Osmosis treatment.

[yoda]

Allan

You will get lots of advice about treatment but the most important point will be the stance taken by your insurance company. If they insist on something being done you will be forced to act. If you find a boat you like and the survey (or you) find osmosis I would talk to an insurer before you make an offer. Spotting blisters is easy and when popped the smell is obvious. It took me a year to dry the boat and treat it myself and cost about £1k for a 30ft boat. PM me if you want any more help.

Yoda

 

[Lakesailor]

But as far as I can see he hasn't bought a boat yet.
Spending a year treating a boat you've just bought is the best way not to bond with your boat I can think of.
There are an abundance of boats for sale. Why on earth buy one that needs treatment?

 

[homa]

Allan,
A couple of years ago I found a lovely She 33. The survey found osmosis on the underwater hull, and the small blisters were clearly visible. I obtained half a dozen quotes for the work and managed to get 50% off the asking price of the most expensive quote. I got more off for some other cosmetic work and I now have a lovely classsic Sparkman & Stevens boat with the "pox".
My insurers were informed - they did not want me to do anything about the osmosis. (They did want other things like gas system checked and a few bits and bobs at the fiirst winter lay-up). My long term plan is to monitor the moisture in the hull over a few seasons.
If I ever do the treatment it will probably be just before I sell the boat at some time in the future. So far the moisture levels are not getting any worse - this might be because the boat is laid up ashore every winter - we will have to see.
I have had the boat valued and have been told that if I have the osmosis treatment done, the boat will increase in value and of course the saleability will also increase.
I suspect that osmosis will affect the resale/replacement cost of a boat in the eyes of most insurers.
Good luck with your search for a "new" boat. The looking the best part - enjoy the hunt, and don't worry about osmosis, not all boats have it.
It's a buyers market right now - just get yourself a good surveyor - they are worth every penny when buying secondhand - IMHO ofcourse

 

[Searush]

Relax, Lakey. It's an interesting thread, of course we all have different experiences/ dilemas etc. I'm sure he's a big boy & can select the bits he needs. Enjoy the diversity - it isn't necessarily irrelevant.

 

[Lakesailor]

Not sure I quite understand what you are saying.
You perhaps think the excitement of buying a poxy boat is preferable to buying a good and blemish-free boat?

It's a point of view, I suppose.