rwappleton
New Member
I am considering a 87 Sundancer 34. I have not lined up a surveyor yet but I was wondering are SeaRays prone to hull blisters? And anyone know of a good surveyor in NW GA?
Hull Blisters
- Thread starter rwappleton
- Start date
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
All fiberglass boats are prone to hull blisters, especially older boats made before vinylester resins were used in the gelcoat. Freshwater boats seem more prone to blisters than saltwater boats. But, blisters are not a terminal disease; they can be repaired. Even a bad case can be fixed and future blistering forestalled by barrier coating the hull..........the variable is how much it will cost to fix/save one. Have your surveyor present when the boat is hauled out for the survey and just see if you have any to deal with, get an estimate of the repairs and negotiate who pays the bill with the seller. If it is bad,, stop the survey and call your seller and stop the deal until he fixes the blisters.
In terms of perspective, I owned an '88 390EC for 10 years and only fixed 3 blisters in that time. My current boat was made with vinylester resin and, so far, I haven't had any blisters......its 15 years old.
In terms of perspective, I owned an '88 390EC for 10 years and only fixed 3 blisters in that time. My current boat was made with vinylester resin and, so far, I haven't had any blisters......its 15 years old.
searay40dad
Active Member
- Oct 23, 2006
- 1,161
- Boat Info
- 2001 480 Sedan Bridge w/ Novurania RIB
- Engines
- 660 hp CAT 3196's
We bought a '90 280 Sundancer new back in '91 and had it pulled 3 years later IIRC for a new bottom job. The bottom was ate up with 20-30 dime-sized blisters. Made me sick. Dealer and SR stepped up and made the repairs. I sold the boat a couple years later and it cleared the survey with flying colors. I give alot of credit to the barrier coat.
Surprise390
New Member
It has been my experience that most blisters show up the day after your boat is hauled, or even later. I used to get my boat hauled at Playboy Marine in Ft. Lauderdale and could usually expect to find a few after letting it dry for a couple of days. Good luck.
rwappleton
New Member
OK folks I have been out of the big boat (as opposed to small ship) world for over 10 years. So I have even more questions. First of all the reason I asked the question was that different mfgrs all used a little different stuff building their boats. I had a Hatteras and she never had any. One of my friends had a Carver and it was awful over 100!!! All dime to quarter size. Thanks for the info to let the boat sit for 24 hours an excellent idea.
Can the barrier coatings be applied by me?
Do you have to sand all previous paint back to the gell coat?
What is the approx cost per foot if done by a professional for the barrier coating?
How long will it last in salt water?
All of this makes the assumption that the blisters if any are already fixed and thanks so much!!!!!
Can the barrier coatings be applied by me?
Do you have to sand all previous paint back to the gell coat?
What is the approx cost per foot if done by a professional for the barrier coating?
How long will it last in salt water?
All of this makes the assumption that the blisters if any are already fixed and thanks so much!!!!!
