Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

[TRDon]

My old boat was trailerd to the lake and wiped down after every use. Even so, the water on the bunk carpet caused the area that touched the bunks to blister slightly. I had that boat for 6 years and it was a 85 2001 with 800hours on it when I sold it. I now have a 93 sport that I am trying to be a little more proactive before the same thing happens.

Is there anything I can do to prevent blistering where the hull contacts the carpeted bunks?

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

TR, Unlike your 85, the 93 hull uses the AME 5000 resin that was developed to try and eliminate the blistering problem. Most boat manufacturers offer a 5 year warrantee on blistering so that's a good indicator that it won't happen for twice that time!! Blistering usually happens when the hull sits in the water for extended times but I've seen it just hanging above the water in a boat house (old polyester resin). I don't think you need to worry.

[skijones]

RE: Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

Had the same problem with my 85, but my 99 has had no problems, even with sitting in the water for 3-4 weeks at a time.

[SquamInboards]

RE: Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

Our boats haven't blistered being in the water for 7 months at a time... including the 89 supra, 98 super sport, and 89 2001. Luck of the draw? I don't know...

[Hollywood]

Re: RE: Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

Luck of the draw?

I defintely think so. So many of store our boats exactly the same way (how many ways are there really??? moor, lift, trailer, dry dock) yet one will get blisters and 50 won't. I think that first shot of gel in the mold has a lot to do with it.

[TRBenj]

Re: RE: Gelcoat blistering, any defense?

Luck of the draw?

I defintely think so. So many of store our boats exactly the same way (how many ways are there really??? moor, lift, trailer, dry dock) yet one will get blisters and 50 won't. I think that first shot of gel in the mold has a lot to do with it.

Its gotta be luck of the draw- my '71 Skier sat in the water all summer for nearly 30 years, and it doesnt have a blister on it. Our '92 sat in the water for just a summer or 2 before we got a lift, and that has a few blisters below the waterline. :???:

[east tx skier]

I have seen one instance of it on a newer MC solely from bunk carpet. I heard about it in one other instance from bunk carpet.

One thing to avoid. Do not put 303 on your bunk carpets as a lubricant. So many people use wax, myself included. Wax works fine, but often times, people will read that and think, hey, 303 ought to work well, too. Problem is, it has silicone in it, which is a bit more effective, apparently, at trapping water against the hull.

So that's one thing to consider.

Other than that, some people get them. Some don't.