OSMOTIC(?) Blisters on hull of a 2007 215 Weekender

But, Josh, how does the bottom job, barrier coat or not, affect the blisters above the paint line? You are correct, however: "The exact answer could be determined with testing, but it’s irrelevant at this point." Exactly! Sea Ray isn't going to repair a 15 year old boat so the OP is on the hook for the cost of the repair and the methodology for the repair is the same except and blisters containing water must be ground open and allowed to completely dry before the blisters are filled.

That many little blisters on a concentrated area probably means trapped air in FRP below or near the gelcoat.

The "Why Now?" probably just means that the heat from the sun has caused the air in the voids to expand.


ALSO, for the OP, be sure you are wearing eye protection when you pop any blisters that you suspect main contain water (any below the paint line). The liquid in an osmotic blister is highly acidic so you don't want to accidentally spray it in your eyes.
 
"Why now"? Well, as mentioned above, I very much doubt you will find a specific/accurate answer. You can spend hours and hours and hours reserching and researching... and you will most likely STILL not come up with the actual answer. Sometimes, it is what it is.

Your boat uses a vinylester resin in the gelcoat that is (mostly) impervious to blistering (other than the ocassional one here or there). Many, many boats just like yours sit in the water for longer periods of time and never get blisters. So back to "Why yours"? The only real explanation is "something" happened with the initial layup (as mentioned) or damage somewhere that you haven't yet seen.

That chip we discussed could lead to wicking of moisture between the gelcoat and the glass, but I highly doubt it is the root cause of everything.

Do yourself a favor and don't spend your time researching the "why" - it'll be a rabbit hole, for sure.

One thing to add... What's your HIN? If memory serves, there were some years where your model was built in the Bucyrus plant and MAYBE that would help to partly explain it. I do remember seeing some quality issues coming out of those plants more often than other plants. But even that is not really a true "why".
 
NotHerDecision said:
You make me chuckle a little

it’s what we all says when x fails.

The exact answer could be determined with testing but it’s irrelevant at this point.

it could have been the glass got stressed at point “a” and it’s starting from there, it could be the water type and exposure, it could be... etc. hard to say really without looking very very closely at the boat. A surveyor or a good marine repair facility could probably tell yo after inspecting it. But I still go with make the repairs, epoxy the bottom and move on using your boat.

if I had to make one guess and it would be a guess it’s your bottom job didn’t have an epoxy barrier coat or the barrier coat it did have failed.
Click to expand...
I'm so glad that you are amused by this. Not withstanding, the Boat has been in the same conditions since it went into service in 2008. Same water, same area, same conditions. hard to believe, that whatever happened , because of poor Fiberglas condition or whatever just happened now.. Those same conditions existed prior to this year. As for the Blisters under the waterline, I can see some chipping in the bottom areas.. That is clearly apparent. As for above the water line, in the Gel coat, it doesn't make sense, for it to start now, given the boat has been in thesame conditions since it was first wetted down. Appreciate your candor, and responses. I know what is going to be involved in the repair process, not to mention the cost. Finding out the cause is my main concern at this point.
 
Lazy Daze said:
"Why now"? Well, as mentioned above, I very much doubt you will find a specific/accurate answer. You can spend hours and hours and hours reserching and researching... and you will most likely STILL not come up with the actual answer. Sometimes, it is what it is.

Your boat uses a vinylester resin in the gelcoat that is (mostly) impervious to blistering (other than the ocassional one here or there). Many, many boats just like yours sit in the water for longer periods of time and never get blisters. So back to "Why yours"? The only real explanation is "something" happened with the initial layup (as mentioned) or damage somewhere that you haven't yet seen.

That chip we discussed could lead to wicking of moisture between the gelcoat and the glass, but I highly doubt it is the root cause of everything.

Do yourself a favor and don't spend your time researching the "why" - it'll be a rabbit hole, for sure.

One thing to add... What's your HIN? If memory serves, there were some years where your model was built in the Bucyrus plant and MAYBE that would help to partly explain it. I do remember seeing some quality issues coming out of those plants more often than other plants. But even that is not really a true "why".
Click to expand...
So what was the issue with the Odd models that came out of Bucyrus? My boat was manufactured in Bucyrus... US-SERVB248D707
That rabbit hole that we all know and love, could be the difference of making a quality repair, and having stuff come back to haunt me. Everyone knows a "BOAT" is nothing more then a big box in the water that we throw money into.. I get that.... If a viable solution can be found for the cause, then making the repairs and going off into the sunset, would be the most palatable thing. I like to diagnose problems, and fix them correctly. Not put lipstick on a pig. Don't want to kick the can down the stream so to speak, and stick some one else. Not my style. ...... If the boat cannot be squared away, well then a decision has to be made..
 
It wasn't just "one thing" for those boats that came out of Bucyrus. It was just a higher incidence of QC issues. If you think about what Frank said in regards to proper layup, then this starts to make more sense. Bucyrus was the Baja plant - once Sea Ray acquired Baja, Sea Ray used that plant for some of their boats as well. I think it was just the 215 - maybe some 225 and 245 models. But I don't recall with 100% certainity if it was others.

I don't think anyone is suggesting skimping on repairs. Just that whatever the root cause is doesn't really matter since it will be fixed during the repair and the repair is the same regardless. The existing blisters will be repaired and any possible future ones are eliminated from happening due to the barrier coat.

It stinks that you have to deal with this, but take solice in knowing that it's completely fixable. And, for a shop that is experienced in fiberglass repair, it's a straight forward job for them.
 
Lazy Daze said:
It wasn't just "one thing" for those boats that came out of Bucyrus. It was just a higher incidence of QC issues. If you think about what Frank said in regards to proper layup, then this starts to make more sense.

I don't think anyone is suggesting skimping on repairs. Just that whatever the root cause is doesn't really matter since it will be fixed during the repair and the repair is the same regardless. The existing blisters will be repaired and any possible future ones are eliminated from happening due to the barrier coat.

It stinks that you have to deal with this, but take solace in knowing that it's completely fixable. And, for a shop that is experienced in fiberglass repair, it's a straight forward job for them.
Click to expand...
Yup, the whole thing is odd, considering the age of the boat, and when the occurrence happened.. The repairs will happen, as the boat still has some good value, and while this is mostly cosmetic, it shouldn't detract from it's usage. I still have that nagging feeling that something is going on, up at the bow, that causes the boat to sit "nose heavy" while docked. Appreciate all of the insight and information.. It is one of the reasons why I joined this site.. Knowledge is power... I will try and post the progress of this issue. Happy New Year to one and all.
 
fwebster said:
But, Josh, how does the bottom job, barrier coat or not, affect the blisters above the paint line? You are correct, however: "The exact answer could be determined with testing, but it’s irrelevant at this point." Exactly! Sea Ray isn't going to repair a 15 year old boat so the OP is on the hook for the cost of the repair and the methodology for the repair is the same except and blisters containing water must be ground open and allowed to completely dry before the blisters are filled.

That many little blisters on a concentrated area probably means trapped air in FRP below or near the gelcoat.

The "Why Now?" probably just means that the heat from the sun has caused the air in the voids to expand.


ALSO, for the OP, be sure you are wearing eye protection when you pop any blisters that you suspect main contain water (any below the paint line). The liquid in an osmotic blister is highly acidic so you don't want to accidentally spray it in your eyes.
Click to expand...


Frank:

I've seen this happen where the glass wasn't properly wetted below the water line and it wicked up above the water line and caused blisters. They could also be heat related. All in All I just say it won't really matter because the repair process is the same.
 
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