Blisters in gelcoat

[angler53]

I have a two year old Ranger boat. I took the boat to A fiberglass shop for a repair caused by an impact with a submerged tree.
Once the boat was raised off the trailer we found many dime sized blisters on the hull where it sets on the carpet bunks. These blisters are in an area equal to 1 per sq/in on 6" x 8' to 9' long.
The question is; does this need repair. Would a repair be more like a bandade on cancer?
I don't know if repair is urgent, or not. The manufacturer thinks it important enough to want me to bring it back to the factory. The shop that has the boat now, of course, thinks it's important enough because there's $1900.00 involved. The problem is the manufacturer thinks the other guy's price is too high. I'm now in the middle and looking for information so I can make a decision.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

I am real surprized that you have blisters on a 2 year old, trailer kept boat. That just should not happen.

You might repost this in the repair forum.

BTW - since Ranger is willing to pay for the repairs, they have some say in the cost of these. I would let them make the repairs.

BTW - I would ask Ranger to pay for the cost of applying an epoxy barrier coat over the entire bottom of the hull. If you do not do this, I predict blisters will appear on other parts of the hull, asfter it is out of warantee.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

Let Ranger handle it if its still under warranty.
Its a hassle to do the work upside down so it takes much longer to do a good job, it also depends on the hull color, dark colors or metal flake will be tougher than white, so $1,900 may be a fair price.

The bunks stay wet for a long time after each dunking and this type of contact can be worse than being under water.
If it was an older boat I wouldn't worry about it, blisters rarely become a structural issue and because of where they're located only the fish will see them.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

I totally agree with ondarvr
My boat has blisters as well but from being left in the water for a LONG time. POsted wuestions here and elsewhere, and spoke with a fiberglass man whom I trust.
All answers were the same. "blisters rarely become a structural issue and because of where they're located only the fish will see them."

Now if Ranger is gonna pay for it let em do it. Other than that just go boating.

 

[angler53]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

Thanks for the response, guy's.
This is one of those out of sight out of mind things and it certainly never effected me having fun, until I saw it, anyway.
Ranger wants to repair it even though it's clearly stated in the warranty that it's not covered. And that my friends is why I bought a Ranger.
Thanks again and have a great week.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

IF and WHEN you go to trade in or sell your boat this will have a great impact on the value of the boat. A good boat surveyor will spot the "defects" and report them, then it will become a bargaining point to LOWER the price or cancel the deal.
LET RANGER fix the issues NOW.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Blisters in gelcoat

IF and WHEN you go to trade in or sell your boat this will have a great impact on the value of the boat. A good boat surveyor will spot the "defects" and report them, then it will become a bargaining point to LOWER the price or cancel the deal.
LET RANGER fix the issues NOW.

Disagree, a good surveyor will report it as blemish only and not structural. A dishonest surveyor will report it as a serious problem.