Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

[Wellcraft175]

Hi all, I am new to the form and was hoping that someone can give me some sound advice.<br /><br />This season I purchased a 1997 Wellcraft Excel 175SSX second hand from the original owner. The original owner purchaed the boat as a left over in August of 1998.<br /><br />Owner #1 only used the boat about 2 dozen times and trailered the boat to fresh water only. The boat spent most of its time on land on the trailer. It is truly like new!<br /><br />I purchased the boat this February and slipped the boat in brackish water on the Delaware river just north of Philadelphia, PA.<br /><br />I halued the boat out this week and had the marina bottom scub the un-painted hull and found that I had boat pox (numerous dime and quarter size blisters between the gelcoat). <br /><br />Questions:<br />1. Is this a death sentence for the hull? Is it like rust/cancer to a car?<br />2. Can it be properly repaired? Should I get it repaired?<br />3. How expensive would this be on a 17' bowrider? What is the process?<br /><br />I am very disappointed as this boat was and still is in NEW condition. Should I contact Wellcraft as the hull has a big 5 year warranty sticker on the transom? Does anyone think they would stand behind this problem?<br /><br />Thanks for any advice.

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

Wellcraft175,<br /><br />You have a case of the "blisters" Some hulls are more prone than others. It is basically caused by agents in the gel coat leaching through. Sitting in the water seems to accelerate the condition.<br /><br />Yes, you can "deal" with it, but you may not like the answer(s). You have two choices.<br /><br />1. You can have the bottom re-gelcoated. This is expensive and it will probably blister again.<br /><br />2. You can "treat" the blisters with special bottom paints (read sealing) and apply a finish (abative) bottom paint over that. I would highly recommend bottom paint for any boat that sits in the water.<br /><br />You can read up on options at: <br /><br />www.westmarine.com<br /><br />www.pettitpaint.com<br /><br />The folks at Pettit are very helpful.

 

[93evinrude]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

I would definitely give Wellcraft a call as it is expensive to fix properly and it is definitely worth the try.I'm surprised that there are blisters this soon and it makes me wonder if there was a problem when it was originally manufactured or if someone used a harsh chemical on the bottom at some point.<br />Definitely get it repaired if you plan on keeping the boat for a long time.<br />Good luck.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

don't know for sure.. don't want to scare ya... but your warranty mite be void if kept in the water without a 'bottom paint' just givin' you a heads-up...

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

wellcraft- i think you figured it out already, but you don't want to leave your boat in the water if the bottom is not painted. blistering occurs (as you know), and barnacles attach and ruin your hull. paint next year if you plan to do the same.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

By all means contact Wellcraft first. The fix is expensive. I had this on my last boat and Regal paid for half of the repair even though the warranty was expired. Hopefully Wellcraft will help you out.<br /><br />If you're left on your own, paint will not fix the problem. The only fix is to grind out the blisters and let them dry over the winter or speed up the process indoors with heat. The blisters will then have to be filled with an epoxy fairing compond and the entire hull finished with an epoxy barrier coat and bottom paint.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

Whether or not Wellcraft steps to the plate...and I doubt it, you have another option...start trailering the boat. If that is not practical for you then fix it yourself. It is not difficult work and there is a wealth of how-to info available. It IS dirty/nasty/toxic work. Be aware that there is a LOT of disagreement among the experts as to the best way to treat this problem...even IF it is a problem. Many blisters are cosmetic in nature. For what it's worth I have seen more than one boat have it's blisters ground out, dried, filled, barrier coated and painted...only for the problem to return in a couple of years. I would not let any yard do this work without a written guarantee that the problem would not return. If I were you I would let it dry out and then trailer it. Good luck.

 

[taz33911]

Re: Boat Pox - Blisters on Hull

I don't know about wellcraft warranty but ours says in the warranty if you leave it in the water for more than a few days at a time you need to bottom paint it.blisters and stress cracks are not covered but, in the past I have fixed a lot of them.Another problem might be you are not the original owner I would call wellcraft anyway they may still help out anyway the bottom line is keep the customer happy.