wicking

[fishy]

I had some helpful replies a fortnight ago when I asked a question about a small area of blistering below the waterline. I would welcome further advice because the situation seems more serious now that i have fully inspected the boat in good light. . The position is as follows. I bought my first boat 14 monthes ago. Being new to boat buying I hired a reputable surveyor and paid approx £350 for this. He said that the hull was in good condition, that moisture levels were O.K. and that there were no signs of blisters.I proceeded and spent 28.5 k on this ten year old boat.An absolute fortune for me.
I took the boat out this month because work was necessary on the seacocks. To my alarm I now see a very significant area of blistering about 18 inches below the waterline. The area of blistering is about a foot wide and approximately 6 foot long.The blisters are often as close togther as an inch although in places they are further apart. On scraping at the blisters it was clear there were small raised welts in the gelcoat that were causing them. The boat builder who was working on the seacocks said there was clear evidence of wicking.
The boat builder and another helpful colleague of his said the only thing to do was to open out the welts dry them out and fill them with epoxy and then lift the boat out next year and check the position.
I feel really angry with the surveyor who gave the boat a clean bill of health and then only a matter of monthes down the line I am in the position where there are serious problems with the hull.
I would welcome advice on whether this is as serious as I think it may be and what course of action I can pursue with the survreyor. The surveyor is a member of the professional association. Would I have any insurance claim etc. Any advice would be very welcome.

 

[chippie]

It seems there are two relatively separate issues here, one technical and one legal.
Your boat builder has given you sound advice, many people have a relatively minor problem with blisters and live with it by doing as he suggests.

Your view of the problem may change if you can get the surveyor to accept liability for not noticing the problem, in that a somewhat more thorough solution may be desirable given that you may not have bought the boat had you known of these blisters.
My suggestion is that you get a quote for all the remedial work , then contact the professional association and ask how they honour claims against their members.
With that information you should be in a position to make a claim against your surveyor. I avoided using the term 'confront' your surveyor as you want to solve your problem not vent your spleen , no matter how angry you feel.
If you know a solicitor , a chat about possible remedies may be worthwhile without his mter running.[Long shot I know!]
The surveyor's liability may be limited if the boat was not out of the water when he inspected it, he would probably have pointed this out to you.

Good luck

 

[fishy]

I really appreciate that helpful response. I will proceed and get a quote for the remedial work. Many thanks

 

[FlyingSpud]

Obvious question, but have you asked the surveyor what he thinks? Write him a letter saying what you have found and attach some photos. Professional insurance is expensive and here is often a largish excess, so if he thinks you have him bang to rights he may just put his hands up without the use of M’learned friends. Anyway, you would have to let him comment before you started any proceedings.

 

[snowleopard]

did you get the boat lifted?

the surveyor will only be to blame if the boat was lifted out for the survey: you didn't mention this. it's also possible that if the boat had been ashore for some time any blisters might have dried out and gone flat, then re-inflated in the water since then. do either of these scenarios apply?

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

The blisters you refer to sound very similar to the ones on a friends boat which were only on one side and on the waterline. On a drying mooring these blisters were on the side exposed to the sun. The blisters spread about 4ft x 3" down they were not wet when opened. It was decided to dry the area after rubbing of the raised bumps and coating with Gel Shield. This repair has been ok so far two years.
On the Legal Point.
You do not mention having seen these bumps when you purchased the boat. For an action to have any chance you would have had to discovered the bumps after purchase and then obtain a second survey showing the original surveyor to be at fault. Fourteen months later I suspect the boat has been in the water for a season and a survey like a car MOT only says the car was fit to be on the road at the time of the MOT. So if you took water readings on the hull now what would that say about readings taken fourteen months ago?
Hope you prove me wrong.
Trevor