Gel coat cracks

ryza00 · 18 April 2010, 19:26

Hello,

I have attached a few pictures of our rib hull. As you can see from the first picture the hull is covered in small blisters and from pictures 2 and 3 you can see there is some fine cracks that we have discovered as well.

I have read on other posts that blisters on the hull suggests Osmosis but how serious is this?

Similarly is the cracks in the gel coat serious and are they related?

marksails · 18 April 2010, 20:41

it's osmosis:

http://www.nautica.it/info/maint/osmosi_e.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis

this is not good

C-NUMB · 18 April 2010, 20:59

Looking like osmosis, but is not there also a phenomen called "solvent blister"? That has something to do with the hardener content of the polyester resin or gelcoat/paint. So it is kind of a laminating job quality issue. The fine cracks does not look like osmosis related. Guess moister content need to be checked and blisters opened before the right diagnosis(and cure plan) can be made. Is this boat 7/24 in water or mainly on trailer?

Downhilldai · 18 April 2010, 21:50

What boat is it and what age?

Downhilldai · 19 April 2010, 12:00

Is this the Northcraft RIB, featured in your other thread about the toob repair?

ryza00 · 19 April 2010, 12:07

Yes its the very same one!

Its our diving club rib and it has suffered from a bit of neglect down the years. I believe she is around 15-18 years old currently we keep it in the trailor park at largs marina and launch and recover it when we use it.

I believe in the past it used to sit in the water full time during the summer months at Kip marina but thats before my time. Thats prob why the tubes are covered in gunk on the underside.