Hull discoloration

[jah0801]

I am looking to buy a 2003 Catalina 42. One boat I have looked at has a light tan coloration in a few areas along the port side. Most are rectangular in shape and are clearly visible from 20 feet away. The seller (2nd owner) tells me the boat came from the factory that way and that discoloration aside, the hull is as good as any other. Does anyone have any experience / knowledge on this?

[captjcook]

Pictures help immensively ...could be shadows of fenders hanging or repairs...probably not factory. Most likely only cosmetic.
Just a guess, one can't be sure from a vague description...

Cheers and happy boat hunting...


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[TurninTurtle]

Could be as simple as staining from being against creosote soaked pier pilings.

Could be indication of something serious....

But no pictures = no way to say. And even with pictures we may not be certain.

[Orion Jim]

Rectangular in shape sounds like an area was masked off prior to a gelcoat repair. Have your local fiberglass pro take a look at it. He'll take one look and tell you precisely what the issue is. Why guess?

[Calif.Ted]

I have an '02 Catalina 320 that has some similar spots, although in a couple curved areas of transom and port coaming. When the boat is freshly polished and waxed almost un-noticeable, as the wax fades the discoloration stands out. Story I heard was it was "Too much release agent in the mold", beats me.
I bought my boat from the original owner who also stated it was from the factory.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, jah.

[jah0801]

You're right about having someone with the right background look at it. I was wondering if there was a significant issue that would explain it that I had not heard of- good or bad - and maybe save me some surveyor fees. I've never seen a hull with this kind of color issue. Many thanks!

[Cheechako]

Being rectangular I would definitely be wary of repairs. Not that everyone would do it that way, but if they masked off a rectangle to spray gel coat.....

[barnakiel]

Possibly polished in stands and someone forgot to polish under the pads?

I agree a regular shape is not what is normal with plain over time discoloration.

Dig deeper.

b.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Possibly polished in stands and someone forgot to polish under the pads?

I agree a regular shape is not what is normal with plain over time discoloration.

Dig deeper.

b.

Good thought!