Blisters, some have um some don't. The cat22 I bought was in the water for the past four years at least. I trailer it instead of docking it but it does have about six blisters the biggest being the size of a silver dollar. I have read that it's a long prosses to fix them , but my question is how bad is it to leave them be for a while ? In other words do I have to fix them NOW. Thank you to all for your replys. Alan
Blisters
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As Bad Obsession notes, it is unlikely that any boat has sunk from them
but they are a symptom of a condition. If you are trailering your C 22 then you probably do not need to worry about blisters at this time. One of the first steps to repairing blisters is to get the hull dry and you will do this by keeping your boat on a trailer, especially over winter if it is out of the water for several months in a row without being launched. I put a dry racing sailing dinghy (Lightning 19') on a mooring last summer without any anti fouling paint for about 3 months in salt water. Big mistake. Many barnacles and as I laboriously cleaned the hull of these pests I noticed small pencil eraser sized blisters or rises in the surface. I suspect that a lot of this has to do with the fiberglass layup of the boat AND how long you keep it in the water. Many boats survive in the water for multiple years without blisters but I have seen wallet sized blisters on motor boats in my local marina up north here on Long Island. It is a good idea to thoroughly inspect your hull to see if there are any nicks or dings in your gel coat that could allow water to infiltrate the fiberglass. Blisters are an indication that the fiberglass is kind of 'rotting'. Fiberglass can last for a long time if it is not allowed to get wet for prolonged periods. A good bottom paint job can help a bit if the hull is in good shape. It is summer, go sailing now.
but they are a symptom of a condition. If you are trailering your C 22 then you probably do not need to worry about blisters at this time. One of the first steps to repairing blisters is to get the hull dry and you will do this by keeping your boat on a trailer, especially over winter if it is out of the water for several months in a row without being launched. I put a dry racing sailing dinghy (Lightning 19') on a mooring last summer without any anti fouling paint for about 3 months in salt water. Big mistake. Many barnacles and as I laboriously cleaned the hull of these pests I noticed small pencil eraser sized blisters or rises in the surface. I suspect that a lot of this has to do with the fiberglass layup of the boat AND how long you keep it in the water. Many boats survive in the water for multiple years without blisters but I have seen wallet sized blisters on motor boats in my local marina up north here on Long Island. It is a good idea to thoroughly inspect your hull to see if there are any nicks or dings in your gel coat that could allow water to infiltrate the fiberglass. Blisters are an indication that the fiberglass is kind of 'rotting'. Fiberglass can last for a long time if it is not allowed to get wet for prolonged periods. A good bottom paint job can help a bit if the hull is in good shape. It is summer, go sailing now.
Jim
Have you ever seen this happen? I cannot imagine the water concentration being enough to split the fiberglass. If you take a wet sponge and freeze it, it does not become solid ice nor does it expand like ice does. Also, the fact that a blister is a void that is exposed, would the expanding ice not take the path of least resistance which is out of the fiberglass? IOW, it can only damage glass that is already damaged. It cannot force it's way into dry glass. Sure, it will break open the gelcoat but you need to do that anyway.
Have you ever seen this happen? I cannot imagine the water concentration being enough to split the fiberglass. If you take a wet sponge and freeze it, it does not become solid ice nor does it expand like ice does. Also, the fact that a blister is a void that is exposed, would the expanding ice not take the path of least resistance which is out of the fiberglass? IOW, it can only damage glass that is already damaged. It cannot force it's way into dry glass. Sure, it will break open the gelcoat but you need to do that anyway.
freezing
I am not concerned of freezing as we have not had that kinda cold here. We may get some ice over night but it's gone before noon. The blisters are hard not soft or open at this time. Thanx for the reply all. Alan
I am not concerned of freezing as we have not had that kinda cold here. We may get some ice over night but it's gone before noon. The blisters are hard not soft or open at this time. Thanx for the reply all. Alan
Type of Blister
To some degree, the type of blister matters. If the blister is between the fiberglass and the gelcoat, this is not structural. If the blister is between the outer mat and an inner layer of fiberglass, that is another story.
To some degree, the type of blister matters. If the blister is between the fiberglass and the gelcoat, this is not structural. If the blister is between the outer mat and an inner layer of fiberglass, that is another story.
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