Here we go again

[onenyala]

I my boat was epoxy coated after being peeled down to the glass and dried for 5 months in 1991.
About 4 years ago blisters started re-appearing. The blisters smell of the characteristic vinegar of osmosis when broken. The boat was built in 1972 and is heavily laid up. Each year it comes out of the water and after seeing the blisters I go through the same thought process about spending about 30% of the value of the boat to have it peeled back, redried & reepoxied. So far I have done nothing.
I dont know of any boats falling apart with osmosis and being a bit oif a cynic wonder if in fact the whole osmosis business isn't largely a means of keeping surveyors, insurance companies and osmosis experts in business.
Does anybody know of boats falling apart with osmosis
Stuart Jones

 

[30boat]

I actualy once saw a Taiwan built boat ,in Hong Kong, with blisters that went all the way through the laminate,but I am sure that this is very rare.My own boat has just had its gelcoat ground off because of very high moisture readings only to reveal a very sound laminate that would go on for many years without problems.Where I to keep the boat I would probably tackle the individual blisters at every haul out until ( if ever ) the problem became serious enough to justify a complete osmosis job . I am only having it done in order to sell her. By the way my boat also had a osmosis repair 7 years ago.

Nuno Santiago

 

[johnt]

its probabaly pigmentd gelcoat that you have applied.

mines unpigmented and 25 yars old, the only probs I have are in the boottop which is pigmented!

 

[Guest]

Go and read all the info about this at www.yachtsurvey.com

I have read many different views about this subject but this web site makes perfect sense with hard evidence.

 

[onenyala]

Mike
Thanks for your reply. www.yachtsurvey.com has put my mind at rest! I have decided to wait until the blisters become about 4 inches in diameter at which time hopefully I will probably be navigating a zimmer frame!
Thanks again
Stuart Jones

 

[Guest]

It has to be remembered that many people were on the 'gravy-train' treating osmosis under poor conditions some years ago and only over time were they caught up with.
Also many so called DIY efforts were advertised by firms offering advise and service to owners who wanted to cut cost and do the re-coating etc. themselves.
As to loss of craft due to this problem .... I haven't come across any in my years of checking out boats.
As to keeping surveyors in work ..... as a Surveyor, I can honestly say that I am not an admirer of osmosis orientated brethren, nor do I wax lyrical about it as some do. I know about it, I diagnose it, I meter and check it out. But regard it with the respect and experience built up over years. NO I do not make a fortune out of it and prefer more traditional yachting aspects !!!!
If you are concerned about the blisters ..... grind out and fill, then later when you consider that it should be treated - get a reputable firm, recc'd by others - not some blurb they put under your nose ! to do the job properly. BUT remember that 5 years is the guarantee time nowadays ...... in fact in the time that you guys are quoting - you should be near enough still inside guarantee .......

 

[onenyala]

Nigel
Thanks for your reply. Point taken!
Stuart Jones

 

[Neal]

I would echo much of this........

some years ago I noticed tiny blisters on my Westerly Discus (since sold). Perhaps predictably, a Surveyor recommended urgent blast/ dry/ epoxy treatment, and his advice was enthusiastically endorsed by several boatyards in the SouthWest.

Now the surprising bit!

I spoke to the technical departments at International and Blakes. Both told me just to monitor the blisters, and that it would be a costly mistake to take drastic action too soon. The structural integrity of the boat was not threatened. They said there was a fair chance that the blistering would not become critcal for many years, if ever.

Just one boatyard gave the same advice. This was Lionel Bould of Rockrun at Plymouth Yacht Haven. He came to inspect the boat at no cost to me (none of the others even hinted that an inspection was needed), and he told that there was no problem. " Go and enjoy your boat," were his comforting words.

Guess which advice I took, and guess which yard I'll use in future if the need arises!

Incidentally, I saw the boat last Monday, and there has been absolutely no increase in the blistering, even though she's been kept afloat in her new ownership.

 

[onenyala]

Re: I would echo much of this........

Thanks for your information. The news gets better all of the time!
Stuart Jones