Blisters

[Russ Hauser]

My new old C-22 bottom has lots and lots of blisters. This problem must be addressed before the boat goes back in the water again. Some of the blisters are open but most are just small raised bumps. When I sand over the blistered areas, lots of the blisters will be leveled off and faired into the hull. Will these blisters be okay if covered over with a couple of barrier coats and VC-17? Any open blisters will be cleaned out with a Dremel and filled then faired.

 

[Jack2438]

Thats what they did to mine

I had a bottom job done on my 1986 Catalina althou I didn't do the work myself the yard manager said "the most cost effective way is to sand the blisters down, fill the ones that were deep enough to need it, barrier coat and paint it". Its been 9 months and my boat hasn't sunk yet. This may not be the correct or best way but I bet its the most common way to deal with blisters. You may find a lot of info in the archives. good luck, Jack

 

[Dick of Sylvan]

Barrier Coat, C22

Russ: I did as you suggest to the bottom of my 1974 C22 about 4 years ago. I had lots of small (dime or less size) blisters. I just used a knife and screwdriver to clean out most blisters, plus sandpaper. Faired indentations with epoxy. Sanded whole bottom to remove old bottom paint, then cleaned and gave 5 coats of "Interlux's Interprotect 2000" barrier coat. It has held up well since treatment. I sanded it smoothe and did not cover with bottom paint as that is not needed on Wyoming's Fremont Lake. Have had it a couple of times in salt water of Puget Sound too for several days without apparent harm. Took some work, but well worth it. You mention just sanding over blisters that aren't open which may be a mistake. I suggest you poke at them with a screwdriver first because they may be hollow places which will give you trouble later, unless opened up then epoxyed and faired. Dick K.