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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Gelcoat blisters

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/18/2006 : 13:28:51

Just read an interesting article on gelcoat blisters in which the author said that "gelcoat blisters don't matter". He seems to have good credentials and makes a logical argument. Since I happen to be looking at a boat with a few isolated blisters, this is good news to me.

Now, what do you think?

http://www.yachtworld.com/sealake/sealake_8.html

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 17:19:01

I have spent thousands because of blisters and decided after my last round that I would never again.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 18:33:24

John,

The gentleman seems to know what he's talking about and has the cridentials to boot. The fact is though, blisters, whether on the topsides or on the bottom, and whether they are a structural problem or not, would bother my sense of having a "well maintained" vessel and would bother the heck out of me until I fixed them. It's probably just me but, I'm sure other owners would agree, if it's broken or messy, or wearing out, replace or fix it. It's the seaman-like thing to do.

I wouldn't let a few blisters deter purchasing an otherwise well-found and equipped boat. I'd check on repair costs and negotiate them with the owner. It's genrally a buyers market after all.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3472 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 22:20:55

I bought my boat Fall05 while it was in the water. I did not have it taken out to inspect the bottom. Based on what seemed to be pretty good shape from all I could see, I took a chance on what I could not see. About two months or so after my purchase, I had the bottom pressure washed and assessed. I had about a dime to a quarter sized blisters on the port side, closer to the bow, and a few on the starboard side. The marina that had done the pressure washing ($75 Tuesday special includes hauling it out, pressure washing and then lowering it back in) advised me to leave the blisters alone and see the next time I had it hauled out, if they increased in the number and in their size. They indicated they were at present not all that big and could have been that way for many years.

This past fall, I had the boat once again pressure washed and we had a more detailed look at the blisters. Turns out that the vast majority were paint blisters and not into the gel coat. There were approximately 6 of them that did seem to be into the gel coat. I was going to have my boat hauled out in another month or two anyway to have the bottom painted and so the marina would then be able to make a full assessment. The verdict was that a few were into the gel coat which they squared them away and then final step was to apply some waterproof paint over them and a few addl ones that had a hint of a raise to the surface. After that, they applied the anti-fouling paint.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 22:32:37

Here is another expert who says not to worry about it. He is an authority and has a number of articles on blisters.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/BuyingBlisterBoat.htm

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2006 : 05:37:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 John,

if it's broken or messy, or wearing out, replace or fix it. It's the seaman-like thing to do.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

unless it got in the way of sailing.

I've fixed the handful of blisters we have had over the years and I've met a number of people who hold a blister don't mean Jack opionion and the only thing I have to say is this - Wet still freezes up north. If I lived in the south I might join them in their blister thoughts.

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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2006 : 08:40:10

I've got to agree with Duane. I'm no expert but In the North where boats are taken out of the water every year and the hull is exposed to below freezing temperatures you can watch the blisters form and grow over the first few weeks after the boat is in the cradle. This is because of the reduction in pressure when the hull is exposed to air instead of being immersed in water.Then if the temperature goes significantly below freezing (which it does on a regular basis around here) the water trapped in the hull behind the gel coat will expand and you will find that some of the blisters will pop like a pimple on thew face of a fifteen year old boy virgin. Like I said I'm no expert but that can't be good for the hull, or boat speed, or your reputation as a Bristol Seaman.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2006 : 10:47:08

John,
I spent half of a sailing season piercing about a gazilion blisters the size of split peas. They were discovered after having the bottom sand blasted. Both sides of the hull below the waterline were involved. The process involved excavating each and then letting them dry out( most important ) then filling them with a two part epoxy paste and sanding smooth. This was followed up with four coats of barrier coat and ablative paint. second best maintenance proceedure I've ever performed on the boat. The first was replacing the swing keel with a wing.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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