Blisters

[jamesd]

I am considering the purchase of a 1985 sailboat which has been stored in the water 24/7 since new. My concern is that the vessel has not had a bottom job in the past 5 (five) years. The hull has been cleaned by hand by a service. My concern is even if the hull does not show blisters now, is the damaging process already begun.

[WillJacocks]

Osmotic blisters are more a cosmetic affect than a structural issue. But leave them long enough it can affect the structural layers. Go to the West Marine sight and look up the West System Epoxy instructions.

[buchananD]

The 80's wasn't the best time in terms of build quality in some yards in some countries - but if she been in the water 24/7 since 1985 and there's no blisters the chances of there being osmosis are somewhat reduced (would expect to have shown up by now). Get it inspected but at that age and history of being in the water that length of time don't be surprised if moisture meter readings are high to very high - moisture does not always equal osmosis!

[zeehag]

blistering is overrated unless structural. speak with the diver and see what that individual says about bottom condition. prolly is ok. what make boat?

[captain58sailin]

Haul the boat, leave it on the travel lift and if you have a blister problem it will show up within the first 2 hours after being hauled, after that they will subside and be hard to find.

[zeehag]

blisters do not disappear in 2 hours..LOL...i had blisters on my islander-- took a month to dry and they were still there--if there is a 2 hour disappearance, you are in a magic book,or on LSD. dont listen to mythology. magically appearing and disappearing blisters is mythology.

[captain58sailin]

Okay, I learned something today, thank you. I was only speaking from personal experience. Maybe I have magic blisters. That was one case I had experience with.

[minaret]

You MUST have magic blister's, cause after twenty years working in boatyards I've never seen a blister disappear on it's own. Even after you stab them to pop them and smell the goo and they have drained, they maintain their shape. If you can figure out how yours disappeared and then market the technique, please cut me in on the deal, we'll make millions! I can see it now, MAGIC BLISTER REMOVAL, just wave wand and done!

[buchananD]

blisters can become less prominent if allowed to dry however they will always reappear when the boat is put back in the water unless properly treated. Blisters will not dry out in 2hrs indeed surveyors doing an osmosis check actually prefer the boat to have been out and drying ashore for 2 weeks prior to survey. Back to the original post and my response - on a boat of this age and history of being in the water 24/7 the fact there are no blisters is a pretty good sign.

[senormechanico]

My boat has a few blisters and I've seen them come and go as well.
One year I paint, see them, next year, they're absolutely not there.
Next year for painting, they're BAAACK !

Weird.

(Boat's kept in the water)

[buchananD]

Originally Posted by buchananD

OSMOTIC blisters can become less prominent if allowed to dry however they will always reappear when the boat is put back in the water unless properly treated. Blisters will not dry out in 2hrs indeed surveyors doing an osmosis check actually prefer the boat to have been out and drying ashore for 2 weeks prior to survey. Back to the original post and my response - on a boat of this age and history of being in the water 24/7 the fact there are no blisters is a pretty good sign.

Quite possible for non-osmotic blisters to come and go, they are probably paint blemishes.

[buchananD]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

My boat has a few blisters and I've seen them come and go as well.
One year I paint, see them, next year, they're absolutely not there.
Next year for painting, they're BAAACK !

Weird.

(Boat's kept in the water)

A paint defect - most likely!

[Cheechako]

If the boat doesnt have blisters now, it's a good boat! In my experience, Boats with blister issues seem to have them pop out even if they've had bottom paint etc. every couple of years. On the other hand , when you haul the boat for inspection (you must!) if it's loaded with blisters, walk away. If it has just a few small ones , no big deal. I had a boat once that had such a wet hull, that it was blistering in most of the bilge area as well as the outside!