Osmosis in gelcoat

[SkaterRace]

I noticed a couple of days ago, as I was prepping to launch my boat for the season this weekend, that I had a couple of small blisters in the gelcoat on the port underside, right near the transom (below water line). It's about a 6-inch by 12-inch patch with some scattered. The fibreglass guy I normally deal with is always insanely busy this time of year, and I am expecting a 4-6 week wait. I can't call him till likely next week as the answering machine says he is out of the shop for the week.

Would it be a bad idea to launch the boat and then put it back on the trailer to take to him when he is able to get me in? I've never had anything below the waterline before so unsure if I should keep it on the trailer or at the marina in the meantime.

 

[racerone]

If you have blisters in one spot there is no point in fixing that.-----Blisters will show up allover next month / next year.-----Launch the boat and enjoy.----Set $$$ aside for proper repairs.

 

[SkaterRace]

If you have blisters in one spot there is no point in fixing that.-----Blisters will show up allover next month / next year.-----Launch the boat and enjoy.----Set $$$ aside for proper repairs.

What is the proper repair? I'm hoping not a big job as it's a 7 year old boat...

 

[racerone]

Talk to your fiberglass shops / big marinas.----Or search U-tube.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, fix the few blisters you already have, and then apply an epoxy barrier coat to prevent more blisters.

If you launch it now, you could have blisters all over the wet area. That fix will cost $$.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Blisters happen because gel is porous, and water can eventually seep through and become trapped between the glass and gel coat. They're usually happen where bunks sit first, because those areas don't dry as well, so the water has more time to work in.

I somewhat agree with Chris, if you're going to fix it then you need a barrier over the whole bottom to prevent it later. That's already a big job, but I bet there are loads of little blisters that you aren't seeing, so I would expect the job to only get bigger.

 

[racerone]

Agree----Think---" whack a mole "--on a big scale.------Not a good time of the year to start on this job.-----Save the $$$$$ / beer tokens for October.

 

[flashback]

From my experience owning a sailboat that stayed in the water all year when ever I hauled it out for bottom paint I would find a new batch.. sanding the paint would make them show up.