Hull Blisters

[Southern Grin]

Who on here has had experience with gel-coat blisters ?? I have a 1988 32' Topaz Express that appears to have blisters. How much will something like this cost ?? Can it be done in the winter ?? How long is the drying time ??

[Sportsman 45]

Who on here has had experience with gel-coat blisters ?? I have a 1988 32' Topaz Express that appears to have blisters. How much will something like this cost ?? Can it be done in the winter ?? How long is the drying time ??

The longer you let it dry the better. 1st get a moisture meter and find out where it is wet, then before you do anything else find out WHY.

If through hulls and bilge pumps float switches and the like were not bedded properly you will end up wet again.

West systems has great literature about the issue, educate yourself before you contract for the repair.

Good Luck

[ShaneS]

Before you do anything, how may blisters do you have, and how big are they? Most blisters are cosmetic, and really will not hurt anything. The best thing to do is contact a reputable fiberglass professional or three to help educate you on what you are dealing with. Most small blisters (half dollar size or smaller), can be repaired very easily, if there are not too many. If the bottom is full of blisters, or they are very large blister you might be looking at a complete bottom job, which means $$$$$$$. At that point you have to see if it is worth investing that kind of money in your boat. Your boat is a 1988, typically the number of blisters you have now is all the boat will ever have.

If you try to do a bottom job yourself, and do not do it right within a year you can have more blisters than you did before. If you don't prep it right between the hull, barrier coat, and bottom paint it will do it again usually wore than before.

[Southern Grin]

Hey guys thanks ! I'm having a moisture meter check this week to see the extent of the blister problem. I will let you all know the results.

[Southern Grin]

ShaneS, I spoke with two people today. Both had moisture meters. The first one recommended "peeling" the bottom and the moisture meter was above normal throughout the boat. The second person had a digital meter and just more or less put it on the actual blisters, which showed a high moisture content, of course ! Now this person suggested just grinding out the actual blisters and filling them in. Some blisters are big and some are small. I'm not sure which way to go. If I spend a little bit of money now could other blisters pop-up later ?? Or a complete peel and a barrier coat application ??

[Sportsman 45]

ShaneS, I spoke with two people today. Both had moisture meters. The first one recommended "peeling" the bottom and the moisture meter was above normal throughout the boat. The second person had a digital meter and just more or less put it on the actual blisters, which showed a high moisture content, of course ! Now this person suggested just grinding out the actual blisters and filling them in. Some blisters are big and some are small. I'm not sure which way to go. If I spend a little bit of money now could other blisters pop-up later ?? Or a complete peel and a barrier coat application ??

Most of us have more time than money.....I recommend that you open up the blisters and start the drying process, follow the drying guidelines in the West book.
One thing in your favor is cold air is dry air and it should dry rather quicker than in summer humidity.

As I said before you either have blisters from just your outside or outside and inside. If you have just outside then once they dry check the moisture of the surrounding areas remember the water will travel to the opened areas anywhere it can. I've even removed thru hulls just to see if water would gravitate to the openings, then check again if she's drier then consider doing your barrier coat system Interlux etc. etc. Your on the right track take your time some folks make a good living on blister jobs.

I have run boats for years and years with minor blistering with no major issues, some photos would certainly help us give you credible information.

[Southern Grin]

Sportsman 45: Thank you. Your input is very important. I'm having trouble "trusting" the local fiberglass experts. I just want a good job and no further blister issues. we'll see. Stay tuned................................

[Sportsman 45]

Sportsman 45: Thank you. Your input is very important. I'm having trouble "trusting" the local fiberglass experts. I just want a good job and no further blister issues. we'll see. Stay tuned................................

That's the right attitude take it slow, gather your information, and then move. Opening the blisters and giving it some time will

give you a great deal of information.

[brokensheer]

Kenny, great to meet you today !,, looking forward to a visit after the blasting,, Happy New Year

[Southern Grin]

Hey All: thanks for the information. I have opted to have the hull soda-blasted and the blisters ground out. Hey Bo: thank you for taking the time to come by and looking at my boat. I will still keep you all posted as to my progress. I hope I can supply pictures as the job progresses. ( if I can figure out how to get the pics on SF !!). Also Shane: look forward to meeting you sometime in March, I hope to be in Islamorada at that time and will stop by.