What are these tiny bubbles??

[A1957]

They are along the sides of the strakes, both sides of the hull of a 1985 Century Coronado. I am preparing to replace the stringers and floors and if this is additional damage that needs to be dealt with I may just part it out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

hull blisters

if you moore your boat, you may want to add a barrier coat and a bottom coat.

you can take care of it when you do the transom, stringers, deck and foam.

 

[flashback]

Yep blisters are the bane of many sailors who keep their boat in the water. A lot of folks Dremel them with a burr, let them dry for a few months and then fill them with epoxy filler and several coats of barrier paint.. but no guarantee they won't come back.. they probably will..

 

[A1957]

That’s what I feared. I think I’m going to part this one out.

 

[QBhoy]

Osmosis I’m afraid

 

[A1957]

Thanks. The hull is stripped and will head to the dump next week.
One less Century Cardel in the world.

 

[stresspoint]

osmosis is not the end of the world for a hull , usually its just in the gel coat.
it can be sanded back and painted or some brush on waxed gel coat depending on where it is , in your case some brushed gel coat will do just fine or just be left alone..

 

[flashback]

I've seen them the size of a quarter, you just have a case of acne mostly just cosmetic..

 

[QBhoy]

Thanks. The hull is stripped and will head to the dump next week.
One less Century Cardel in the world.

You can treat it. An Invasive thing to do, but possible if it’s not all over. But even if it is. You’ll find that many fresh water boats have this, if a certain vintage and especially if they’ve been left in the fresh water without being lifted out each year for too long.

 

[A1957]

I knew the boat was going to need stringers. It turned out it needs stringers AND a complete floor and floor grid (separate things on a Cardel).
I was willing to live with the upholstery for awhile even though it’s in need of replacement. The hull sides and deck have been painted before and not a very good job. The engine ran real good but the exhaust manifolds are probably ready for replacement.
Now I discover the bottom has literally thousands of little blisters. The only way to get them all would be to remove the gelcoat from the entire bottom.
I’m going to move on.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Welcome to every fiberglass boat older than 15 years

 

[A1957]

We have a 1989 Sanger 21 TX (bought new) and a 1990 Tiara 3600 Open (bought in 1997) and neither has a spot of osmosis. Neither have ever had any rot either. Both have original engines that have never been out. The Sanger has been on a Hydrohoist in a covered berth since new. The Tiara was in salt water until we bought it and has been berthed in fresh water covered berth since.
Properly maintained and pampered boats can last a long time without issues.