Blisters on my bottom

[Craig Cody]

My dad always used to promise me these if I didn't behave, but the current ones are a recurrance of the famous "Catalina Acne". I have a 1985 C36 that had blistering when I bought the boat two years ago. Part of the sales agreement was that the seller would pay for a gelcoat peel and reseal, which they did ($5000.00). The yard used a 3M product that 3M now says is not now and never was suitable for that purpose. The diver who cleans the bottom said he is seeing blisters beginning to return. This entire situation has been a nightmare from the beginning (incompetent yard work, etc.), but the short version is, 3M claims that they are not responsible, the boatyard knew better than to use their product, since it had been recalled. (However they are willing to allow a couple of hundred dollars to replace the material.) The boatyard is taking no responsibility, saying it is 3M's faultfor selling a bum product. (The boatyard is owned, incidentally, by Frank Butler.) The attitude of both Frank and 3M seems to be "Why should we pay to re-do a job we screwed up on, we're sorry you have blisters, good luck in future endeavors." Has anybody else had problems with this 3M product? If so, what did you do?

 

[Jon Bastien]

WHICH 3M product?

You didn't say which product was used on your hull when it was hauled...--Jon BastienH25 'Adagio'

 

[Eric Drayman]

West

Have the Boat pulled out and check how bad it has become. It is not to bad Ground out the Blister and use WEST system including cloth if needed. If you want to push the issue with the yard or 3M you will need to get all of your ducks in order. This includes from day one what the issue was to NOW. ALL papers, conversations, and so on need to be put on paper and in order. After you are all set with this file in court. You might not win a trail case but after some time they will pay out. The Cost to fight you will still cost many more dollars that to just give up.

 

[Craig Cody]

Which Product

I'm not really certain which product was used. I'm having a hard time getting info from the yard. Check out this thread at Catalina Owners, as noted below. Just click on related link.

 

[hp]

Peeling is a Rip

I have 1985 Catalina 30. Second owner and Frank Butler very cooperative in repairing extensive blistering in FL yard. Gel sandblasted off, build layer of high build epoxy, repaint. Note, this before the invention of the instant cash machine called the peeler. All blisters found were primarily cosmetic, not deep. Lots of them though...In past 10 years I have kept the boat in the water (FL & VA) year round. Haul only every two years and usually find 4-6 "zits" which take about an hour to lightly grind out, fill, seal with epoxy, paint. Never deep, no structural threat. Cost of materials around $20. Peeling is no guarantee of a fix. Why not fix only what needs it as long as the blisters are shallow? I have seen too many bad paint jobs cause blistering just below the paint surface and have yards say "the only way we can fix it is to peel for $100/ft." This is a racket that has ripped off thousands of boat owners.Yes there are cases where peeling is necessary and recommended but plastic surgery isn't necessary when Clearasil will do.