Small Blisters

[SHADS]

I'm about to give my boat a coat of anti-fouling paint. We bought her (1986 22 foot Mac Gregor) last August. She had a lot of algae and slim on her. I cleaned her off and notice small blisters all under the water line. They are the size of a ball point pen tip. Can I just sand them to open them and then paint or do they need to filled first?

 

[Waffle]

Nothing to worry about

Glad I got to you before Ross. He'd have you grinding the gel coat off. Nothing to worry abount they are in the gel coat not the fiber-glass. I had a SJ-21 with the same blisters. If you take the bottom paint of they go away. Just enjoy the Boat.

 

[SHADS]

repair scratches

Along with small blisters ( pencil lead size) the previous owner must have hit some rock and put a scratch in the hull. If i use an expoxy filler will I have put on an epoxy paint before the bottom coat?

 

[Waffle]

I had the same problem with my San Juan 21

You can use expoxy filler. I used Marine Tex. It did not work. The Hull is all fiberglass therefore water can't get into it and rot it out. I am sure you would feel more comfortable covering the crack then leaving them exposed. I think I would use an expoxy paint; 5 coats over the area. That might crack too. I don't think you have a problem so it is up to you. The one shot expoxy filler is easier.I think the boat cracked when the owner jack it up to paint the bottom. People jack the trailor up then place cinder blocks under the boat and loser the trailer. The boat cracks because the weight is not on the center.

 

[Waffle]

SHADS has the boat been bottom painted before????

If not expoxy the bottom!!!! Older boats are subject to blisters. If there is no bottom paint you want to barrier coat the bottom. It can't hurt that is for sure...

 

[NautiDuck]

Go sailing

Whatever is going to happen has already happened to a 20 year old boat. Put on some anti-fouling paint and go sailing.I had similar bumps on my 1986 C22. I actually mapped a section of the hull using wax paper and tracing the bumps each year. I know, kind of anal. Nothing changed, no new ones at all. Don't worry.

 

[Waffle]

RE: Go sailing

I would agree unless you boat has not been painted. The BB size blister are nothing to worry about BUT you never know. If you can get to the bottom now is the time to lay down some protection.

 

[higgs]

I suggest

Pop the blisters and allow them to dryout. Use a screw driver to clear out compromised gell coat and glass matt. You want to be left with a crater where the side slopes inward to the hull.Use West Epoxy mixed with a filler to fill in holes - sand smooth and go sailing.

 

[Waffle]

higgs - he has BB size blisters

they are in the gelcoat. The important thing we need to know is if the boat is bottom painted. If it is than he has to remove the bottom paint and the blister should dy out without popping them. I would agree with you is there is no bottom paint. The algae and slim could also be trapping the water in the gelcoat. Higgs, SHADS states, "notice small blisters all under the water line. They are the size of a ball point pen tip". I have had these type of blister before and they are nothing you worry about. Your method of repair is not called for unless the blisster are dime size. SHADS, if you not sure post some pic(s) of the Catalina 22 web site. I think you should join and talk with other owner. I think you'll find out the boat is fine. The only reason I recommend a barrier coat if the boat is not painted is becuase it is a hell of a lot easier now, before the bottom oaint goes on. A barrier coat would protect the boat from any future problems.

 

[SHADS]

Small Blisters response

Thanks first for all the info and experiences you have all written. The boat has no anti-fouling paint on her. she just has the original factory paint.