Poking at buying a 1999 H260, however, I notice there is no barrier coat on the hull. The hull is in great condition and the boat is moored in fresh water for 4 months of the year. I plan on morning six months in fresh. Should I be concerned about blisters?
Gelcoat blisters
- Thread starter Willemvan
- Start date
Many boats, including yours, do not use a barrier coat...just the gelcoat and then a bottom paint. If there are no blisters on the boat, the chance of them happening now is pretty low, especially if you stay in the same fresh water location.
IF you change to a very different fresh water location, your chance for blisters may go up, ever so lightly. Similarly if you move a boat from a cold location to a humid/hot one, or vice versa, the risk might go up a bit more.
Experts disagree on the use of a barrier coat/epoxy barrier in that if it is not done prior to the first use in the water, it can actually trap moisture in, leaving the moisture no where to go but in the layup materials. Others promote it's use, assuming you dry the hull (and blisters, if there are any or their repaired leftovers) correctly.
Blisters were the byproduct of using a different resin than most builders use today, and are generally cosmetic only.
Best to continue reading up, or contact a boat epoxy company, or surveyor who knows your area and the waters you will be in.
IF you change to a very different fresh water location, your chance for blisters may go up, ever so lightly. Similarly if you move a boat from a cold location to a humid/hot one, or vice versa, the risk might go up a bit more.
Experts disagree on the use of a barrier coat/epoxy barrier in that if it is not done prior to the first use in the water, it can actually trap moisture in, leaving the moisture no where to go but in the layup materials. Others promote it's use, assuming you dry the hull (and blisters, if there are any or their repaired leftovers) correctly.
Blisters were the byproduct of using a different resin than most builders use today, and are generally cosmetic only.
Best to continue reading up, or contact a boat epoxy company, or surveyor who knows your area and the waters you will be in.
There are two basic resins one being vinlyester and the other polyester. The first is expensive but water penetration thru that is next to impossible but not so with polyester. Years ago, manufactures opted for the more expensive so not to have hulls blistering in the water.
I would still suggest an anti fouling paint for the four months in the water and there is a softer paint for trailerables that can be used and when the boat is out for over 60 days the bottom paint will not loose it's anti fouling properties which there are several and one is by West Marine.
I would still suggest an anti fouling paint for the four months in the water and there is a softer paint for trailerables that can be used and when the boat is out for over 60 days the bottom paint will not loose it's anti fouling properties which there are several and one is by West Marine.