks for your help, I'm going to try and get some kind of reduction.

Jono

 

[JonoSlatter]

I have now discovered that the vendor has not taken the boat out once in 4 1/2 years - only for a couple of days each year to antifoul. So that would perhaps explain the high reading.

It doesn't guarantee that the mositure might reduce if she were ashore for a few months...

Thaks for your help.
Jono

 

[JonoSlatter]

Thanks for your help.

I have now discovered that the vendor has not taken the boat out once in 4 1/2 years - only for a couple of days each year to antifoul. So that would perhaps explain the high reading.

It doesn't necessarily mean the mositure might reduce if she were ashore for a few months...

Thaks for your help, I'm going to try and get some kind of reduction.

I'm testing her on Monday - so hopefully by the end of next week I might finally be able to say I'm a boat owner!

Jono

 

[JeremyF]

First Boat considerations

The words 'First Boat' are very significant! Dont buy anything that isnt easy to sell in a couple of years. If high moisture reading is concerning you, it will concern the buyer you try to sell to in a couple of years

<font color=blue>Jeremy Flynn
/forums/images/icons/crazy.gifDawn Chorus</font color=blue>/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

 

[petery]

I have always wondered how often surveyors calibrate their moisture meters. I know the police calibrate their radar guns every day - and it only costs you £40 for a speeding ticket and not £3k for osmosis treatment. Wouldn't it be nice to have a little bit of paper with a survey confirming that an independent test house had calibrated the meter within the last week . . . or maybe all surveyors do it already.

 

[david_e]

Ask Roger

Is rogerroger about? I thought he might have some interesting input on this post being as he has an old bennytoe first 27, 1980, that he gave £12,750 for.

 

[JeremyF]

Re: Ask Roger

He should be back from a delivery trip to the West Country. Ive emailed him the posting URL, so he'll probably comment

<font color=blue>Jeremy Flynn
/forums/images/icons/crazy.gifDawn Chorus</font color=blue>/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Guest]

Hi
Some interesting reading on osmosis on this site

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/articleslist.htm

Cheers

The Lash

 

[david_e]

a couple of other points

Ask for service receipts or parts receipts for the engine. If it is a saildrive unit then consider that the rubber sealing ring needs replacing, in theory, every 7 years, costs alot.

If it is the lift keel version let me know.

 

[JonoSlatter]

Re: a couple of other points

Thanks David,

To be fair - his attention to detail is excellent, all receipts for everything are on show in a file on the boat. It's not a saildrive.

No it's a fin.

Still waiting having offered a bit less - so I am waiting by the phone!

Thanks for your help.

regards,

Jono