Getting a new bottom

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 11:38 am

Well, after owning our 298 for a bit over a year (it was due when we bought it), its time to get the bottom done. Sadly, the people that did the bottom job for the previous owners did a REAL crappy job addressing blisters etc. We are getting it done right this time and letting it sit out to dry. The boat has been out of the water since Sunday night and is still dripping in a couple of places due to water intrusion. Thankfully, there is no REAL damage and nothing that cant be properly taken care of right now. She should be back in the water by the end of next week as I told them not to rush and make sure its done properly and well cured.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Hope she is ready on time.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:11 pm

Where you able to tell anything before they started to sand? Were the blisters visable through the paint?

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:21 pm

They have some pictures and yes, there were some visible before they sanded it off.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:46 pm

Isn't there supposed to be a gap left around the drives? I didn't think you are supposed to bottom paint right up to the drive?

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:56 pm

Sounds good. I'm looking at a lot of bottom painted boats and this is a scary thought.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:04 pm

Think how bad it would be WITHOUT bottom paint. In all my years I have never seen blister damage that extensive on a bottom painted boat. Those blisters are very large and quite deep. Even black crayon should have protected better than that paint job did. Something is not right with the way that boat started it's life in the water.

I'm glad you got it pulled and are getting it fixed now.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:47 pm

I have slowly started to discover that the previous owner had the best intentions with car and service of the boat. He has PLENTY of service receipts from his marina service department. The bad thing is that I think he THOUGHT he was getting good workmanship, but this is further evidence that it may not be the case. None the less....its being done and its being done the right way. There are spots that actually "appear" to have car type bondo in them....

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:12 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Think how bad it would be WITHOUT bottom paint. In all my years I have never seen blister damage that extensive on a bottom painted boat. Those blisters are very large and quite deep. Even black crayon should have protected better than that paint job did. Something is not right with the way that boat started it's life in the water.

I'm glad you got it pulled and are getting it fixed now.

My neighbor's Regal did the same thing. Blistered right up. The gelcoat guy must have had a bad day..

StirCrazy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:22 pm

Sorry to hear that. Exact same thing I did on my 298 this winter. Just as many bad, ugly blisters as you show.

I was in a heated storage building where they dried out the bottom below 12% (fans, heat lamps, dehumidifiers). Repaired the blisters and voids. Put on 5 coats of Intetprotect 2000E barrier coat (10 mils). Applied 3 coats of Micron CSC.

With my luck, I'll probably have the same d^mn issues next year!

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:42 pm

Thats a lot of blisters from the pics. GOOD LUCK with it!

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

Where is the water getting in to cause so many blisters? :shock:

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:34 pm

blue dragon wrote:

Where is the water getting in to cause so many blisters? :shock:

The Lake.

Blisters are common for ANY fiberglass boat that stays in the water. Its basically water intrusion into the fiberglass. The key is to control it and keep it maintained to prevent any rot or deterioration. If left undetected, its like Cancer...it will kill the boat from the inside out.

SoonerBoater · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:12 pm

Wow, that's a shock to me. I've swam around that boat many a time touching most of the surface alongside with no evidence of blisters. I can't speak to the bottom, but the side had zero visible blisters. I was never approached by my marina service folks for any blister repairs, so I doubt that they did any. Bottom blisters would have had to have been addressed by the prior folks. When I bought this boat my surveyor and I paid particular attention to whether or not there was evidence of blistering because the boat I almost bought was a Rinker that turned out to have hundreds of blisters. So a hand inspection of the bottom turned up no visible evidence of blisters. The hull moistier readings were in normal ranges as well.

To date I've no real evidence that my marina mechanics have not done their jobs. The owner is highly respected around here and I can't find anyone with any real issues with their work. Occasionally one of his mechanics bungles something, but that guy does not stay around long. There is a waiting list for their services.

I hate to see our old boat in that shape! It does hurt. Sorry you are having to deal with that. It was a shock to read the post.

BoaterDan278 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:44 pm

Did your boat have an epoxy barrier coat?

www.iFourWinns.com

Getting a new bottom

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