blistering

[Flying_Maxum]

Finally got out to the lake yesterday(which means I got enough done off my honey-do list). Boat ran flawlessly, I could have stayed out all night. I was probably only in the water for about 4 hours. I noticed this morning some small blisters in the gel coat near the back. I have heard of this happening but not usually in trailered boats. Trying to do research on this is mind blowing. There are an unlimited amount of factors that could be causing this, anywhere from manufacturing defects to you name it. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out the best course of action. I guess I will have to have it looked at by a professional to determine, but has anybody else experienced this? This is a trailered vessel so I wouldn't think I need some kind of anti-fouling paint. :?:

[seapuppy]

blistering is common with fiberglassed boats...it occurs and the easiest thing to do is to pop the blister...and sand the area down...get a gel repair kit for about 12 - 15 bucks and you can match the color of the gel coat easily......after you apply the gel repair...sand it down smooth and you'll never know it was there...

[Flying_Maxum]

It is still hard for me to comprehend the seriousness of this. I have a lot of small pimple sized blisters, not just a few here and there. Some things I have read say it is no big deal, others make it sound like I have a serious issue.

[seapuppy]

nope..not a big deal...I got one this yr on near the bow rail....all of a sudden there was a hole there...so...when it stops raining....I have the kit on board and I'll sand it all out and re gel it back in.......I've done a couple of them all ready......really...not a big deal atal....

[Flying_Maxum]

This is more than just one blister, they cover nearly the bottom half of the transom and part of the bottom. sounds like a lot of work to do this, not to mention, how do you get to the part where the trailer bunks sit. A lot of small little blisters, I hope this isnt going to be expensive.

[seapuppy]

oh man....if it's that big..then there is 2 things you can do...1).jack the boat off the trailer and set it on stands.....then...get a grinder and grind the blisters off.....all it is, is surface blisters.....get a sprayer and then get the gelcoat by about a half gallon...prep it according to the instructions on the can and apply it to the hull...basically spray it on....let set completely and then sand it smooth using repeatly finer sand paper....then finally to a wet sand and polishing...it will look like new...
the 2nd way is to pay a boat fiberglass guy to do it..probably cost you about 3-400 bucks if it's just the transom area....good luck....let us know what happens...

[Flying_Maxum]

Thanks for all your advice. Much appreciated.