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  Hull 'blisters' below waterline.

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This topic was originally posted in this forum: CL User Forum
Author Topic:   Hull 'blisters' below waterline.
Pounsett
JuniorMember 		posted September 02, 2002 11:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pounsett     
My CL16 #778 has been dry-sailed all its history except for this past summer when moored in Lake of Bays. I have just recently noticed the appearance of slightly larger than pinhead sized bumps in clusters on the wetted hull surface. They appear to be under the surface of the gelcoat (i.e. not something to be scraped off).
I can only guess the condition has something to do with being in the water for a couple of months.
Any ideas what is going on and how to correct the situation? I would like to continue to moor my CL16 for future summers at the lake (where the shoreline makes dry-sailing a non-starter).

Celtic Kiss
unregistered 		posted September 03, 2002 11:56 AM           
Pounsett;

I'm not an expert in this field but I would surmise your boat is falling victim to a phenomenon known as "micro-ballooning" I watched a video on this once and if I recall correctly the remedy is to gently scrape out the infected fibreglass and fill the cavities with resin. I will give you a link for the West System Fibreglass Company. They have step-by-step videos and written publications that I'm sure you will find very helpful.
http://www.westsystem.com/


Robert
Celtic Kiss #2120

Tom D CL16
Member 		posted September 07, 2002 04:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom D CL16   Click Here to Email Tom D CL16     
My old boat had the blisters generally over the entire hull near and below the waterline.
I read West Systems manual. Boought their epoxy. First step was to turn the boat, over I used a bunch of grandsons. I scrubbed the hull, cleaned it with acetone, any powerfull solvent will do (to remove any wax etc.) I sanded the blisters off. I thickened some epoxy and filled all the scratches and gouges. Sanded the mess and coated the entire hull with epoxy. I then painted it with interlux 1 part poly paint.
Looks great and no scratches, gouges or blisters.
Tom D

Tom D CL16
Member 		posted September 08, 2002 05:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom D CL16   Click Here to Email Tom D CL16     
If the blisters are small and few. Try sanding and check to ensure that they are only surface blisters. Is so then only painting is required.
NOTE use a solvent to remove all wax befor trying to paint. Also lightly sand after the solvent wash the entire hull where you are going to paint.
This is a lot easier than what I did.
Tom D.

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