How much does osmosis affect value?

Newbie99

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Have been researching for a first yacht purchase and realise that osmosis isn't likely to be a problem from an ownership point of view, but is likely to be a resale problem.

My partner and I are looking at a very nice example of a Westerly Berwick from 1982. Generally very tidy and had significant issues from a survey in 2019 dealt with (out of date rigging). Price looks OK based on other Berwick's for sale and sold recently.

However, the 2019 survey said ...

Sample spots of underwater hull coatings were scraped back to reveal a green epoxy type primer coating – however the coating is of inadequate film thickness to provide an effective and barrier against moisture absorption.
1.2 There are large fluid filled blisters with softened gel coat across the underwater hull. The blistering and moisture entrapment is between the gel coat and the laminate. An established and fully developed blistering (osmotic) condition exists.
Underwater Hull Moisture Readings.
Moisture readings were taken using a Sovereign Moisture meter. Topside reference readings were recorded as 5 /25.
Average Underwater Moisture Readings. 21- 25 /25.
The moisture readings are significantly elevated and consistent with an established blistering condition.

Current owner had the anti fouling done in 2019.

I'd be very grateful for opinions on how much of a problem this is?

I've read that this level of osmosis might half the value of the boat? Then again, the current owner has the boat insured, presumably for market value.

Many thanks indeed.
 

Fr J Hackett

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Whoever you sell it to in the future will ask the same questions as you, the boat is not going to sink and is going to require effectively a lifetime of popping, grinding, flushing, filling and painting the blisters every winter so you should take that into account when buying, do you want to do that. You can get one for £10K or £20K if yours is being offered at £10K ie the bottom of the market then something like a £2K or more reduction is in order if it's at the top end I would go and look for one that isn't osmosis affected as you will never get anything like your money back.
Don't even think about professional treatment it's DIY.
 

Tranona

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The value of the boat is based on a whole host of things of which the blisters on the hull is just one. When you are buying at this level boats are what they are and the market value does not justify substantial expenditure. The asking price will reflect the defects on the boat as they are not hidden so unlikely you will get any reduction just because it has blisters. As already suggested the fix - which is not actually a fix, but a way of hiding it for a few years is not worth it so you have to decide whether the rest of the boat is worth having given that you will have the ongoing job of dealing with the blisters as and when they become an irritant.

Don't think the presence of osmotic blisters will affect insurance. Suggest you ask the surveyor in his recommendations to propose monitoring and dealing with the blisters as they appear.
 

Newbie99

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Whoever you sell it to in the future will ask the same questions as you, the boat is not going to sink and is going to require effectively a lifetime of popping, grinding, flushing, filling and painting the blisters every winter so you should take that into account when buying, do you want to do that. You can get one for £10K or £20K if yours is being offered at £10K ie the bottom of the market then something like a £2K or more reduction is in order if it's at the top end I would go and look for one that isn't osmosis affected as you will never get anything like your money back.
Don't even think about professional treatment it's DIY.
Thanks, that's a very helpful and much appreciated answer!
 

Graham376

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We had a Berwick for a few years, nice boats. Osmosis not a surprise and as said above treatment will keep you busy for years. The main point to check on Berwicks is the keel stubs, hopefully they will have been sorted/reinforced by now but, if not, quite expensive to have done professionally.
 
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