Slight Gel Coat bubbling

[forrestmichael]

Hi, the survey when I purchased my Contessa 26 stated that the Gel Coat showed small signs of bubbling and an indication of Osmosis but the hull would last many years before needing any repair work etc.

I understand that on a boat 30+ years old this level of Osmosis is to be expected, also, as I got the boat at a good price this didn't concern me too much.

My main concern is what to do about it? It's certainly not worth paying the experts to Epoxy Coat the hull but should I strip the hull and provide a full protective treatment as per this months PBO edition or can I just treat the blistering areas and apply a new gel coat to those areas with new antifouling.

I know its a small cheapish boat but i'd like to think it would last me at least the next 10+ years should I wish to keep it, it's my first boat and I do love it!

Thanks for any advice, I hope I can contribute to repies in the future

Mike

 

[Lakesailor]

The Search facility on the forums has been neutered by recent changes, but the general consensus seems to be that you are wisely adopting a wait-and-see attitude.
Opinions range from just leaving it and antifouling over it, to digging out the bigger blisters and epoxy filling them each year. That would need you to be out of the water for a good 2 or 3 months to let the lay-up dry out before filling.
I've had three 1980s boats in the past few year and two of them had some mild blistering. I've just scraped and re-antifouled an early '80s Prelude for someone and that had a coating of tiny blisters. These were obvious as the last layer of antifoul was scraped off.

At these ages and values it seems foolish to go for a full treatment, unless you are hoping to keep up the value for resale.

Stick in in the water and enjoy.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Michael, and welcome aboard the YBW forums.

Hey, it's taken 30+ years to produce tiny blisters so do nothing other than monitor at this stage.

When you have some 10p size blisters drop us a line and some pictures so the collective knowledge on the forum can be put to good use.

Meantime, get out there and enjoy your sailing.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[holly1]

My boat has tiny blisters, at first i was worried to,everyone said dont worry including my surveyor