Small blisters on hull...

[jj3436]

Hi

I have just bought a rib Chinook 5m - on close inspection of the hull (yes should had done this before buying) there seem to be small bubbles...... is this serious? The boat will be kept out of water...

[Poly]

Have you got a picture?

[JSP]

Are any of the bubbles burst? If they are, get your nose in there and see if it has a sweet smell to them.

[jj3436]

i've popped a couple but they're dry.... the boat as been out the water for a while....

Will it make the boat unsafe?

[chewy]

Osmosis, wouldn't worry about it if its kept out the water.

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by jj3436

i've popped a couple but they're dry.... the boat as been out the water for a while....

Will it make the boat unsafe?

The boat is fine...cosmetic problem only and will perhaps affect resale value...unless you can hoodwink them like you were!

Don't worry about them.

PS I used to own a 40ft diesel trawler, had blisters when I bought it and blisters when I sold it...didn't cost me a dime.

[chewy]

If it is osmosis then its undesirable but like I said it'd be fine. Give the hull a really good pressure wash and leave it on the trailer to dry out.
If you wanted you could get a marine surveyor to check moisture levels for your own peace of mind.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by chewy

Osmosis, wouldn't worry about it if its kept out the water.

You sure? Osmosis bubbles aren't usually dry inside are they?

[chewy]

Just re-read it. Seems strange them been dry. Has it be antifould at all, any repairs? Photos would help.

[Searider]

Depends what they are - described as "Bubbles" - could be voids in the gelcoat that have opened up over time.

What diameter are they?

Do they bulge - ie are they "blisters" rather than "bubbles".

If the boat is going to be kept on a trailer any Osmosis won't get worse.

In time some osmotic blisters can dry out and shrink back - this may be why you've got dry blisters. Once back afloat they can reappear and become wet again.

I wouldn't worry too much - if you didn't spot them when you bought the boat i'm guessing they're pretty small and a cosmetic issue only.

Regards


Duncan

[biffer]

voids in gellcoat doesn't usually bubble up, you don't find them till you hit them, it's osmosis, don't worry about them

[Poly]

Originally Posted by biffer

voids in gellcoat doesn't usually bubble up, you don't find them till you hit them, it's osmosis, don't worry about them

wow - osmosis diagnosis without ever seeing it or having a detailed description of the problem... ...makes you wonder why people fork out for surveyors fees.

[biffer]

i've been doing grp for as long as you've been torkin bollox

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Polwart

wow - osmosis diagnosis without ever seeing it or having a detailed description of the problem... ...makes you wonder why people fork out for surveyors fees.

Quite right - he may well have a dose of the pox!!!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by biffer

i've been doing grp for as long as you've been torkin bollox

and that helps you (and all the others on here who categorically diagnosed it as osmosis without seeing any pictures, detail) to have some sort of telepathic power - or did you just assume that because the non-expert used the word that those in the industry use to describe the symptoms of osmosis - that he must be describing exactly the same phenomenon.

It may be osmotic blisters.
It may be gel coat bubbles.
It may be flakey antifouling.

Or quite possible any number of other problems that an expert like yourself might be able to help him fix, but a non-expert might describe as a "blister".

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Polwart

and that helps you (and all the others on here who categorically diagnosed it as osmosis without seeing any pictures, detail) to have some sort of telepathic power - or did you just assume that because the non-expert used the word that those in the industry use to describe the symptoms of osmosis - that he must be describing exactly the same phenomenon.

It may be osmotic blisters.
It may be gel coat bubbles.
It may be flakey antifouling.

Or quite possible any number of other problems that an expert like yourself might be able to help him fix, but a non-expert might describe as a "blister".

gell coat doesn't bubble without something underneath pushing it up (osmosis) and flakey antifoul is exactly that, flakey, no bubbles, his own words were bubbles that are dry inside, not antifoul, so i stand by what i said, i do know what i'm talking about and i've told him, nothing to worry about and no i don't want to help him fix it because it's isn't that serious on a boat that size that isn't in the water for any length of time, there isn't much else it can be, so i'm not being smart or reading minds i'm applying what i know and i know one other thing, you can be a right knob sometimes

[Poly]

Originally Posted by biffer

gell coat doesn't bubble without something underneath pushing it up (osmosis) and flakey antifoul is exactly that, flakey, no bubbles, his own words were bubbles that are dry inside, not antifoul, so i stand by what i said, i do know what i'm talking about and i've told him, nothing to worry about and no i don't want to help him fix it because it's isn't that serious on a boat that size that isn't in the water for any length of time, there isn't much else it can be, so i'm not being smart or reading minds i'm applying what i know and i know one other thing, you can be a right knob sometimes

Biffer - not doubting your expertise, or trying to start an argument - but was trying to point out that a "laymans" description of blister may not be what springs to mind when you hear it - especially since they are also described as bubbles and are apparently dry inside. And of course the fact that osmosis is rare on ribs compared to yachts as they tend to spend less of their life continually immersed.

I've certainly seen other faults on the finish of boats which I could imagine being loosely described as blisters by someone who was new to boats and didn't know the alarm bells it would ring. But lets not get into a tit for tat argument.

[biffer]

dealt with laymen for over 35 years in various ways, what he describes as blisters are the same as the trade describe them, the only other thing it could be is contamination between the two gell coats or if the gell was left in the mould without mat being layed for sometime, but i've never seen it as small blisters or bubbles usually bigger sections and confined to one area, if the boats not been in the water for a long time they will be dry,there shouldn't be any alarm bells ringing as what we've told him is almost surely true, but i'll have a deal with you, if you want to pay for his survey, if they find it to be different to what i've told him i'll repair for nothing

[Poly]

Originally Posted by biffer

dealt with laymen for over 35 years in various ways, what he describes as blisters are the same as the trade describe them

theres no point arguing with you - but since you haven't seen them you have no idea what he is describing as blisters... you only know what you think he is describing

i'll have a deal with you, if you want to pay for his survey, if they find it to be different to what i've told him i'll repair for nothing

no - I just want him to post some photos so people can confirm that they appear to be osmotic blisters.

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by Polwart

theres no point arguing with you - but since you haven't seen them you have no idea what he is describing as blisters... you only know what you think he is describingno - I just want him to post some photos so people can confirm that they appear to be osmotic blisters.

No, there's no point arguing with you. He's right. It ain't chicken pox, it's on a frp boat!