I have a 79 H27 that has some small pea sized blisters on the bottom. During a recent survey I was told that it is not necessary to repair the blisters. At what point should blisters be repaired? Is this true. If I do or do not repair them can I expect more will appear in other areas?
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TOM MCNAMARA
BLISTERS
I am not an authority on blisters but my 87 Trawler had the same problem and never got worse. When I traded it in for a 99 450 it really didnt lower the trade-in value,but then I was buying a new 450 and if he didnt like it there are athers who would. On a 1979 dont worry
I am not an authority on blisters but my 87 Trawler had the same problem and never got worse. When I traded it in for a 99 450 it really didnt lower the trade-in value,but then I was buying a new 450 and if he didnt like it there are athers who would. On a 1979 dont worry
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Justin Meddock
WAIT
It took over 20 years to get your blisters to this point. I would sit back and watch them for a few more years before deciding what to do. Go to www.osmosisinfo.com to learn more than you ever wanted to know about blisters. Justin Meddock 78 h27 SHADOW
It took over 20 years to get your blisters to this point. I would sit back and watch them for a few more years before deciding what to do. Go to www.osmosisinfo.com to learn more than you ever wanted to know about blisters. Justin Meddock 78 h27 SHADOW
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Ed Schenck
Next step?
I received the same advice regarding my 1979 H37C. If you are just at the stage where you are cleaning and bottom coating then you can ignore them. In my case I was taking all the paint off and sanding as prep for a barrier coat. So while I was doing the work anyway I looked for blisters that had hairline cracks. There were maybe fifty the size of a pencil eraser and less than twenty were dime size. I used a Dremmel to make a small depression then filled with an epoxy/fiber and sanded. Most people think I am crazy to have done that much work on a 1979 boat. They're most likely correct.
I received the same advice regarding my 1979 H37C. If you are just at the stage where you are cleaning and bottom coating then you can ignore them. In my case I was taking all the paint off and sanding as prep for a barrier coat. So while I was doing the work anyway I looked for blisters that had hairline cracks. There were maybe fifty the size of a pencil eraser and less than twenty were dime size. I used a Dremmel to make a small depression then filled with an epoxy/fiber and sanded. Most people think I am crazy to have done that much work on a 1979 boat. They're most likely correct.
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R.W.Landau
West System.
Gary, Buy and read the West System book named "Gelcoat Blisters" diagnosis, repair and prevention. If you read this and can rule out dealing with it, that is good . If you read it and decide to deal with it, you may be saving value to someone who is concerned with how thier boat was maintained. I can think of nothing more important than maintaining hull integrity. It is available at all the main boat suppliers, West Marine, Defender, Boat US, Boating World. It is worth the 52 pages that have been recognized as authorities. r.w.landau
Gary, Buy and read the West System book named "Gelcoat Blisters" diagnosis, repair and prevention. If you read this and can rule out dealing with it, that is good . If you read it and decide to deal with it, you may be saving value to someone who is concerned with how thier boat was maintained. I can think of nothing more important than maintaining hull integrity. It is available at all the main boat suppliers, West Marine, Defender, Boat US, Boating World. It is worth the 52 pages that have been recognized as authorities. r.w.landau
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Bryan C.
Agree, wait
Repairing can do more damage than help. A few small blisters on a 20 year old boat is not a problem. I have about a dozen on my '88, when I got her two years ago, left them alone, after 2 years no change in size noted.
Repairing can do more damage than help. A few small blisters on a 20 year old boat is not a problem. I have about a dozen on my '88, when I got her two years ago, left them alone, after 2 years no change in size noted.
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Tim Schaaf
Another manual
Interlux also has a great manual for blister repair. I have done a blister repair on a 33, but then again, I have had the boat for nineteen years, plan on keeping it, and do all I can to keep her in absolutely top shape.(seven years later, we are blister-free) Having had extensive experience with blisters on this and other boats, I would make the following observations: If you get into a repair, you will find that you have many times more blisters (albeit tiny ones) than you ever thought. Make sure you get 20 -40 mils of barrier coat, which is about twice what many of the manuals recommend (talk to their technical staff to learn why). Go about six inches above the water line (yards never do this unless you INSIST...and it means a new boot-top). Either also barrier coat your bilge or install one of the leak-free options or both. Many boats blister from the water in the bilge. It gets into the roving quite easily and wicks to other areas.Keep your bilge dry. Good luck.
Interlux also has a great manual for blister repair. I have done a blister repair on a 33, but then again, I have had the boat for nineteen years, plan on keeping it, and do all I can to keep her in absolutely top shape.(seven years later, we are blister-free) Having had extensive experience with blisters on this and other boats, I would make the following observations: If you get into a repair, you will find that you have many times more blisters (albeit tiny ones) than you ever thought. Make sure you get 20 -40 mils of barrier coat, which is about twice what many of the manuals recommend (talk to their technical staff to learn why). Go about six inches above the water line (yards never do this unless you INSIST...and it means a new boot-top). Either also barrier coat your bilge or install one of the leak-free options or both. Many boats blister from the water in the bilge. It gets into the roving quite easily and wicks to other areas.Keep your bilge dry. Good luck.
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R.W.Landau
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Tim Schaaf
In addition
In addition, let the blisters really dry out after opening them up or removing all the gelcoat. This is incredibly important and can take months. It is the hard part. Wash either the open blisters or the hull if all the gelcoat is off, every week or so with fresh water. This helps draw the stuff you are trying to get rid of to the surface, and prevents it from being sealed in . This is not a very technical description of what happens....just be sure to wash the bare parts. Scrub them.
In addition, let the blisters really dry out after opening them up or removing all the gelcoat. This is incredibly important and can take months. It is the hard part. Wash either the open blisters or the hull if all the gelcoat is off, every week or so with fresh water. This helps draw the stuff you are trying to get rid of to the surface, and prevents it from being sealed in . This is not a very technical description of what happens....just be sure to wash the bare parts. Scrub them.
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