Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 14-09-2023, 16:46   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 1
Blisters again

1980s LHB 44 2023 survey revealed 500+ blisters after a previous blister job in 2015 (best guess). Some blisters size of palm and larger. See pics.
Hull solid otherwise. Salvageable? and @ what costs? Overall project boat @ best.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	C0E6AAFB-40F0-45F5-9154-AFFD979CE003.jpg
Views:	103
Size:	309.3 KB
ID:	281012   Click image for larger version

Name:	D7703BE1-0280-4886-95F6-D72141891035.jpg
Views:	95
Size:	258.9 KB
ID:	281013  

Click image for larger version

Name:	819F6A89-6711-466B-9EA8-911A5B905DCF.jpg
Views:	108
Size:	400.4 KB
ID:	281014   Click image for larger version

Name:	6E6B4E68-A94E-47C7-897F-637EC11CEFE3.jpg
Views:	118
Size:	431.1 KB
ID:	281015  

Pbologna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-09-2023, 15:26   #2
Registered User
 
Fore and Aft's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gympie
Boat: Volkscruiser
Posts: 2,813
Re: Blisters again

Pbologna I think your at the stage where you need a full peel back to good fibreglass. Whichever way you go DIY or paying for it the cost is going to add up.
I have observed a guy over a few months do a good osmosis repair. He purchased a no name brand electric planer, peeled the hull himself, grinding the areas he couldn't reach. Once the hull was dry he paid the boatbuilders to lay some new fibreglass on the bottom. Then he took over the fairing painting etc. Saved a few bucks and ended up with a professional job.
Cheers
Fore and Aft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-09-2023, 18:43   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Southport CT
Boat: Sabre 402
Posts: 2,817
Re: Blisters again

What is an LHB 44?
LHB is the HIN number code for Hinckley, which seems unlikely in this case.
psk125 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-09-2023, 19:48   #4
Marine Service Provider
 
boatpoker's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,301
Re: Blisters again

I suspect its likely that you have hydrolysis deep into the the laminate.
If you peel right down to good glass there won't be much left.

Depending on climate. It could take up to a year for it to dry out enough for new epoxy/glass to bond properly. I've seen this done with up to 10 new layers of glass.

I once refused to survey a vessel I had known to have this done 3 times already.

If you start this job I see only two possible outcomes.

1. You spend a fortune and in a a year or so it might be ok. You'll spend the rest of your life waiting for it to come back.

2. You spend a smaller fortune and eventually give up and abandon her.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
boatpoker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-09-2023, 13:22   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: PNW
Boat: 35 Ft. cutter, custom
Posts: 2,563
Re: Blisters again

Quote:
Originally Posted by boatpoker View Post
Depending on climate. It could take up to a year for it to dry out enough for new epoxy/glass to bond properly.
About 20 years ago a fellow I knew did that with his boat, a 30-footer.
It was built in the '60s and the hull was quite thick.
He, because of business connections, was able to use some space in a building free of charge.
The gelcoat was removed from the waterline down and then a "tent" was hung from the waterline down to almost the floor.
They set-up fans and some heaters under the boat and let it sit for almost a year.
Over that period of time, it was figured that many gallons of water came out of the laminate.
Epoxy and barrier coats were then applied, and all still seems to be ok.
__________________
Beginning to Prepare to Commence
Bowdrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-09-2023, 14:27   #6
Registered User
 
Franziska's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Panschwitz, Germany
Boat: Woods Mira 35 Catamaran
Posts: 4,415
Re: Blisters again

To speed up things, you can peel her wash though with freshwater. Let dry and then vaccum bag the underwater for several weeks to extract moisture.
Helps if it's warm, too.
Vacuum pumps are not very expensive.
__________________
www.ladyrover.com
Franziska is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-09-2023, 19:15   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Back in Montt.
Boat: Westerly Sealord
Posts: 8,241
Re: Blisters again

No sign of the OP so I am having to guess that the boat is a Little Harbour 44 which seems to be a boat that - in good condition - has some value.
I'm also guessing that the previous 'treatment' was a 'grind and bog' affair.

My experience. Blisters not quite as bad as shown but bad enough. Yacht value in good condition maybe $120K australian. Cost of a proper job 9 years ago $30K New Zealand.
Professionally stripped , HotVac dried out, and then Vinyl Ester.

IMO well worth the money. YMMV

First pic is boat next to mine.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1789.jpeg
Views:	58
Size:	74.8 KB
ID:	281102   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1820.jpeg
Views:	74
Size:	80.9 KB
ID:	281103  

Click image for larger version

Name:	P1190555.jpg
Views:	55
Size:	399.4 KB
ID:	281104   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1830.jpeg
Views:	56
Size:	73.2 KB
ID:	281105  

__________________
A little bit about Chile can be found here https://www.docdroid.net/bO63FbL/202...anchorages-pdf
El Pinguino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-09-2023, 08:38   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 90
Re: Blisters again

I would buy a peeler, make DIY hotvac, buy a warm pressure washer and a moisture meter, Peel gel coat, wash daily with warm water AM and PM. Measure humidity weekly until it starts to come down, then epoxy barrier coat. It will be like new
alamoana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-09-2023, 14:12   #9
Registered User
 
rognvald's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Now based on Florida's West coast
Boat: Pearson 34-II
Posts: 2,673
Images: 7
Re: Blisters again

It depends on how much time you're willing to commit to the project and how soon you would like to sail. So, there's no quick fix so forget about that based on your pix. However, if the boat has real value and you're willing to wait, you can get what you want. Here's a DIY alternative:
1.) sand/soda blast all gelcoat from the bottom
2.) powerwash the bottom once a week with fresh water for a minimum of 6
months. One year would be optimum.
3.) after the boat is fully dried/washed, fair any obvious voids, then fair bottom
4.) apply your choice of barrier coat(West/Petit,Interlux/Seahawk) and after a week
apply bottom paint
However, one caveat: if you're in the Tropics/S. Fla. finish your fairing/bottom coat and bottom after Summer when humidity levels are the lowest.
So, nothing is ever 100%, but unless you want to hire the pros with the same chance of success/failure and serious costs, you should get good results. And, if you're outfitting the boat, you can concentrate on other projects while it's drying out. Good luck. Rognvald
__________________
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathrustra
rognvald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27-09-2023, 15:44   #10
Marine Service Provider
 
boatpoker's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,301
Re: Blisters again

Quote:
Originally Posted by rognvald View Post
It depends on how much time you're willing to commit to the project and how soon you would like to sail. So, there's no quick fix so forget about that based on your pix. However, if the boat has real value and you're willing to wait, you can get what you want. Here's a DIY alternative:
1.) sand/soda blast all gelcoat from the bottom
2.) powerwash the bottom once a week with fresh water for a minimum of 6
months. One year would be optimum.
3.) after the boat is fully dried/washed, fair any obvious voids, then fair bottom
4.) apply your choice of barrier coat(West/Petit,Interlux/Seahawk) and after a week
apply bottom paint
However, one caveat: if you're in the Tropics/S. Fla. finish your fairing/bottom coat and bottom after Summer when humidity levels are the lowest.
So, nothing is ever 100%, but unless you want to hire the pros with the same chance of success/failure and serious costs, you should get good results. And, if you're outfitting the boat, you can concentrate on other projects while it's drying out. Good luck. Rognvald
Harsh ... but true.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
boatpoker is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
blisters


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Frigoboat troubles,again and again... kamikater Plumbing Systems and Fixtures 11 25-12-2019 05:19
Blisters, again a64pilot Construction, Maintenance & Refit 39 13-03-2014 07:31
Epoxy barrier coat and blisters StoutWench Construction, Maintenance & Refit 10 02-08-2005 20:28
Blisters or Flooding? Which would you choose?? ssullivan General Sailing Forum 30 22-06-2005 01:36
BLISTERS - Causes, Types, & Prevention GordMay Construction, Maintenance & Refit 0 31-05-2004 08:49

Advertise Here
  Vendor Spotlight
No Threads to Display.


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 00:33.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.