Rinker was a big disappointment

[WV 320 Dancer]

So a friend of mine decided to consider buying a 2005 Rinker 300. It has been at our boat club for many years. The current owner was transferred out west and the boat had been left in its slip for about 5 years. It was powered by twin 4.3’s with BII’s. The boat was started and pulled out of the river and taken over to the shop where I store my boat. It was cleaned up and went through. It needed about 5K worth of work to get it going. That was until the bottom was pressure washed and we found over 100 blisters on the bottom of the haul. Needless to say the deal is now off. It is not my intention to bash another brand but holy crap what a disappointment.

 

[JimT]

So a friend of mine decided to consider buying a 2005 Rinker 300. It has been at our boat club for many years. The current owner was transferred out west and the boat had been left in its slip for about 5 years. It was powered by twin 4.3’s with BII’s. The boat was started and pulled out of the river and taken over to the shop where I store my boat. It was cleaned up and went through. It needed about 5K worth of work to get it going. That was until the bottom was pressure washed and we found over 100 blisters on the bottom of the haul. Needless to say the deal is now off. It is not my intention to bash another brand but holy crap what a disappointment.

Was it bottom painted?

 

[dtfeld]

Not sure if Rinker used vinyl ester gelcoat in 2005, but blisters can happen even with the newer gelcoats. If the boat checks out otherwise, it might be a OK deal still. Blisters really are a cosmetic issue.

If done properly, those blisters can be repaired, and a new barrier coat/bottom paint applied. And at that point, you have a very good idea of the bottoms condition, which when buying a used boat might be worth something.

Repairing them is expensive and time consuming,but the owner is going to have to address it if he want s to sell the boat. His pain might be your gain.

 

[Craig]

I had a 270 for many years that I bought new in 2000. Not as well made as my SR but for what I paid it was a good boat. Solid hull structure, surveyed good when I sold it. Never any blisters.I did take care of it though. I think that makes a difference.

 

[fwebster]

A few blisters is cosmetic issue.......over 100 is a major repair problem because by the time you grind open all the blisters and let the hull dry out, there isn't enough flat surface to fair the hull to. The repair then becomes very labor intensive if you are able to restore the running surfaces.

Besides, with this many blisters, I'd bet you that the hull is holding water in spots that blisters have yet to form. I think I'd take a pass on this one...........

 

[northern]

I had my hull stripped, sanded and two coats of epoxy coating added cost 7,000US

 

[GypsmJim]

Rinkers are quality boats. In this case I would not fault the boat. If a boat is left in the water for 5 years and it turns out there is a problem, 100% of the issue falls on the irresponsibility of the owner.

Regardless, that boat is a non-starter unless it was free. Even then, it could possibly turn out to be the most expensive free boat ever.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I loved my 270 and 350. For the money I thought it was a great value. I have nothing good to say about their Ocean X composite drives though. That’s the principle reason we sold and went to the SR with direct drives. Never had gel coat blister issues.

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

Was it bottom painted?

Yes but no barrier coat prior to bottom paint

 

[Gofirstclass]

Run, Forrest, Run.