Bottom paint-Gulf Coast-Resale Value-TX Gulf Coast

[sandrus]

I'm in the process of buying a used 22' Grady White. Bottom has never been painted. I would prefer to leave the boat in a wet slip in the bay, but I'm concerned about what that might do to resale value. Most folks down here seem to keep boats of that size in dry storage or on a trailer. I'd appreciate any insight.
thanks
Scott Young

[Doghouse2]

Scott, everyone will have a different opinion on this, but mine and most of the guys I know just will NOT buy a boat with bottom paint unless it is a 35+ foot sport fisherman. I'd say this holds true for a lot of people on the upper gulf coast as the vast majority of people trailer or store on boat lifts. It is just too hard and cotly to remove the bottom paint and bring back to original condition for trailerng at a latter date so it limits you buyer market. Additionally lots of people view it as a way to cover mistakes/repairs, such as running the boat up o a jetty/etc. While this may all be some what unfounded, there are just too many late model used boats out there on the market to choose from to buy one with bottom paint(for me).

that being said, if you can't put a lift in at your place, and think you'll keep the boat for a long period of time, enjoy the convienence of having it in the water and ready to go. You can deal with the extra depreciation later and not worry about it. The one pro is that most boats on the uppper east coast are bottom painted and also more expensive (as far as market prices) so potential buyers from that area might see yours as a deal becasuse of the price etc and it could potentially offset shipping costs.

[truepursuit]

Ditto. I will never again buy a boat of less than about 28 feet with bottom paint on it. Its way too much hassle to deal with. And once you've got it...... well .....its kinda like getting a tattoo.

In my area....SW FLA. No yard will do anything other than slap a new coat on the bottom. And over the years it will create a rough surface on your bottom. It slows your boat down. The stuff is an environmental disaster both on land and sea.

But it will keep the barnicles off.

[kerno]

Last year, I bought a boat with bottom paint. I liked the boat and the equipment, but really hesitated over the paint. I finally offered $5,000 less because of the paint and became the new owner. I had it stripped and that is a process I will never do again. I am currently in the market for another boat. I will not buy one with bottom paint, unless it is discounted $15,000 below market, since that wound up being the cost to soda blast and repair the gelcoat. Get a lift or a good trailer.

[don27dog]

Every boat I will ever own will have botom paint on it... Good luck with the pitting if you leave it in the water without.