hull blistering

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rav

The hull on my 376 was inspected and the report indicated that the hull was bllistering. Has anayone experienced the same problem with a new hull? Will Hunter Marine work with me on solving this problem? How much will tehy take care of? How serious is this problem?
 
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Denny P.

Oh no not another blister

One out of four vessels made out of fiberglass will blister to some extent. Maybe ya got the one in four, but, I hope not. A few small blisters in any boat are normal. Grind them out and let them dry for a few weeks then west system them. Next haul out look (rapidly I might say, cause they can shrink fast) for more, If ya don't find any new ones, you have fixed the problem, hopefully, forever. How old is your boat? I have heard that Hunter Marine will help on a limited basis with blister problems if you are the original owner..Good Luck...Denny P.
 
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Ray Bowles

rav, Hunters warrentee is 5 yrs on the hull last

time I heard and they did my hull completely under warrentee 3 yrs ago. It included blister repair, epoxy and paint. Contact your dealer and start working thru him, or, if you bought it second hand and it's less than 5 yrs call Hunter Marine. Your best answers always come from those affected by the question, not others. Ray S/V Speedy
 
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Doug

Repairs are scheduled

I found blisters on my '98 when hauled last spring. They were predominately localized where the hull was disturbed, such as where the shaft and other through hulls are located. The rudder had extensive blistering. A Hunter rep looked at and authorized repairs scheduled for this winter. Our dealer will be doing the work.
 
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rav

Thank You

Thanks to those of you who responded to "Hull Blistering". My 376 is a 1998, and I will be taking everyones kind advice. Thank You and Happy New Year.
 
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George Kornreich

Mine is in the yard now for bottom repair..

so I'm quite familiar with what Hunter will do for you. You'll need to get a "quick-haul" done and take some photos, to send to them along with the repair estimate. You'll get a fast response from them. They don't cover the haulout, the drying time (but your yard may include some drying time with the repair job), or the final painting, so they recommend that if possible you wait until it is time to have the bottom painted anyway. My yard explained that no matter what you do, though, blisters may return again in 5-6 years, as there's no perfect way to prevent it. Fiberglass boats just slowly disolve! Good Luck.
 
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Tim Schaaf

DISAGREE.....

...lots of blister jobs last much, much longer than that, if not indefinitely. And, there are quite a few yards that will give you a ten year warranty. The epoxy manufacturers can often point you to a yard in your area that will warrant its work. By the way, the things that seem to affect the life of the blister job include using at least 20 mils, up to 40 mils of thickness. Many yards and do it yourselfers use quite a bit less, but the yards that warrant their work go for 20 mils plus. It also very important to maintain a dry bilge, or epoxy it, as well. Finally, research indicates that it is a big help to epoxy at least six inches above the waterline, although this is infrequently done. At least take the epoxy to the top of your bootstripe, and then re-do the bootstripe. If you only go to the waterline, the laminate will still be exposed in a very humid, and often wet area. Good luck. Using these techniques, I am almost at the eight year mark of tropical sailing since my do it yourself blister job...with nary a blister, so far, knock on wood!
 
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George Kornreich

Thanks, Tim

Looks like the info I had lacked some accuracy. I appreciate the details. What I know was acurate though is the process that Hunter used to activate their warranty. George
 
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