Bottom Blisters

[Mark Sutherland]

My diver informed me on my last dive report that I have "...about 20 dime size blisters", and that my paint condition is "Good: 70-85% Anti-Fouling".  My question is, should I be concerned about the blisters NOW, or should I wait until the diver tells me that I need new bottom paint?  Thanks.

[Kevin Henderson]

Hi Mark,

I'm not the most informative person in this forum and and I may be over-ruled but here's my 2 cents.
When I had my boat hauled out for survey, the Surveyor also noted that I had several dime sized blisters.  He essentially told me that it was nothing to get too worked up over, and that I would likely get several months out of the bottom before I had to address the blisters.  (During my haulout for bottom paint).  
Things were taken care of with the bottom job and if you trust your diver.  (and one should always trust their diver)  wait for the word from him that your bottom is in need of a paint job.
Short answer... I wouldn't sweat it just yet.

[Stu Jackson]

I agree with Kevin.

We have the same thing and my yard manager said: "If you're concerned about it, wait til just before you sell the boat."

Captain Al Watson (#55), years ago, reported he just drilled them out, applied some acetone, and then filled them in.  Not a structural matter.

[Jeff Tancock]

When I bought our C34 15 years ago the survey described "50-100 blisters, the largest the size of a dime". I panicked and phoned many experts. Repair estimates topped out at $15,000. I did nothing about it as all said it wasn't a structural problem, only cosmetic. Since that time I have never seen more than two or three little pimples show up when I am sanding the bottom to prepare for a new coat of ablative. They have not progressed, in fact I believe that they have diminished and I sometimes wonder if they were just the result of a poor bottom paint job by the previous owner rather than a real gelcoat issue. Relax and have a close inspection during your next haul out before you do anything over the top.

[Les Luzar]

Mark,
I agree with everyone else. Just wait until you need a bottom job. At that time you can assess the situation and determine how to proceed. There is no reason to pull the boat out of the water prematurely. Even after you repair these small blisters, there is no guarantee that you will not experience more in the future as well. So don't sweat it for now....