small blisters

[jharrison]

I have what i think are small blisters on the bottom of my boat. They are no larger than the size of pencil eraser tip. Should I spend the time and effort worrying about them, or are they mainly cosmetic at this point?

[JEFryar]

As with the other questions concerning blistering, this may indicate a very serious problem that will only get worse.
Depending on the age , water temperature and construction of your vessel, water by capillary action, inters through the gelcoat and spreads into the fibers of the glass. It forms a caustic acid and eventually will weaken the structure. You will need to investigate the situation.
Remedies may be as simple as opening each blister and fill with a ferring compound. or as complicaterd as having the entire affected hull power planed and barrier coated and gel reapplied.
My advice is to repair it sooner than later.
Good luck JEF

[tappers]

If you''ve got a lot of them, like a rash, you should deal with them. This would probably mean having the gelcoat taken off, leaving the hull to dry out then having a new gelcoat applied.

Don Casey''s book Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair would help you with diagnosis and give you a better idea of possible remdies.

Good luck!

Phil