Blister update

F

Fairbro

New member
A few years ago the Brats were discussing hull blisters at great length and I noted that I had some small ones too and would keep an eye on them and report back. My 2001, 22 cruiser has been kept in fresh water for 4 months per year for 12 years now. The number of small (less than dime sized) blisters has increased slowly over the years. At first they were just in the color gel coat at the water line and below ( in my case green which seems to be more susceptible to blisters). This spring I decided to have them checked out as they were creeping up above the water line into the white gel coat about 2 inches above the green. By checking out I mean buzzed down and ground out with an estimate topping out at 4 grand. Well some folks have spent that much on dogs hit by cars and my Minnie is just as precious so I gave the go- ahead. Good news! The blisters were superficial and did not penetrate the fiberglass matting. Every one was dry and there was no evidence on water penetrating the core. The price came down to $1,900 which includes epoxy sealing and 3 coats of bottom paint which I have no idea if it's reasonable or not but I'm happy to have this off my mind and wanted to pass this along to other concerned Brats. I hate it when issues just drift off I to oblivion and we never learn the outcomes. So here's mine.
 
Thanks for the update, I appreciate it. Nice to get a job done at half of what it might have been and better yet no structural damage.

Jay
 
I have heard of a few boats (including several C Dorys) where there was an adherence issue between the gel coat and the first laminate layer. This appears to the case here. This is not "osmotic" blistering. It is an issue with the gel coat, and probably not getting a good chemical bond with the next layer to the Gel Coat--or perhaps the wrong gel coat.
 
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