Need some advice regarding "boat pox"

[lexilee]

I recently had my 1978 Cal 2-27 hauled out to clean and repaint the bottom. When i started sanding down the paint i noticed some small blisters on the bow and a few along the water line. The further down i sanded the more blisters there were and when i got to the keel i found a couple much more serious blisters. I was advised by some folks at the marina to open these blisters to allow the hull to dry out. It's been about 3 months and i feel confident at this point the hull is dry and ready for repair, I am mainly looking for advice as to what products to use (west system?) any and all knowledge you can share on this subject in general would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[fkittson]

It sounds like osmosis. If it is the proper repair is to peel the bottom to remove offending material let dry for about six months. ( A MOISTURE METER WILL TELL YOU WHEN IT DONE) then re glass at least three layers of mat berrior coat 5 to 7 coats then your choose of bottom paint. You can shorten the dry time with hot vac system

[timtim]

I bought my S2 8.0 back in Nov. She has the pox also. Not sure what you paid for your sailboat, but I gave 1k for her. She is only worth about 6k at best in nice condition. I chose to sand, grind out pox fill with West system,
barrier coat bottom and bottom paint. Then it's splash time and have fun.
Everything else on her is in nice shape.
A peel would be a better way to go, but costly. I see to many with blisters and they could just come back after a peel job.
Enjoy her and save the big bucks for the next larger girl

[sailvayu]

I agree with timtim Just not worth putting too much into it. open fill and go sailing. A barrier coat would be nice if does not get too involved.

[boatpoker]

Sand or grind open the blisters, Give them a really good rinse with fresh water as any hydrolytic fluids present are water soluble. Tape some clear plastic over the worst blisters and check the next day. If there is water on the inside of the plastic, she is not ready for filler. Leave her be until there is no water showing on the inside of the plastic before filling. Putting a barier coat on an older boat often causes more problems as it traps any existing moisture which then blows off the barrier coat.

[lexilee]

thanks yall, thats what i figured, just grind out the larger blisters and countersink then fill. mostly i am looking for opinions and experiences with various products. is west system the best?

[lexilee]

hey boatpoker, if the hull has no signs of moisture i should barrier coat, yes?

[daddle]

You say "small"? Is that the size of a small pizza, or small coins (30mm)? If you have a few hundred shallow (3mm) coin-sized blisters I would grind them out, rinse, and dry a few days. Fill and fair with epoxy. It's no big deal. Go sailing. Repeat each haulout.

[timtim]

Boatpoker, what do you suggest I coat with before bottom paint. I look to sail her for a few years before stepping up to a 30 footer. This is my first sailboat and feels like a good size for now. Lexilee and I need look to have the same issues. I think my blisters are the result of a few things. PO left her in the water for three years with out pull outs and taking care of her. Also was built with chop glass for outer layer.

[sailvayu]

I use adtech #17 for a filler Adtech #17

For barrier coat I use Interlux interprotect 3000

[boatpoker]

I have used no name epoxy from a warehouse outlet for years without a problem. You can prime it with a two part primer before painting but if you apply the bottom paint when the epoxy is still slightly tacky she'll stick.
I advise against barrier coats on older boats for the reason stated in my previous post

[lexilee]

the tiny pox are not really the worrisome part, its the 5 or 6 mason jar lid sized blisters in the hull, i think after grinding them properly they will be a bit bigger too so i think they are going to take some fiber cloth, i was told that the 3M cloth and resin at home depot is a TERRIBLE idea...

[Cheechako]

In a nutshell....If they are dry enough, fill them in and sand smooth. Remove all the old paint and roll on a coat of genuine epoxy resin. (West etc) This resin must be sanded prior to painting or you muxt paint with compatible bottom paint before it is fully blushed out (still slightly tacky)