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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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bottom paint/blister question/advice

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CB
1st Mate

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54 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/02/2003 : 13:25:09

I'm getting ready to haul out my 1981 C25 SK, and plan on replacing the to-hulls, keel cable, and doing some bottom work.
My hull has hundreds of tiny blisters, especially around the waterline, and a few larger ones (like5-7).
My question for the board is, should I just pull her out, let dry for 2wks and repaint, or should I repair all of the blisters and repaint, or just the large ones and repaint? Any advice, or experience in this area is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 13:46:44

I would be inclined to do a complete bottom job(strip, sand, repair, epoxy, antifouling,...etc) rather than just cleaning it up and recoating the existing bottom paint, but this depends on the amount of time/energy you have and funding.

I wouldn't repair the larger blisters while leaving the smaller ones, it would be all or nothing.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 13:48:18

I'm in the middle of removing all the bottom paint on my '82 and also have found many small blisters (most the size of a pea or smaller). I've opened up several and behind is dry fiberglass mat (seemingly no resin saturated the mat in those small spots during manufacturing).

The boat is 21 years old and, if that's as bad as it has developed in that amount of time, I'm tempted to sand them flat, epoxy barrier coat over, bottom paint and forget 'em. How bad can it get in another twenty years? It's not a structural problem.

Fix the big ones, open some of the small ones. If it's dry underneath the small ones, I wouldn't worry about 'em. If there's liquid (water or otherwise) underneath, then I'd worry about 'em.

John Mason
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/ali.jpg" border=0>
pronounced "Ali Paroosa"
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - John Mason on 04/02/2003 13:51:49

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2003 : 00:51:04

Chris,
Invest $3 in Gougeon Brothers Blister Repair and Prevention manual. It explains causes, reasons to repair, methods of repair nd preventing new ones.
I've had excellent results with Interlux 2000E and Interlux VC17.
Good Luck

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CB
1st Mate

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54 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2003 : 14:58:13

The yard I spoke w/ here (NC) said that blisters are so common here, that it is very typical to just pressure wash, lightly sand, and repaint. I would like to completely overhaul the bottom, but they don't want you to have your boat out for more than one month, and I'm concerned about adequate drying time to do the job right.
Does this sound like an OK thing to do? The boat is a 1981, so if it has not caused any serious problems in 22 years, could it?
I am new to this, would appreciate any comments from people who have had a similar situation.
Thanks,
Chris

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2003 : 11:10:53

>The yard I spoke w/ here (NC) said that blisters are so common here<

Interesting, local conditions conducive to blistering? Or as much as anywhere else......

On a different note, my 250 WB lives on a trailer...... 25 owners have many more years under their belt. Has anyone found that trailer boats develop blisters right where they rest on the trailer beds? Does the carpeting ever really dry up, or is there always enough moisture there to cause trouble?

Your thought s please....

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2003 : 11:31:08

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
>The yard I spoke w/ here (NC) said that blisters are so common here<

Interesting, local conditions conducive to blistering? Or as much as anywhere else......

While researching my blister repair I read that boats in the tropics have more bliters because of higher water temps - which might explain why more blisters form near the water line.

On a different note, my 250 WB lives on a trailer...... 25 owners have many more years under their belt. Has anyone found that trailer boats develop blisters right where they rest on the trailer beds?
Never heard of that

Does the carpeting ever really dry up, or is there always enough moisture there to cause trouble? It does dry up eventually - of course every time it rains it gets wet again - I really don't think bunk carpet has anything to do with blisters as is it pourous

Your thought s please....
Of course I could start-off a firestorm of comments here by saying the C250s are more susceptable to blisters than C25s because of the cheaper materials used in the newer boats - but I won't do that <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> .

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5896 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2003 : 14:39:42

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The yard I spoke w/ here (NC) said that blisters are so common here<

Interesting, local conditions conducive to blistering? Or as much as anywhere else...... <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I have heard it said that blisters are more prevalent in fresh water boats. Personally, I suspect the problem has more to do with the fiberglass materials and layup process than with the location. All fiberglass boats will eventually develop small blisters, but they are not a problem. Only the big, deep ones that penetrate into the mat are a serious concern, bercause they can cause delamination of the layers. In the early 1980s, blistering was a rare occurrence. From about 1984-5 until about 1989, almost all boats had problems with blistering. Boats built during that period are as durable as any others, as long as you keep a good barrier coat on them. I can't prove it, but have always believed that the producers of fiberglass resins and related products either changed their "recipes" or developed a different process that resulted in blistering. That is the only explanation that would account for the problem appearing in all the boat manufacturers at once.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Has anyone found that trailer boats develop blisters right where they rest on the trailer beds? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

In about 1987, I saw a 1985 C-30 that developed blisters where it sat on the trailer support pads. I don't think it's common, but am sure it happens.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> the C250s are more susceptable to blisters than C25s because of the cheaper materials used in the newer boats <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

After 1989, blistering became less of a problem, but it is still a concern. I don't believe that any different materials or processes are used in the different models of Catalinas. Catalina certainly wouldn't want to produce a boat that would damage their reputation, and the reality is that many of the people who buy big Catalinas are people who previously owned smaller Catalinas.

My 1981 C-25 (sailed 5 1/2 months a year on a fresh water lake) has never had a blister problem, and I have not painted it with a barrier coat. But, if I ever buy a new boat or sand my old one down to the gel coat, I will definitely put a barrier coat on it.

A man who has been involved in the fiberglass industry since its inception told me that water is one of the most invasive substances known. Given enough time, it will penetrate wood or steel. He said that there is no way of making fiberglass impervious to it. The good thing about it is that it is easy to repair, if you don't let it go too long.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2003 : 14:55:48

quote >the cheaper materials used in the newer boats<

Nice try, but I'm not gonna bite, 'caus I know you're right, and thats' why the new ones are more expensive and I didn't mind paying a little more.........<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - Oscar on 04/12/2003 14:57:40

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