Osmosis gelcoat blisters

[dtc123]

Looking for some advice. I took my 2000 2100v Ltd out of the water on Sunday, and the starboard side below the water line is covered in osmosis gelcoat blisters (side only, not on the bottom). I have had the boat for 4 years and in the water for 4 months of the year without any issue. This year was the first.

I've talked to my mechanic, the marina I bought the boat from and a reputable fiberglass shop here in Ontario, and they all say the same thing "we don't even both fixing osmosis blisters anymore because we can't guarantee they won't come back". I did some digging around on the web and found that Ontario lakes are quite prone to the issue due to the warm and acidic waters. Additionally, I'm not sure its worth $7k to have the hull stripped and epoxied given the age and value of the boat.

My plan going forward is to make sure the hull gets a good paste wax every spring, and contemplating a lift (cost is the issue there). Taking the boat in and out every weekend isn't really an option given the distance to the launch and lack of a parking space for the boat and trailer.

Thoughts or recommendations?

osmosis 1.jpgosmosis 2.jpg

[Z1josh]

Well, its not just certain lakes that do it. Whenever you leave a boat in the water for extended periods of time you risk osmosis. When boats get older the gelcoat loses its ability to repell the water and eventually it penetrates thru, then it starts to spread like wildfire. Unfortunately it also takes a good chunk of resale value away and will turn away many potential buyers completely. The ONLY way to fix it is to fully strip the bottom of the boats gel and then Re-Gel it, but nothing will ever replace factory gel as its done in a mold and completely different than any after the factory repair. It will more than likely fail. Epoxy will blister in a week if left in the water!

I personally make it a habit to pull my boat out of the water once a month during the summer to let her dry out, I just bring her home, wash her down and let sit for a day or two then drop her back in! Also I NEVER use boat bottom hull cleaner! that crap has acids in it that will strip your gelcoats ability to repell. You'll find any boat that has been cleaned with that stuff will get the brown lake grime stuck to the bottom super fast compared to boats that have never had that stuff.

[skiguy]

Do all fiberglass boats have this problem? I see tons of really expensive ocean going vessels - fishing boats, cruisers etc. that are in the water 24x7x365. Are they all blistered below the waterline?


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[dtc123]

I’ve read up a lot and it happens to something like 1 in 4 boats. My boat has been on the driveway for a couple weeks. The blisters have come down a bit but aren’t going away. Damage is done, all I can do now is keep them from getting worse by using a lift.


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[bsreid]

Do all fiberglass boats have this problem? I see tons of really expensive ocean going vessels - fishing boats, cruisers etc. that are in the water 24x7x365. Are they all blistered below the waterline?


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A majority of the boats have bottom paint. also being in saltwater might be a little different.