I made a mistake in not applying a bottom paint when I got my new 26M two years ago. It is in the water 95% of the time. There are smallblisters at and below the waterline. I need information on how to fix this, and what products to use. The boat is doing well, otherwise.
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gelcoat blisters
According to my yard, it depends on the size,not the number of blisters. IF they are tiny, like pinhead size, and when you pop them you see they are in the gelcoat, not the epoxy resin of the hull laminate, then all you have to do is break all the blisters by sanding or scraping. Let dry thorougly inside the boat and out, then paint over with a premium bottom paint at least three coats on the bottom. I had the same problem with my X, did this with an extra coat of botom paint for the first foot of hull below the actual waterline. After nine months, no problems. The yard explained that gelcoat is only for looks, not for protection or strength. Gelcoat is permeable to water. I used Interlux Micron Extra as it can be trailered, can stay dry indefinitely then relaunched without repainting, and although an ablative, sticks to the hull very well, and keeps off slime, algae and critters.
According to my yard, it depends on the size,not the number of blisters. IF they are tiny, like pinhead size, and when you pop them you see they are in the gelcoat, not the epoxy resin of the hull laminate, then all you have to do is break all the blisters by sanding or scraping. Let dry thorougly inside the boat and out, then paint over with a premium bottom paint at least three coats on the bottom. I had the same problem with my X, did this with an extra coat of botom paint for the first foot of hull below the actual waterline. After nine months, no problems. The yard explained that gelcoat is only for looks, not for protection or strength. Gelcoat is permeable to water. I used Interlux Micron Extra as it can be trailered, can stay dry indefinitely then relaunched without repainting, and although an ablative, sticks to the hull very well, and keeps off slime, algae and critters.
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